Senior Project Manager – Cultural Projects

Turner & Townsend•Wide Ruins, AZ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Turner & Townsend Heery is seeking a Senior Project Manager for the national Cultural Projects team to serve as a senior advisor and peer partner to our existing cultural planning team. This role is oriented toward providing clients with executive-level strategy, organizational design, financial sustainability, and operational leadership for performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and community programming-focused organizations. This role places emphasis on executive leadership and organizational team structures, governance, business and operating models, operating and capital financials, operational readiness, fundraising strategy, public‑private relationships, and municipal engagement. The position also plays a critical role in early project planning for new and existing cultural facilities, supporting clients during pre‑design and pre‑development phases including visioning, needs assessment, operational concept development, phasing strategies, and alignment between mission, program, facility, and financial capacity. The role bridges owner representation, advisory consulting, and project leadership, serving as a strategic partner to clients as they plan, launch, expand, renovate, or transform cultural assets. Working in close coordination with complementary cultural projects Senior Project Manager(s), this position ensures that organizational readiness, governance frameworks, and long‑term sustainability are fully integrated with capital planning and design decision‑making from project inception through implementation.

Requirements

15+ years of progressive leadership experience within performing arts organizations, cultural institutions, festivals, or cultural consulting
Prior experience in an executive, deputy, or senior operational role (e.g., Executive Director, COO, VP, General Manager, or equivalent consulting role) strongly preferred
Deep understanding of performing arts center operations, business models, and municipal governance structures
Demonstrated expertise in financial planning, operating models, and organizational development
Skilled facilitator with strong consensus-building and conflict-resolution skills
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including comfort presenting to boards and executive stakeholders
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects concurrently
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, MS Project, and related project management and financial tools
Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; Master’s degree preferred
Proven experience leading feasibility studies, business planning, or operational strategy for cultural or performing arts organizations
Demonstrated success working within mission-driven, publicly engaged institutions
Advanced understanding of specialized requirements for performance venues and cultural campuses
Experience navigating public-private partnerships and complex stakeholder environments
Active participation in relevant professional organizations is preferred

Responsibilities

Advise clients on executive leadership structures, governance models, staffing plans, and organizational alignment for cultural institutions
Facilitate strategic planning processes for arts and cultural organizations, including visioning, mission alignment, and operational readiness
Serve as a trusted advisor to CEOs, Executive Directors, Board members, and municipal leadership
Lead development of operating pro formas, multi-year business plans, and long-term financial sustainability models
Analyze earned and contributed revenue streams including ticketing, rentals, sponsorships, philanthropy, and public funding
Support capital planning, lifecycle cost analysis, and alignment between capital investment and operational capacity
Advise on fundraising readiness, donor strategy alignment, and integration of development goals with facility and program planning
Evaluate event production, technical operations, front-of-house, and back-of-house functional requirements
Support clients in preparing for venue openings, festivals, major events, and operational transitions
Coordinate closely with programming leadership to ensure operational feasibility and financial alignment
Manage relationships with municipalities, public agencies, boards, funders, and community partners
Lead or support public engagement processes, workshops, and governance discussions
Represent Turner & Townsend Heery and clients in public forums, executive briefings, and stakeholder meetings
Provide senior project leadership across cultural planning, operational studies, and advisory engagements
Coordinate across internal and external teams including specialty disciplines of economic impact, cost estimation, design, and technical consultants as needed
Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and quality control in alignment with Turner & Townsend standards
Ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality deliverables and client communications
Lead or patriciate in development of executive-level reports, decision memoranda, and board-ready presentations
Translate complex financial and operational analysis into clear, actionable insights
Synthesize multidisciplinary inputs into cohesive strategic recommendations
Stay informed on national trends in performing arts operations, governance, and cultural facility management
Represent the firm through conference participation, speaking engagements, and professional organizations
Support proposal development, client interviews, and strategic pursuits within the cultural sector