Director of Operations

Oak View Group

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary

The Director of Operations reports directly to the General Manager and is responsible for the efficient, professional, and profitable management of all food and beverage operations within the venue. Overseeing multimillion-dollar revenue streams, this role provides leadership across culinary, concessions, bar, and catering services, ensuring consistency in quality, compliance, and guest experience. The Director manages a team of more than 100 employees, including managers and supervisors, and is accountable for recruiting, training, coaching, evaluating, and developing staff while maintaining a positive and collaborative workplace culture.

This position plays a critical role in strategic planning and execution, including budgeting, forecasting, labor management, and vendor negotiations, with a proven ability to reduce costs and increase profitability. The Director of Operations also leads large-scale event execution, coordinating food and beverage services for conventions, galas, and performances with guest counts ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands. By combining operational excellence with a focus on team development and guest satisfaction, the Director ensures both exceptional service delivery and strong financial results.

This role pays an annual salary of $68,000-$75,000 and is bonus eligible

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)

This position will remain open until March 6, 2026.

About the Venue

A fixture in Milwaukee for over 50 years, Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is home to four major resident companies: Black Arts MKE, First Stage, The Florentine Opera, and Milwaukee Ballet. MPAC is proud to be part of the Milwaukee Theater District as well as a dedicated War Memorial facility, honoring those who bravely served our country. 

From our world-class performances to inspiring community events, we hope your experience at the Marcus Performing Arts Center leaves you feeling transported and transformed. 

Responsibilities

• Assists in the overall effective management of the catering and concessions operations.  Ideal candidate will have a strong restaurant, concessions and catering background.
• Ensures total compliance with all alcohol service policies. Monitors alcohol service throughout event to assure 100% compliance with Alcohol Service policies.  Reports any alcohol service or compliance issues to OVG management immediately.
• Assist in the management of catered and concession events from set-up to tear down, including handling all communication with hourly staff, culinary staff & guests.
• Ensure legal, efficient, professional and profitable operation of the venue.
• Ability to review and analyze financial reports, including budgets, projections, forecasting, revenue analysis, disbursements, capital investments, labor and product costs, wage and salary control, P&L financial statements.
• Conflict resolution; last-resort mediation; arbitration and labor negotiations, when applicable.
• Author, review and amend policies & procedures, as requested by the General Manager.
• Author and amend contracts; authorize terms as directed by the General Manager.
• Oversee scheduling and labor allocation.
• Work in tandem with the General Manager to analyze ticket sales in relation to anticipating staffing needs, target market demographics; determine and project point-of sale to guest ratio.
• Evaluate recent historical sales and purchasing data for the purpose of identifying purchasing patterns and accurate cost of goods.
• Program and maintain the point-of-sale system to ensure accurate financial reporting, tracking of accountability, and commodity levels by location.
• Directs and assists managers in preparing and attaining future goals.
• Provides each manager with the proper direction and follows up on all assignments.
• Inspects the operation on a regular basis to ensure that the established quality standards are maintained.
• Prepares required reports accurately and submits them on time.
• Train and develop an effective team.
• Reviews and assists in the development of menus and marketing plans with the appropriate department heads.
• Establishes and maintains professional relationships with show managers, suppliers, vendors and the public that projects the venue in a positive light.
• All other duties assigned by General Manager.

Qualifications

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or related field 
• Food Safety/Sanitation certifications (e.g., ServSafe, HACCP)
• Alcohol service certification (e.g., TIPS or equivalent)

Professional Experience

• 5-7 years of progressive leadership experience in Food & Beverage operations, with at least 3–5 years in a senior management role
• Prior experience managing F&B in large-scale venues such as performing arts centers, convention centers, stadiums, or hotels
• Demonstrated success overseeing multi-outlet operations including catering, concessions, and bar service
• Proven track record in vendor negotiations, contract management, and third-party partnerships

Leadership & Management Skills

• Strong ability to lead, mentor, and develop large cross-functional teams
• Experience managing union and non-union workforces
• Expertise in labor forecasting, scheduling, and cost control
• Ability to foster a service-driven culture focused on guest experience

Financial & Operational Acumen

• P&L management experience for multi-million-dollar F&B operations
• Budget development, forecasting, and financial analysis skills
• Proficiency in POS systems (Micros, Simphony, Toast, etc.) and inventory management tools
• Ability to design and implement cost control measures to reduce waste and increase profitability

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.

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