Limited-Term Manager of Theater Operations

JOB LOCATION

14949 E Alameda Pkwy Aurora, Colorado 80012-1563

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Salary to be commensurate with experience

The hiring range for this position is $85,890 - $107,362/annually

This job posting will close Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 12:00am

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

The Aurora Fox Arts Center seeks an experienced, strategic, and steady leader to serve as a Limited-Term Manager of Theater Operations during a period of organizational transition. This limited-purpose role will provide essential day-to-day leadership, stabilize staff and operations, and guide both immediate and long-term planning efforts. The term of this position is anticipated to run through December 31, 2026.

Under the direction of the Director of Library and Cultural Services, the Limited-Term Manager of Theater Operations supervises the operations of the Aurora Fox Arts Center (AFAC) including two performance venues, box office, scene shop, other support areas and offices; serves as primary facility manager of the Aurora Fox Arts Center; participates in the development of and ensures adherence to adopted budgets for the facility, productions and other programming and monitors accounts payable and receivable; maintains records according to established policies and procedures and ensures that any data required by funders, auditors or other sources is collected and maintained in a professional manner.

The Limited-Term Manager of Theater Operations will ensure the successful continuation of the current producing season, support staff through change, and lead a comprehensive assessment of the Fox’s operating model. This work will inform FY2027 season planning, budget development, and recommendations for future organizational direction.

Limited-Term Employment Notice:

This position is a limited-term assignment with an anticipated end date of December 31, 2026. Employment in this role:

• Is not considered a “regular full-time employee” defined under city charter,
• Does not afford Career Service status,
• Does not provide Career Service rights as defined in city policy,
• Does not provide or guarantee continued employment beyond the stated end date,
• Is expected to end on December 31, 2026,
• Is an at-will position, and
• Will have work hours that vary based on operational needs and will require work on evenings and weekends.

This position is eligible for benefits in accordance with city policy.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide decisive, experienced leadership to stabilize operations during the current producing season.
• Identify and address immediate operational priorities to ensure all scheduled productions proceed as planned.
• Analyze current budget and year‑to‑date actuals; compare to historical data; identify areas of concern or opportunity and act as needed.
• Implement tracking systems and business processes to optimize performance and support organizational assessment.
• Evaluate current staffing structure and environment for sufficiency and make recommendations as needed.
• Model and reinforce city and Fox values in daily leadership.
• Align operations with city of Aurora practices, policies, and rules.
• Lead the development of the FY2027 season and budget using the current producing model as a baseline.
• Review historical attendance, facility usage, budgets, sponsorships, and other data to identify successful past practices.
• Assess resource needs (staffing, marketing, materials, production requirements) and recommend budget adjustments.
• Collaborate with city cultural leaders to identify shared priorities, efficiencies, and opportunities for greater impact.
• Develop and present a comprehensive analysis with recommendations to city staff.
• Establish metrics of success across artistic excellence, community impact, fiscal performance, and other priority areas.
• Evaluate expenses, earned revenue potential, contributed revenue (including SCFD support), market competition, and strategic positioning.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Performing Arts, Fine Arts, Theater Arts, or related field

Experience: 

• 10 years of professional experience in performing arts industry
• 3 years of supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Arts Management, Fine Arts, Business and/or Public Affairs or Administration
• Experience working for a government agency
• An accomplished professional record of performing arts management in a government or nonprofit setting
• Experience with fundraising, audience development and marketing
• An extensive network of professional contacts in the industry including managers, booking agencies and artists
• Experience supervising artists and non-artists
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion and experience working with diverse populations

Skills: 

• Strong interpersonal and managerial skills
• Skill in the use of windows-based programs, especially Microsoft Office
• Strong customer service skills
• Skill in customer relations, crisis communications management, public speaking and media relations
• Skill in checking information for accuracy and completeness and correcting errors

Abilities: 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials
• Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Direct and effectively supervise a diverse workforce
• Administer budgets
• Creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner
• Regular and predictable attendance
• Working in-person at the Aurora Fox Arts Center and other city locations 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Light to Medium work that may involve lifting a maximum of 30 pounds with or without assistance
• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of office equipment
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens
• Frequent walking, standing, pushing, pulling, and climbing

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions with exposure to dust and noise, may encounter fumes from certain chemicals

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel and menu driven databases as a part of the Library automated systems

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.