Deputy Director, Arts & Entertainment

City of Tuscaloosa•Tuscaloosa, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this classification is to provide operational leadership for the City’s arts and entertainment venues and related services and to provide support to the Executive Director of Arts & Entertainment. This position oversees day-to-day venue and event operations; supervises assigned staff; coordinates operational budgeting, scheduling, facility readiness, contractor performance, and event execution; and ensures safe, efficient, and high-quality service delivery. This classification is authorized to act on behalf of the Executive Director as directed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, hospitality management, arts administration, event management, marketing, or a related field required
five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in venue operations, event operations, facility management, public assembly venue management, arts and entertainment administration, or a related field
including at least two (2) years of supervisory or management experience
or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Experience in multi-venue operations and/or coordinating large public events is preferred.

Responsibilities

Acts for the Executive Director during absences by maintaining continuity of operations, representing the Department on operational matters, and coordinating with internal departments, contractors, clients, and stakeholders.
Manages the daily operations of City arts and entertainment venues and related services, including the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Amphitheater Box Office, and Tuscaloosa River Market; organizes and prioritizes operational workload; assigns work; monitors progress; reviews completed work; and resolves issues to maintain event readiness, facility functionality, and customer service standards.
Will work as Assistant General Manager at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater and manage the overall coordination between staff, event staff, production, tours, VIP Box Holders and sponsors on behalf of the venue.
Supervises, coaches, trains, and evaluates assigned staff; processes employee concerns; develops work schedules and staffing plans in coordination with the Executive Director; coordinates recruitment, onboarding, cross-training, succession planning, and performance management for full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal, and event staff; and ensures adequate staffing coverage and continuity of operations.
Assists in the development and implementation of department policies, procedures, and operational standards; monitors compliance and recommends revisions based on operational experience and industry best practices; and promotes consistent, high-quality service delivery across venues.
Coordinates and oversees operational planning and execution for concerts, community events, rentals, markets, and other facility uses; manages venue setup, turnover, event support, and post-event restoration; identifies and recommends staffing, equipment, security, custodial, maintenance, and logistical needs; and monitors venue calendars and operational schedules to support efficient facility utilization and successful event delivery; and serves as the department’s lead internal coordinator for event execution, particularly for high-profile, high-risk, or strategically significant events, in coordination with the Executive Director.
Manages box office operations, including coordination with ticketing systems, event settlements, patron access needs, and related customer service activities; assists in maintaining appropriate cash handling and internal control procedures in coordination with Accounting and Finance and established City policies.
Coordinates routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance for assigned venues, systems, and equipment; inspects facilities and public areas to ensure safety, cleanliness, accessibility, and readiness; identifies repair and replacement needs; initiates and follows up on service requests; and assists the Executive Director with capital maintenance and improvement planning, including operational needs, scopes, priorities, scheduling, and coordination with City departments and contractors.
Monitors and enforces venue condition and readiness standards established by the Executive Director.
Supports the Executive Director in strategic planning by providing operational data, performance analyses, and recommendations regarding venue utilization, programming, and resource allocation.
Serves as the primary operational liaison to City support departments and third-party service providers, including IT, custodial, landscaping, maintenance, utilities, parking, security, and related support services; coordinates assigned services; and monitors scheduling, performance, and service delivery.
Develops, implements, and monitors operational procedures related to safety, crowd management, emergency response, evacuation, lost child response, facility access, and incident reporting; coordinates with police, fire, EMS, security personnel, and emergency management partners on event and venue response plans; and ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, permits, safety standards, accessibility requirements, and City policies.
Assists in developing, maintaining, and testing venue emergency action plans; activates emergency response protocols as the on-site authority during events when the Executive Director is not present.
Supports venue certification, permitting, and regulatory compliance activities as assigned; maintains occupancy documentation and coordinates inspection schedules with regulatory authorities.
Assists in developing the department’s operational budget; monitors operating expenditures, event-related revenues, and expenses; reviews invoices, purchase requests, settlements, reconciliations, and related documentation within delegated authority; tracks budget and event performance; and recommends adjustments based on operational needs and trends.
Coordinates operational contracts, service agreements, and vendor relationships within delegated authority; monitors service delivery and contractor performance; documents deficiencies; and recommends corrective action or changes as needed.
Prepares and maintains operational records, reports, schedules, logs, and related documentation concerning staffing, facilities, contracts, incidents, maintenance, events, budget activity, attendance, utilization, and performance; prepares post-event operational data, recaps, and draft analyses for the Executive Director's review; and recommends improvements to efficiency, patron experience, earned revenue support, and resource allocation.
Assists in overseeing department technology, applications, and recordkeeping systems to ensure accurate, secure, and timely operational data entry and reporting in accordance with City policies.
Responds to operational inquiries, complaints, and service issues from staff, clients, vendors, officials, and the public; resolves issues within authority; and escalates strategic, policy, legal, or politically sensitive matters to the Executive Director.
Attends meetings and serves on committees as assigned.
Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities.
Must meet regular attendance requirements.
Evening, weekend, holiday, and extended-hour work are regularly required based on event schedules, seasonal peaks, and emergency situations.
Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, public officials, clients, contractors, and citizens.
Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, in a timely manner.
Performs other related duties as required.