Executive Director

VenuWorks of Ottumwa LLC

About Us

VenuWorks of Ottumwa, LLC., an employee-owned private management company, is located in the vibrant community of Ottumwa Iowa, home to a diverse community with a deep pride in the area. Ottumwa Iowa is a major agricultural and industrial hub, famous for its historic "loose meat" sandwiches at Canteen Lunch in the Alley opened in 1927, and its location on the Des Moines River ("tumbling water"). Recreation features include “The Beach Ottumwa” water park and various walking tours including the Civil War Trail where you can stroll or bike along Ottumwa’s 16 miles of scenic river trails, visit the iconic American Gothic House & Center, and browse for unique finds in charming local shops.

VenuWorks operates the Bridge View Center on behalf of the City of Ottumwa and features several spaces including a 664-seat theater space that hosts around 44-50 events annually including dance schools, the community symphony, Sesame Street Live!, and touring concerts including The Texas Tenors, Simon & Garfunkel Story, and many others; a conference space divisible into 5 small rooms or one large 7,000 sq ft room; and a 30,000 square foot expo hall that can be divided into three 10,000 square feet sections, annually hosting more than 300 events including circuses; a regional rodeo; concerts including Cole Swindell, Mannheim Steamroller, Foreigner and other commercial touring artists; banquets, weddings, and quinceañeras; and many local and national conventions and trade shows. The Bridge View Center additionally features a full-service kitchen that recently received a significant capital investment.

VenuWorks seeks an Executive Director that embraces an employee-owner model of leadership including the following qualities: (a) a servant LEADER that sets the pace and values leading a group of professionals and encourages growth, learning and development; (b) a COMMUNITY leader that builds relationships and engages with the contract administrators, City leaders, and community stakeholders in a positive and uplifting manner; (c) a COMMUNICATOR with strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, ability to multi-task and has strong organizational ability; (d) and a BUSINESS leader that can perform effectively under significant pressure typically associated with the timetables of the live entertainment industry and also manage the operating and financial decisions in a competitive SE Iowa market.

Summary

The Ottumwa Executive Director is an events professional in the industry that will oversee the management, promotion, and operation of the venue in all facets including operations, sales, marketing, finance, food and beverage, security, IT, production, technology, capital projects, partnerships, special events, community relations, sustainability, branding, and all other related departments. The Executive Director is responsible for shaping the overall culture, direction, coordination, and evaluation of the team and facility. This executive will also be responsible for maximizing the number of events and revenue opportunities at the venue and will work in unison with City of Ottumwa and community stakeholders to maximize the amount of regional and national events taking place in those managed venues.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with the contract administrator(s), Bridge View Center Advisory Board, City of Ottumwa departments, Meet Ottumwa CVB, facility clients, community stakeholders, live event industry decision makers, and community and civic organizations.
• Provide cohesive and positive leadership and direction to all departments and VenuWorks staff.
• Aggressively promote the use of the facility with agents, promoters, meeting planners, national governing bodies, and community groups to maximize the number of annual events in each venue. Negotiate lease agreements with meeting planners, third-party organizations, event organizers, and promoters.
• Serve as the primary fiscal oversight officer including budget development, overview of financial and accounting reporting, financial projections and controls, and personnel management.
• Provide oversite and administration for each of the operating units ensuring safe operation, properly maintained and clean properties including financial management, sales & marketing, operations, programming, and community relations.
  
  

Other Duties And Responsibilities

• Seek out community involvement opportunities including speaking engagements, media interviews and other public appearances. Represent VenuWorks in a positive manner to the community, convention and hospitality industries, colleges and universities, and other agencies.
• Monitor VenuWorks' compliance with all provisions of the management contract.
• Negotiate contractual agreements as determined necessary and in the best interests of the venue.
• Provide final approval of all contracts and agreements with licensees, vendors, suppliers for necessary activities and services at the facility.
• Complete annual reporting and communicate successes to stakeholders and clients.
• Research, develop, and maintain relationships with artist agents, artist management as well as local, regional and national promoters. Initiate and oversee programming for all managed venues, securing contracts for concerts, sporting tournaments, conventions and events, receptions and exhibitions.
• Provide guidance and direction on marketing and ticket operations to maximize sales for every event.
• Provide guidance and direction for maximizing revenues related to sponsorships, grants, donations, naming rights and vendor trade.
• Provide oversite and management of food and beverage operations and staff including full-service catering and concessions.
• Recruit, train, supervise and evaluate administrative and supervisory staff.
• Plan, organize, coordinate and direct all activities and staff engaged in maintaining and operating the venues.
• Complete continuous performance appraisals for staff and make annual salary/bonus recommendations.
• Conduct leadership and staff meetings on a consistent basis.
• Direct the development and administer the execution of facility operating budgets.
• Oversee and advise on any necessary revisions/modification to the staffing plans, including number and types of employees, essential functions, salaries, and benefits.
• Responsible for creating an exceptional working environment for all VenuWorks staff.
• Greet the general public and clients in a courteous manner, directing guests to the appropriate person or area.
• Maintain daily oversite of all operations and event activity assuring successful coordination and attainment of annual goals.
• Ensure efficient and effective operations including planning for capital maintenance and improvement projects.
• Ensure the operations of the venues are conducted in accordance with applicable local, state and federal regulations.
• Oversee staff compliance with all OSHA, NFPA and other risk mitigation initiatives and comply with VenuWorks insurance reporting policies.
• Maintain emergency preparedness within venues, along with compliance with licensing procedures, codes, and permits.
• Oversee specific plans and programs prescribed by VenuWorks’ corporate direction to include Human Resources, Sales and Marketing, quality assurance, operational efficiency, safety/emergency procedures, and crowd control.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct reports include multiple director and manager level full-time personnel.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must have the ability to work varied hours/days, including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.
• A demonstrated ability to follow directions and complete assigned tasks with a minimum amount of instruction and supervision is essential.
• Ability to organize workflow and meet established deadlines.
• Skilled in meeting and/or exceeding the expectations, being articulate with well-developed communication skills and personal poise.
• This position requires excellent teamwork skills, working cooperatively with others in the accomplishment of joint tasks and common objectives.
• Contributes to a positive work environment, fosters collaboration and provides a tangible contribution.
  
  

EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year College or university in applicable discipline and at least two (2) years’ experience in the management of a similar facility, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of current management and staff leadership principles.
• Demonstrated knowledge of public assembly facility management operations, including fiscal control, policy development, marketing, and event management.
• A demonstrated ability to follow directions and complete assigned tasks with a minimum of instruction and supervision is essential.
  
  

CERTIFICATES / LICENSES / REGISTRATIONS

• Certified Venue Executive (CVE), Certified Venue Professional (CVP), and/or other similar professional designation(s) preferred.
  
  

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations.
• Ability to speak in public, both in person and via various media outlets.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to speak and understand English.
  
  

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts, interest, commission, proportions, and percentages and apply them to practical situations.
  
  

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to solve complex problems with sensitivity and diplomacy, while displaying decisive executive leadership.
• Ability to define problems, evaluate data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to maintain a calm, composed presence in an often fast-paced environment where multiple tasks, events and stimulus may occur simultaneously.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach with hands and arms; stand; walk; use fingers to finger, handle or feel; and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; and outside weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
  
  

CONCLUSION

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. This is not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

VenuWorks is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.