Position Summary Information
Job Description Summary
The Auditorium Manager is responsible for the overall management, coordination, and operation of MH Chapman Auditorium and related event spaces. This position oversees auditorium scheduling, event planning logistics, client relations, facility coordination, budget management, and day-to-day auditorium operations to ensure events are executed safely, professionally, and in alignment with venue policies and operational capabilities. The role supports both campus and external client events and serves as the primary point of contact for evaluating event needs, communicating operational expectations, and determining technical and facility accommodations.
This position provides leadership in event execution from inception through completion, including stage management, production design, audio and lighting support, and coordination of technical resources. The Auditorium Manager supervises staff and student workers, provides hands-on leadership during productions and events, and communicates project plans, schedules, and operational requirements with clients, technicians, and event stakeholders to ensure successful event outcomes.
Responsibilities
Production Lead
- Oversee general upkeep of Chapman Auditorium.
- Oversee Auditorium operations, including scheduling, stage management, budget management, and supervising staff/student workers
- Provide leadership in general production design and implementation, from inception to completion, for technical theatre needs in Chapman Auditorium and other locations as assigned.
- Review event requests and operational details to determine whether proposed events can be safely and effectively supported within the auditorium space.
- Assess technical, staffing, safety, scheduling, and facility needs to ensure event feasibility and operational readiness.
- Supervise, train, and manage auditorium personnel while fostering a collaborative, customer-service-oriented work environment.
- Provide hands on leadership and involvement in all phases of technical theatre production, including audio and lighting operations and stage managements.
- Analyze problems that arise on the job and provide leadership in resolving routine problems.
- Ensure professional and appropriate theatrical presentation of productions.
Client Coordination and Event Support
- Serve as the primary point of contact for event organizers, clients, campus partners, and external users regarding auditorium use and event coordination.
- Demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and professionalism when communicating with clients, particularly when discussing venue limitations, operational requirements, or requests that cannot be accommodated.
- Clearly communicate venue policies, operational procedures, timelines, and expectations to event organizers to support successful event execution.
- Develop, maintain, and process event documentation including diagrams, setup details, technical requirements, schedules, and operational notes.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation to establish clear expectations and ensure consistency in communication with clients and internal teams.
- Establish operational guidelines and venue standards for auditorium usage, safety procedures, crowd management, and event support services.
- Coordinate with facilities, custodial teams, public safety, and other support departments to ensure event preparedness and compliance with institutional policies.
- Resolve event-related concerns and operational challenges in a calm, solution-oriented manner.
Troubleshooting and Technical Lead Support:
- Oversee compliance with theatre’s health and safety standards and ensure proper use of tools and equipment.
- Perform basic repair as needed and maintain tools in a safe working condition (which includes safe and proper storage)
- Present innovative ideas for theatre processes and equipment to improve audio, lighting and stage management processes.
- Monitor venue conditions and recommend improvements related to operations, safety, equipment, and customer experience.
- Assess problems and escalate matters to Supervisor regarding specific conditions which may need their attention.
Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- 2–4 years of progressively responsible experience in auditorium operations, event management, technical theatre production, or a related field
- Progressively responsible experience in production design and implementation from inception to production, preferably as a production lead.
- Thorough knowledge of theatrical lighting, sound and fly systems, and use of diverse tools and equipment for professional, educational and theatrical productions.
- Demonstrated ability to read and understand floor plans, scripts and production designs, and convey project needs to other technicians.
- Excellent analytical skills to analyze problems that arise on the job and make sound recommendations for resolution in support of project goals.
- Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to effectively lead auditorium operations and event support staff.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with the ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment in sensitive or high-pressure situations.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly in documenting event logistics and communicating operational expectations.
- Ability to analyze event requests and determine operational feasibility within venue capabilities and safety requirements.
- Ability to establish and enforce venue guidelines, policies, and operational procedures.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced event environment.
- Working knowledge of basic principles and methods of stage management.Technical skills to learn and use enterprise systems and departmental tools.
- Working knowledge of diverse theatrical equipment and terminologies.
- Proven ability to operate equipment and tools with skills and in a safe manner, and ability to provide training to others.
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, and special events as required.
- Working knowledge of appropriate safety standards and procedures.
- Knowledge of set construction.
- Knowledge of video projection equipment.
- Strong commitment to teamwork.
- Knowledge of basic knots
Desired Qualifications
- BA in Technical Theatre
- Knowledge of auditorium operations, event management practices, and facility coordination principles.
- Knowledge of Basic Rigging
- Experience with the ETC ION, Allen and Heath SQ7, and the DBX Drive Rack.
- Budget Management Experience
Special Instructions to Applicants
Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate
Minimum Number of References
Maximum Number of References
