Manager, Entertainment Operations

CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS LLC•Austin, TX

just now•Onsite

About The Position

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is a 365-entertainment destination for world-class events located in Austin, TX. The sports and entertainment portfolio at COTA is unmatched in the country with Formula 1 US Grand Prix, NASCAR and MotoGP attracting global fans during championship races on the famed Circuit and Live Nation producing over 30 headline concerts every year at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater. Opening Summer of 2025, COTA’s amusement park is a 20-acre theme park featuring two first of their kind Roller Coasters and over three dozen rides. The Manager, Entertainment Operations is a senior operational leadership role responsible for supporting the launch, daily execution, and long-term sustainability of the Entertainment department at COTALAND Theme Park. Reporting to the Vice President of Entertainment, this position provides administrative oversight, operational planning, and cross-functional coordination to ensure entertainment offerings are delivered safely, consistently, and at a high standard of show quality. This role requires a leader who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing staffing, scheduling, onboarding, documentation, and department systems, while also maintaining a strong understanding of creative intent and performance quality. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who can shape performances and elevate show quality, then shift seamlessly into an administrative and operational leadership role with a strong focus on driving day-to-day execution, staffing, and business operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent professional experience in theme park entertainment, live events, theatrical production, or guest experience operations.
Minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in entertainment operations, live production, theme park leadership, or related fields.
Strong operational leadership experience including staffing, scheduling, onboarding, training coordination, payroll/timekeeping oversight, and daily execution management.
Hands-on experience as a show director and/or choreographer is required, including leading rehearsals, staging, and performance coaching.
Demonstrated ability to build and manage systems, processes, and documentation in a fast-paced environment.
Experience working cross-functionally with multiple departments and balancing priorities across park operations.
Strong communication skills, high attention to detail, and ability to maintain organization under pressure.
Vendor coordination experience preferred, including working with contracted entertainment services and production partners.
Proficiency with scheduling tools, Microsoft Office and general operational planning systems.
Ability to stand, sit, use hands to handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms.
Ability to lift and/ or move up to 25 pounds.
Ability to squat, bend, twist, push/pull.
Ability to stand/walk for long periods.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.
Work in extreme environments outdoors throughout the year.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud during events.
Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and peak seasonal periods as required.
Ability to stand, walk, and work on-site for extended periods in indoor and outdoor environments.
Ability to safely participate in rehearsals and staging environments, including stairs, platforms, and backstage conditions.
Must be able to work in an active theme park environment, including indoor and outdoor locations.
Must be comfortable working in varying weather conditions, nighttime conditions, and high guest-volume situations.
Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods and move throughout the park to support operations.
Must be comfortable around loud noise levels, music, and live performance environments.
Must be available to work a flexible schedule based on park operating hours and business needs.
Availability must include weekends, holidays, early mornings, late evenings, and seasonal event peak periods.

Nice To Haves

Vendor coordination experience preferred, including working with contracted entertainment services and production partners.
Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent professional experience in theme park entertainment, live events, theatrical production, or guest experience operations.

Responsibilities

Support the development, launch, and ongoing operation of entertainment offerings including live shows, character experiences, atmosphere entertainment, ceremonies, seasonal events, special activations, and park-wide festivals.
Support planning and operational execution for entertainment-led events, seasonal offerings, and festivals, including run-of-show development, staffing plans, logistics coordination, and on-site leadership.
Oversee day-to-day Entertainment department operations to ensure programming is guest-ready, properly staffed, and executed on schedule.
Manage administrative functions for the department including staffing communications, documentation, reporting, and operational follow-through on deadlines and deliverables.
Create and maintain weekly schedules, entertainment deployment plans, rehearsal calendars, and run-of-show documents to support daily park operations.
Oversee casting logistics and onboarding of Entertainment staff, including audition coordination, selection processes, hiring support, orientation, and training readiness.
Lead onboarding and training coordination for Entertainment staff, ensuring consistent guest service standards, performance expectations, and operational procedures are understood and followed.
Track labor needs, staffing plans, and shift coverage to support seasonal peaks, special events, festivals, and changing park operating hours.
Provide payroll oversight for the Entertainment department, including timecard review, accuracy verification, labor compliance support, and coordination with Payroll/HR to resolve discrepancies.
Partner with the Vice President of Entertainment on staffing strategy, performance management, and maintaining a scalable structure as the department grows.
Maintain entertainment operational standards including rehearsal processes, show notes, performance coaching practices, and guest interaction guidelines.
Provide leadership presence in the park to monitor execution, support troubleshooting, and ensure show quality and operational consistency.
Coordinate closely with park departments including Landscaping and Horticulture, Ride Operations, Food and Beverage, Merchandise, Security, Park Operations, and Marketing to ensure entertainment is integrated into park-wide operating plans and guest flow needs.
Partner with Technical Entertainment, Costuming, Scenic, and Facilities to support entertainment readiness, including props, costumes, scenic elements, equipment needs, maintenance follow-up, and operational sign-offs.
Support vendor and contractor coordination as needed, including schedules, performance expectations, and day-to-day execution requirements.
Assist with budget awareness and resource planning, including tracking program needs, identifying operational efficiencies, and supporting purchasing and approvals.
Support marketing and communications partners with operational coordination related to launches, media moments, and scheduled entertainment activations.
Maintain consistent department organization, communication rhythm, and operational accountability to support safe and successful daily execution.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Entertainment.
Support the Manager of Entertainment Production with maintaining show standards to ensure entertainment remains polished, consistent, and brand aligned.
Help reinforce show quality by supporting ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance consistency while ensuring rehearsal and performance processes remain efficient and operationally sustainable.
Partner with the Manager of Entertainment Production to help build a reliable and supportive Entertainment team by promoting clear expectations, consistent communication, and a positive rehearsal and performance environment.
Lead with professionalism, accountability, and clear communication to support a stable and high-performing entertainment team.
Create a supportive and structured environment where staff understand expectations and have the tools to succeed.
Be a calm, solutions-oriented leader who can manage real-time operational challenges and maintain guest experience standards.