Venue Director

The Loretto Heights Venue Director provides executive leadership for all venue operations and serves as the primary liaison between the venue operator (Community College of Denver (CCD)) and venue owner (Denver Arts & Venues (DAV)). This position oversees budget management, community engagement, success metric tracking, and directs high-level staff and venue operations. The Venue Director represents the venue externally by building relationships with partners, users, and audiences. They are responsible for overall staff performance, customer service excellence, operational compliance and the alignment with the venue’s mission and vision as defined by the venue owner.

Operations at Loretto Heights are rooted in a workforce training and educational mission, using the venue as a hands‑on learning environment for students pursuing careers in venue management, live events, and production management. The ideal candidate will bring an open mind, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for mentoring and educating emerging professionals through a well‑rounded, real‑world training program. Success in this role requires a commitment to balancing operational excellence with student development while advancing Loretto Heights' mission of community‑centered programming and equitable access to arts, culture, education, and events for all.

Duties & Responsibilities:

External relations & representation

• Serve as the primary liaison between CCD and DAV, maintaining a strong and productive working relationship
• Represent the venue as a visible engaged ambassador to partners, artists, audiences and the broader metro‑Denver community
• Build and sustain relationships with businesses, civic, and arts organizations that strengthen the venues community standing
• Position the venue as a vital cultural resource that responds to community needs through performing arts

Sales & operations management

• Direct day‑to‑day venue operations, including scheduling, rentals, box office, production, and guest services
• Manage and oversee the sales & booking efforts of the venue to maximize event bookings while avoiding scheduling conflicts
• Establish and refine operational policies and procedures that support a welcoming and efficient experience for audiences, artists and renters, in line with DAV operational standards
• Ensure operational compliance with CCD and DAV requirements and standards, including community access, workforce training, and financial sustainability.

Financial oversight

• Manage the venue’s annual budget and monitor performance against financial goals
• Drive earned revenue through rentals, ticket sales, sponsorship and other income streams
• Partner with DAV on future capital improvement projects needs and projections.

Staff leadership

• Lead, motivate, supervise and evaluate venue staff to build a collaborative, high performing team
• Assess staff needs and oversee recruitment, onboarding and professional development
• Set and uphold standards for staff performance and customer service excellence
• Mentor and lead student workers throughout their program time at the venue, setting a standard of excellence in teaching and training for all staff members

Success metrics & mission alignment

• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure the venue’s success
• Ensure venue operations and programming align with CCD and DAV’s mission, vision and strategic goals.
• Present to public bodies as necessary related to the success and mission delivery of venue operations.

Competencies/KSAs:

• Demonstrated effective team management skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute short- and long-term objectives
• Proven ability in financial management, including budgeting, fundraising and revenue generation
• Ability to communicate and work with a diverse constituency
• Strong organizational, collaborative, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work with diverse populations, internal (college and venue) and external (community)
• Ability to balance administrative, curricular, and instructional responsibilities concurrently
• Commitment to equity, access, and student success in a diverse, first‑generation student population
• Ability to work independently, troubleshoot, meet deadlines, and effectively manage assigned workload

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, non‑profit management, business or a related field or equivalent experience in performing arts venue management.

Experience: Four to seven years of experience at the Associate Director or Director level or above in performing arts, cultural, entertainment venue or non‑profit management, with demonstrated administrative leadership and management experience.

Equipment Used: Computer, MS Office Suite, learning management system, video conferencing, standard office equipment, front‑of‑house venue technology (scanners, printers, etc.), standard facility security systems.

Other Considerations:

• Position will require night, weekend, and holiday work as required by performance and event schedule.
• Additionally, alternative holiday flex schedule may be required to meet demand of venue of operations during times the college may officially observe holidays.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience:

• Executive Director, General Manager or equivalent in a performing arts setting.
• Preferred experience includes educational institution performing arts facility management.

Licensure/Certification: CVE or CVP certifications (or equivalent) via International Association of Venue Managers

Additional Information/Benefits:

Our campus is located in downtown Denver, adjacent to two light rail stations, and just minutes away from shopping, restaurants, and event venues. When you visit our campus, it will be immediately evident that our faculty, staff, and instructors are passionate about serving our diverse student population. At CCD our passion is to help others, and we offer career pathways that will make a difference in the lives of our students.

If you are interested in sharing our passion for student success, CCD offers generous medical, dental, vision, life, and retirement options. We also offer the opportunity to expand your education, and those of your dependents, through our tuition reimbursement program.

CCD is a Learning College where policies, programs and practices support learning as the major priority. The Community College of Denver is an Equal Employment Opportunity Educational Employer.

Background checks will be conducted on all finalists for employment consideration.

CCD recognizes that administration, faculty, instructors, and staff reflect the diversity of its students and community and prohibits employment and student discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.