About this role
Position Summary
The Director of Entertainment Operations provides strategic, financial, technical, and operational leadership for Department 27. This role is responsible for the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of all entertainment programming, talent acquisition, technical production, audio and lighting systems, and vendor partnerships.
The position directly impacts revenue generation, guest experience, brand perception, and risk management for the organization and its member properties. The Director operates with a broad strategic mandate while maintaining hands-on oversight of high-value technical assets and live entertainment operations.
Scope of Responsibility & Business Impact
This position functions as a senior leadership role with full accountability for:
Departmental financial performance and cost control
Revenue-driven entertainment programming
Protection, optimization, maintenance and upgrades of high-value technical infrastructure
Vendor pricing, service levels, and long-term cost exposure
Contractual, insurance, and operational compliance
Decisions made in this role materially affect guest satisfaction, dwell time, beverage sales, property bookings, and member property relationships.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Department Oversight
Provide executive-level oversight of all Department 27 operations.
Maintain a strategic, big-picture view of departmental performance and implement course corrections as needed.
Continuously improve entertainment offerings to enhance guest experience and member property value.
Serve as the primary point of contact for entertainment-related requests from member properties.
Lead and execute special projects as assigned by executive leadership.
Financial Management & Budget Administration
Create, manage, and maintain the annual Department 27 operating budget.
Track all departmental spending and ensure fiscal accountability.
Forecast future departmental expenses and operational needs.
Create and submit capital expenditure (CAPEX) requests for infrastructure and equipment improvements.
Seek out and secure sponsorship opportunities to offset operating costs and enhance programming.
Negotiate vendor pricing, long-term agreements, and preferred service arrangements.
Establish FSE as an authorized dealer with national vendors to secure substantial discounts and preferred service levels.
Performance & Compensation Impact: Acts as a financial steward for a high-cost department, directly protecting the organization from unnecessary spending while generating savings and external funding opportunities.
Talent Buying & Entertainment Programming
Serve as Talent Buyer for nightly entertainment and headliner shows.
Seek out, evaluate, and secure new talent acquisition sources.
Review, approve, and execute all entertainment contracts.
Build, manage, and maintain exclusive FSE house bands.
Oversee nightly acts and DJs to ensure consistent performance quality.
Create and maintain entertainment calendars and schedules.
Select and program all mall music content.
Performance & Compensation Impact: Programming decisions directly influence foot traffic, dwell time, guest engagement, and downstream revenue for member properties.
Technical Production & Systems Oversight
Provide technical advances for all headliner shows.
Create or approve all audio and lighting designs for FSE stages.
Oversee procurement, installation, maintenance, and repair of all audio and lighting equipment.
Approve and coordinate all technical upgrades and infrastructure installations.
Oversee mall audio programming, DSP configuration, specialized cues, and stage feed integration.
Work closely with Show Operations to ensure stages, canopy, and mall audio systems operate reliably.
Performance & Compensation Impact: Holds accountability for mission-critical technical systems with high replacement value and significant reputational risk.
Leadership & Technical Guidance
Provide technical and operational leadership to the Ent Ops Manager, Supervisors, Technical Leads, and Maintenance Leads.
Establish standards, best practices, and operational consistency across teams.
Oversee nightly entertainment operations to ensure quality, safety, and reliability.
Vendor Relations & Cost Optimization
Develop and maintain vendor relationships to reduce equipment, repair, and service costs.
Negotiate best pricing, service agreements, and long-term vendor partnerships.
Ensure vendors meet performance, service, and compliance expectations.
Cross Department Collaboration & Compliance
Work closely with all FSE departments to ensure special event requirements are communicated and executed.
Ensure all insurance, contractual, and compliance requirements are met for entertainment operations.
Maintain accurate records, files, and documentation.
Attend meetings as required.
Qualifications
Qualifications
Extensive experience in live entertainment operations, production management, or technical leadership.
Proven success managing large operational and capital budgets.
Advanced knowledge of audio, lighting, DSP, and live production systems.
Strong contract negotiation and vendor management experience.
Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Work Environment
Combination of office-based work and on-site venue operations.
Evening, weekend, and holiday work required based on event schedules.
Role Valuation Summary
This role:
Oversee a high dollar operating and capital budget
Directly enables revenue-generating entertainment programming
Manages high-value technical assets and operational risk
Negotiates vendor agreements that generate long-term savings
Functions as both a strategic leader and technical authority
Directly impacts member property satisfaction and brand value
The scope, accountability, and business impact of this position align with senior-level leadership compensation within live entertainment and large-scale venue operations.