Career Center

The Director of Arts Presenting and Public Venue Operations provides strategic leadership for the programming, operations, financial management, facility planning, and public-facing use of Emens Auditorium, Pruis Hall, and the Brown Family Amphitheater.

CFA Deans Office

Director of Arts Presenting and Public Venue Operations

Ball State University

The Director of Arts Presenting and Public Venue Operations provides strategic leadership for the programming, operations, financial management, facility planning, and public-facing use of Emens Auditorium, Pruis Hall, and the Brown Family Amphitheater. With an annual operating budget of $980,000, this position advances a cohesive artistic vision for the university’s public venues while ensuring that programming is relevant, market-driven, operationally feasible, financially sustainable, and aligned with the mission of Ball State University and the curricular priorities of the College of Fine Arts.

Working closely with college leadership, faculty, staff, artists, agents, promoters, vendors, and campus partners, the Director oversees venue operations, event selection, contract coordination, budget administration, facility maintenance, security, capital improvement planning, and audience engagement. The role supports student success and artistic development by creating experiential learning opportunities, performance platforms, and interdisciplinary collaborations that connect academic programs with contemporary artistic practice and community relevance.

An incentive plan of up to $30,000 will be available in addition to base salary.

Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State University’s ambitious goals for our second century:

• We pledge to provide a premier educational experience for every student.
• We pledge to partner with the community to improve the lives of our neighbors.
• We are dedicated to having a lifelong presence in the lives of our alumni.

And when we complement these promises with our commitment to our enduring values, we define that which makes our University and its culture distinctive.

Our faculty are collegial, collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and adaptive, both within and beyond one’s home unit. These attributes include commitments to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and enterprising learning practices.

Position Function: Plan, direct, and coordinate the operational, budgetary, and personnel activities of Emens Auditorium, Pruis Hall, and the Brown Family Amphitheater, including recommendation, confirmation, and coordination of programming, event selection, development efforts, facility scheduling, and capital improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee event scheduling that is relevant, market-driven, operationally feasible, and financially viable and sustainable, while advancing a cohesive artistic vision for the university’s public-facing venues that aligns with the mission of the College of Fine Arts and supports its curricular priorities and creates experiential learning opportunities, performance platforms, and interdisciplinary collaborations that enhance student success and artistic development. This includes the intentional curation, selection, confirmation, and presentation of events that complement academic programs, create meaningful engagement opportunities for students and faculty, and reflect both contemporary artistic practice and community relevance, while ensuring compliance with relevant policies and guidelines, including participation on any relevant committees.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate all operations/management functions related to Emens Auditorium, Pruis Hall, and the Brown Family Amphitheater, including responsibility for the administration of the facilities' operating/programming budgets. In collaboration with college leadership and faculty, ensure that programming decisions and resource allocations support the artistic, educational, and community engagement goals of the College of Fine Arts. Track all revenues and expenses for facilities and provide regular updates to both the college Dean and the college Budget Director.
• Oversee and monitor all programs and policies related to the maintenance and security of the facilities and equipment; conduct periodic review of policies and procedures; ensure mandatory training compliance, e.g., OSHA and other organizations, and implement approved changes as necessary; maintain liaison with vendors of equipment, materials and services; maintain information of current trends and product availability, and industry standards.
• Coordinate and confirm activities with booking agents, promoters, artist management, and related groups/individuals in the attraction, to provide necessary support and promotion of Auditorium/Hall/Amphitheater events.
• Consult, advise the college Dean and the college Budget Director regarding planning and implementation of capital projects for Emens Auditorium, Pruis Hall, and the Brown Family Amphitheater, and coordinate all operations/management functions related to these projects.
• Review, discuss, interpret, and confirm contracts for the use of facilities and associated equipment and staff; involves providing advice and counsel to clients and prospects in conjunction with the college Dean, Budget Director, and General Counsel.
• Assign and review work, orient and train staff, and make recommendations in all areas related to supervision, including performance appraisal, training, and career development of personnel.
• Convene regular staff meetings and monitor staff scheduling to ensure coverage and security of the facilities for all programming and related usage.
• Attend and/or delegate attendance and oversight responsibilities during scheduled events, including welcoming visiting artists, lecturers, and performers, attending to patron and performer needs, as well as production and technical matters.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, alumni, and community partners to support programs and facilities, including fundraising and possible grant proposal submissions.
• Maintain a timely, professional, and ongoing line of communication with staff and any parties relevant to prospective and confirmed programming, including prompt and accurate payment of all service contracts and timely facilitation of promotional materials.
• Attend essential conferences and meetings to keep current with the field and relevant programming, including local, regional, and national arts opportunities and trends.
• Lead a team consisting of the following:  Auditorium Stage Manager; Assistant Director for Operations; Manager of Ticket and Business Operations; PT Office Assistant.
• Perform other related administrative duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in performing arts, arts administration, business, higher education, non-profit management, communications, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in venue or event operations, programming, arts administration, or related fields.
• Demonstrated responsibility for planning, coordination, and decision making.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Prioritization and organizational skills.
• Collaborative approach to fostering campus and community partnerships.
• Familiarity and appreciation of the breadth of arts industries and their audiences.             
• Experience with financial reporting and budget processes.
• Supervisory experience overseeing staff and operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in an industry-related field.
• Strong negotiation skills, particularly in talent procurement or similar negotiations

Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 7/17/2026. at 12:01 a.m.

Apply online at BSU Careers. Include the following documents with your application: Curriculum Vitae and in support of your application for this position, please prepare and submit a cover letter that describes how your qualifications and experiences align with the elements of the position description (or leadership profile). In your cover letter, please also describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to our University’s enduring values, including inclusiveness, which we define as a commitment ‘to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.’

The option to upload transcripts is available. Original, official transcripts showing the highest related degree earner is required at the time of hire (even if obtained at BSU). Degree verification will be conducted.

Ball State is a great place to work! In fact, Forbes has ranked Ball State University as the fourth-best midsized employer—and the only recognized education institution—in the State of Indiana

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Approximately 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students enroll in one of eight academic colleges that offer 270+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of our master’s, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degrees rank among the best in the nation. We engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives enriched by lifelong learning and service, while we enhance the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our community, our state, and our world.

The Ball State way is rooted in the Beneficence Pledge – a commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship, honesty and integrity, social responsibility, gratitude and valuing the intrinsic worth of each member of our community. Ball State students, faculty and staff are empowered in a culture that believes in them and demands they believe in themselves. They are partners in an innovative, immersive approach to education. They are supported by living and learning facilities that enable intellectual curiosity. We graduate scholars who are changing the world, and we’ve dedicated our University to do the same.

Ball State University is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, genetic information, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, protected veteran status, or any legally protected status.