Head of Operations (Entertainment Venue)

Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG)

$170K — $210K *
Hospitality & Recreation
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in venue operations, hospitality, live entertainment, or similar roles.
  • Experience managing complex customer-facing businesses across hospitality and programming.
  • Proven track record in P&L responsibility and driving financial performance.
  • Strong financial and analytical skills, with executive reporting experience.
  • Understanding of service standards and operational execution for safety and accountability.
  • Experience as a senior escalation point for operational issues.
  • Ability to implement improvements for efficiency and guest satisfaction.

Responsibilities

  • Own overall venue performance, including revenue and guest satisfaction.
  • Serve as the primary partner to corporate leadership for operational insights.
  • Lead budgeting, forecasting, and performance reviews with proactive reporting.
  • Drive financial discipline across various operational models and performance metrics.
  • Identify revenue expansion opportunities beyond standard offerings.
  • Ensure high operational standards and compliance during live events.
  • Support workforce planning and foster a high-accountability culture.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage; HSA and FSA eligibility.
  • 401k Employer Match at 4%.
  • Competitive PTO policy & Company Holidays.
  • Parental leave policy eligible after 6 months of service.
  • Access to events at Barclays Center, subject to ticket availability.
Full Job Description
In order to be considered for this role, after clicking "Apply Now" above and being redirected, you must fully complete the application process on the follow-up screen.

SUMMARY The Head of Operations is the senior leader for a live-entertainment and premium hospitality venue in Manhattan, with direct responsibility for overall business results, day-to-day venue management, and exceptional guest experience. The success of the business will rely heavily on this individual's leadership, operational discipline, and ability to translate strategy into consistent execution. The Head of Operations is accountable for financial performance, reporting, and partnership with corporate leadership. This is a rare opportunity to step into a top-of-house operating role at a distinctive entertainment venue-one that values creative excellence, exceptional guest experience, and operational rigor. This leader will help shape not only how the venue operates day-to-day, but also how the business scales over time. WHAT YOU WILL DO Business & Financial Ownership Own the P&L, reporting, and operating cadence
  • Own overall venue performance, including revenue, labor, operating expenses, profitability, and guest satisfaction
  • Serve as the primary operating partner to corporate leadership, providing clear reporting, insights, and recommendations
  • Lead budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, KPI development, and rigorous performance reviews; proactively surface insights, risks, and opportunities
  • Drive financial discipline across labor models, throughput, show utilization, and F&B performance
  • Identify and pursue revenue expansion opportunities beyond core ticketing and F&B, including private rentals, buyouts, special events and retail
  • Coordinate with the Partnerships team to identify and evaluate commercial opportunities that align with the brand, guest experience and operational capacity
Venue & Operating Leadership Set the standard for execution in a live environment
  • Translate strategic vision into disciplined execution across show operations, food & beverage, guest services, security, and facilities
  • Act as the senior escalation point for complex operational, guest, safety, or staffing issues
  • Ensure consistent operating standards, service quality, and compliance in a live entertainment and hospitality environment
  • Manage the onsite staff, setting clear expectations, decision rights, and operating rhythms across the venue, show and hospitality teams
  • Support workforce planning, leadership development, and a high-accountability operating culture
  • Partner with creative and programming leaders to align show flow, timing, and atmosphere with operational and financial goals
  • Ensure a seamless, high-quality guest journey from arrival through departure
Scalability & Growth Build the operating model for what comes next
  • Build scalable systems, processes, and operating playbooks to support growth and future venues
  • Identify opportunities to standardize and improve execution without compromising creative integrity
  • Play a key role in preparing the organization for multi-venue expansion over time
WHAT YOU WILL BRING
  • 15+ years of experience in venue operations, hospitality, live entertainment, location-based entertainment, or a related operating leadership role
  • Experience overseeing complex, customer-facing businesses with multiple operating functions, including hospitality, guest services, and live programming. Experience opening a new venue is a plus.
  • Proven track record of owning a P&L and driving financial and operational performance
  • Strong financial and analytical skills, with experience in reporting to executive leadership and/or ownership
  • Strong understanding of service standards, operational execution, safety protocols, and management accountability across departments
  • Experience serving as a senior point of escalation for operational, guest, staffing, or incident-related matters
  • Familiarity with live entertainment and hospitality-integrated concepts where guest flow, timing, atmosphere, and programming must work together seamlessly
  • Experience identifying and implementing operational improvements that enhance efficiency, throughput, and guest satisfaction
  • Ability to balance business performance, team leadership, and guest experience in a dynamic operating environment
WHO YOU ARE
  • You think like an entrepreneur, take ownership, and hold yourself accountable for driving results.
  • A decisive, pragmatic operator who blends strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
  • Calm under pressure, sound in judgment, and able to make thoughtful decisions in a fast-moving operating environment
  • A clear communicator who can effectively engage ownership, leadership, frontline staff, and cross-functional partners
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to maintaining high standards across service, operations, and safety
  • Solutions-oriented and proactive, with a continuous focus on improving the business, supporting the team, and elevating the guest experience
  • Willing and able to work non-traditional hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays during operating periods
COMPENSATION $170,000 - $210,000 base salary + Performance-Based Incentive

Full-time employees are eligible for a robust slate of total rewards, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage; HSA and FSA eligibility
  • 401k Employer Match at 4%
  • Competitive PTO policy & Company Holidays
  • Parental leave policy eligible after 6 months of service
  • Access to events at Barclays Center, subject to ticket availability
WORK ENVIRONMENT Works primarily onsite at the venue.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG)

More Hospitality & Recreation Jobs

Find similar Head of Operations (Entertainment Venue) jobs: