Director of Operations

Job Description SummaryThe Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (“The Clarice”) at the University of Maryland is the nationally recognized, innovative, collaborative and supportive home for UMD’s School of Music (SOM); the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS); and The Clarice’s own artistic platform, Clarice Presents; as well as The Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library (MSPAL). Together they create a welcoming, collaborative, and socially-conscious community for students, artists, and patrons. The Clarice leverages creativity, innovation, research, and engagement to entertain, inspire, and support artists, audiences, and students while driving positive change in its community. The Clarice cultivates artistic excellence and cultural citizenship while preserving creative and individual freedoms, acting as a leading cultural change agent, and contributing to the future of the arts on campus, locally, and nationally. In doing so, The Clarice strengthens the performing arts as a force for learning, research, community, and civic engagement, advancing the public good both on the UMD campus and beyond.
As part of The Clarice’s senior team, The Director of Operations directs The Clarice’s production, facilities, and operational activities to advance The Clarice’s mission. This includes overseeing performances and events presented by Clarice Presents, SOM, TDPS, and MSPAL, as well as related institutional priorities that include local and national collaborations. The Director of Operations is also responsible for overseeing facilities, production equipment and its maintenance, and a departmental budget to ensure adequate support for The Clarice’s activities and financial goals, including venue use by external or on-campus rentals. The Director of Operations, in collaboration with other Clarice senior staff and the Executive Director (ED), has a responsibility for building strong relationships with building residents, on-campus partners, and off-campus partners to help ensure The Clarice’s mission is realized and its production management, technical shops, landscape services, and facilities management activities adequately supports their performance, educational, and operational needs. The Director of Operations is expected to work in a highly collaborative way that recognizes the unique requirements of performing arts operations in both academic and non-academic environments.
Physical Demands: Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal. Must have the ability to lift and carry small parcels, packages and other items, to walk short distances, and travel to deliver and pick up materials.
Licenses/Certifications: N/A

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Ten (10) years of professional program management experience. Five (5) years of experience supervising or managing professional staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Knowledge of business acumen to understand key business drivers, organizational communications, and data.
Knowledge of organizational and unit performances measures.
Knowledge of the impact and implications of decisions on leadership objectives.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in data analytics and negotiation.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to research information and analyze/synthesize complex data and information to create reports and presentations with valid conclusions derived from various sources.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
Ability to develop and administer new policies and procedures.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Additional Job Details

Preferences:

• Thorough knowledge of current practices and procedures in a professional performing arts technical or production management
• Strong familiarity with current performing arts facilities, equipment and technologies
• Professional experience in performing arts management in a University setting

Required Application Materials: Resume, Cover Letter, List of References

Best Consideration Date: November 2, 2026

Posting Close Date: November 9, 2026

Open Until Filled: NA

Job RisksNot Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure RequiredYes

DepartmentARHU-Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

Worker Sub-Type Staff Regular

Salary Range$135,600 - $145,000

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination NoticeResources

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