In anticipation of the Colburn Center’s 2027 opening, the Colburn School seeks a dynamic, operational, and collaborative General Manager for the new Performances & Events Division which will include production staff, technical crew, front of house personnel, and Events and Rentals staff. The GM will lead operations and business development across Colburn’s world class venues, optimizing the use of every space with outstanding performances and events that reflect our mission and support financial sustainability. The GM will support the expansion of Colburn’s performance/event venues as a premier, secure, and welcoming environment for our students, professional artists, and community.

The GM will ensure exceptional artist and patron experiences while balancing Colburn's educational mission with sustainable earned revenue through rentals, co-presentations, and special events. The GM will oversee campus events across venues including Zipper Hall (400+ seats), Thayer Hall (200 seats), and the new Colburn Center spaces opening in 2027: Kohl Hall (1000+ seats), Studio Theater (100 seats), garden spaces, and additional rehearsal and performance spaces throughout the campus. Event management includes student performances, Colburn presented guest artists, community events, public performances presented by external partners, as well as special events, rentals and conferences.

Reporting to both the CEO and CFOO, the GM will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team. With the new Colburn Center’s opening season beginning fall 2027, the GM will collaborate with Colburn's senior administrative and academic leadership to build a staff as well as policies and procedures to ensure a successful opening and subsequent seasons. Working with department heads and external clients, the GM will ensure that all events are professionally managed and aligned with institutional goals. The role focuses on providing infrastructure, staffing, operational systems, and supporting the artistic programming, and requires a high level of organizational leadership, strong interdepartmental communication, and comprehensive venue management skills.

Responsibilities

Campuswide Event & Venue Oversight

Provide strategic and operational oversight for all presented and rental events across all Colburn School venues, including performance halls, rehearsal spaces, and public areas, coordinating between Production, Events and Rentals, Artistic Operations, Facilities, Marketing, Philanthropy, Security, and Finance.
Ensure effective venue utilization for programming, special events, student use, and external rentals.
Oversee long-term venue planning, capital improvement projects, upgrades to event spaces to enhance functionality, accessibility, and patron experience, and collaborate with institution-wide Engineering team regarding ongoing repairs and maintenance efforts (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, pest control, security, cleaning, trash).
Oversee the planning and operational delivery of all internal academic, educational, and institutional events in partnership with the Educational Division, ensuring alignment with academic schedules and program needs.
Work collaboratively with school departments and outside partners to align space usage with institutional priorities and artistic vision.

Programming & Event Operations

Oversee day-to-day operations and logistics for all presented events and series, including scheduling, contracting, budgeting, and production coordination
Serve as the principal liaison with internal and external partners, including visiting guest artists, student groups, faculty, and external clients
Ensure all events are executed at the highest production, hospitality and artistic standards
Manage calendars and production schedules in collaboration with organization-wide scheduling systems
Participate in curatorial discussions regarding feasibility, logistical implications, and ticket revenue potential of programmatic ideas

Financial & Contractual Management

Develop and manage annual budgets for the Performance and Events division in alignment with institutional priorities
Collaborate with Finance on event forecasts and flash reports
Establish and update rental pricing models by venue
Drive external rentals and maximize calendar utilization to meet and exceed earned revenue targets
Work closely with Marketing on ticket revenue, rental revenue, and ancillary revenue goals, and monitor results
Negotiate and execute production contracts, and rental partnerships
Monitor cash flow, track expenses and revenue projections, and contribute to financial reports and audits
Seek cost-effective operational efficiencies without compromising artistic goals
Grow ancillary revenue streams, e.g. facility fees, box office services, concessions, merchandise, sponsorships, and parking

Leadership

Lead and mentor a team of department leaders and staff in the Performance and Events Division, including production staff, technical crew, events and rentals staff, and front of house personnel
Establish clear performance benchmarks and professional development opportunities for direct reports

External & Campus Relations

Develop relationships with community arts organizations, touring producers, corporate clients, and civic partners
Represent the Performances & Events Division in planning meetings and vendor negotiations
Support fundraising and donor cultivation efforts related to the Performances & Events Division
Foster a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and mutual respect among staff, students, faculty, and visiting artists
Ensure regulatory compliance with safety, labor laws, and institutional policies

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, music, theatre, or related field required, advanced degree preferred
7+ years' experience required in an executive role in performing arts venue management, preferably in a concert hall, university, or conservatory environment
Multi-venue experience desired
Experience supervising technical, administrative, and production teams in live performance settings
Proven track record of maximizing venue utilization and generating earned revenue

Skills & Attributes:

Deep knowledge of performing arts
Strong project management, financial acumen, and contract negotiation skills
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
Grace under pressure, tactful diplomacy, and a sense of humor
High emotional intelligence and ability to work with artists, students, and patrons
Proficiency in budgeting tools, production software, and Microsoft Office Suite
Knowledge of ticketing and CRM systems

Essential Functions

Physical:

Must be able to see, hear, feel, and use hands to type and grasp objects with fingers
Must be able to stand, sit, walk, climb stairs, lift, carry, and pull up to 40 pounds
Light to heavy repetitive use of hands, wrists and forearms while working on a computer

Emotional:

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships involving interactions, and communications personally, by phone, and in writing with a variety of individuals and/or groups of individuals from diverse backgrounds on a regular, ongoing basis
Ability to concentrate on detailed tasks for extended periods of time and/or intermittently while attending to other responsibilities
Ability to work effectively under pressure and multiple tasks concurrently while meeting established deadlines and changing priorities

Working Conditions:

Ability to work in various environments including theatre, office, and outdoor settings
Ability to work in dark/ low light conditions
This is a full-time, on-site position, in Downtown Los Angeles
Must be available for evening and weekend events
Fast-paced performing arts campus environment

About the Colburn School

The Colburn School is a world-renowned performing arts institution located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Its mission is to provide the highest quality performing arts education at all levels of development in music and dance, and to foster a vibrant community through a wide range of performances, events, and educational activities.

The academic units of the school include:

Conservatory of Music is a diploma / degree-granting Music Conservatory distinguished by a unique all-scholarship model, renowned faculty, and outstanding performance opportunities. It prepares the very highest level of collegiate musicians for professional careers.

The Music Academy is a highly selective training program for gifted young pre-collegiate musicians, designed to prepare students for conservatory study and performing careers at the highest levels of achievement. This residential program balances performance, musical instruction, and academics.

The Community School of Performing Arts welcomes students of all ages, from seven months old to adults. It offers over 120 classes each year in orchestral instruments, piano, guitar, voice, jazz, music theory, drama, and ensembles including orchestra, choir, and chamber music.

The Trudl Zipper Dance Institute develops performers of all levels, from the pre-professional ballet program in the Dance Academy to beginners starting in Youth Dance. Students of all levels receive training in ballet, tap, and modern genres as part of a comprehensive dance education.

Center for Innovation and Community Impact was created to empower the musical and dance leaders of tomorrow by nurturing students’ passion and ability to serve their communities, preparing them for sustainable careers, and embracing the development of new ideas. The Colburn School partners with 15 LAUSD schools, to provide interactive and engaging concerts and instructional sessions to 5,000 students annually.

Compensation & Benefits

$165,000 - $300,000

Medical, dental, vision, LTD, STD, Life, vacation, sick pay, 403(b) plan w/generous matching contribution.

General Manager of Performances and Events Division

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