Job Description

Position Description

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About McCaw Hall:

Owned by the City of Seattle and operated by Seattle Center, McCaw Hall is a world-class performing arts venue managed under a unique Operating Agreement with its resident tenants--Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera. This collaborative partnership ensures shared oversight and financial stewardship, positioning McCaw Hall as a cornerstone of the region's creative and economic vitality.

About this position:

Seattle Center is seeking an experienced, visionary leader to serve as General Manager of McCaw Hall--an iconic, 3,000-seat performing arts center that hosts over 500 events and 450,000 annual visitors. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead venue operations, business development, finance, and partnerships for one of the city's most prestigious cultural landmarks--home to the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera. The ideal candidate will bring a balance of strategic leadership, operational savvy, and a deep appreciation for the arts, while also helping shape the venue's next era of innovation, community engagement, and financial sustainability.


The General Manager is responsible for overseeing McCaw Hall's finance, business development, operations, and stakeholder relationships. As a key member of the Seattle Center leadership team, this individual stewards McCaw Hall's legacy while embracing forward-thinking strategies that support artists, welcome diverse audiences, and sustain long-term community impact.


For additional details, click here: McCaw Hall Position Overview (Download PDF reader)

Job Responsibilities

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Strategic Leadership & Relationship Management

Represent McCaw Hall internally and externally, cultivating strong relationships with resident tenants (PNB & Seattle Opera), visiting producers, and civic partners. Support and collaborate with the McCaw Hall Operating Board on high-level decision-making. Lead seven direct reports across sales, production, events, patron services, and maintenance; indirectly oversee 100+ union staff. Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture focused on service, accountability, and safety.

Business & Event Development

Develop and implement strategies to increase facility use, diversify programming, and generate sponsorships. Align with tenants and partners to curate events that enhance McCaw Hall's mission and public value. Oversee marketing efforts for third-party, ticketed events.

Operations & Policy Oversight

Ensure seamless event execution, theatrical production standards, guest experience, and public safety. Manage and refine operational policies and procedures in collaboration with city leadership and stakeholders. Champion City of Seattle initiatives, including equity, ADA compliance, sustainability, and outreach.

Financial Management

Oversee a $6M annual budget and multiple reserve funds (e.g., capital improvement, equipment replacement). Manage third-party contracts for food/beverage and ticketing (totaling $1.5M+ in revenue). Collaborate on RFPs and negotiate vendor agreements in accordance with city policies.

Qualifications

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:

At least 4 years of progressive leadership in venue or event management (7+ years preferred), including responsibility for operations, finance, and business development. Union labor relations and experience in public-sector or multicultural environments is preferred. Utilizing event management software such as Momentus or similar platforms. Familiarity with a ticketing platform (e.g., Ticketmaster's TM1) is preferred.

Education:

A bachelor's degree in Performing Arts, Business, Public Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Ability to:

Apply knowledge of business and operational practices to manage complex venues and large-scale events. Build and maintain strong partnerships with staff, vendors, and stakeholders across diverse communities. Use Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) to support planning, reporting, and decision-making. Navigate dynamic, fast-paced environments with flexibility, problem-solving skills, and sound judgment.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS:

Inspirational: builds, inspires, and develops teams through periods of change and growth. Communicative: listens actively and offers clear, inclusive, and candid feedback. Approachable: remains hands-on and readily steps in to support the team when needed. Visionary: balances forward-thinking strategies with practical operational detail, and honors tradition while pursuing new ideas and future opportunities. Collaborative: creates strong relationships and unites diverse stakeholders. Diplomatic: works empathetically and effectively across all levels of the organization. Goal-Oriented: manages budgets and finances skillfully while driving financial growth and successfully managing venue operations. Community-Focused: champions outstanding audience experiences and advances public mission. Results and solution oriented.

TOP PRIORITIES:

Build a positive, accountable, and motivating team culture while clarifying roles, responsibilities, and goals across staff. Actively manage and empower the team while evaluating and addressing staffing needs, training, retention, and succession planning. Establish strong, trusting relationships with tenants, promoters, vendors, city officials, civic partners, unions, and staff. Listen to and understand the needs and motivations of all stakeholders. Lead the development of an updated, forward-thinking business plan for McCaw Hall; conduct facility, operations, and financial assessments to identify opportunities for improvement. Gain a deep understanding of the budget, finances, and reserve funds, and champion strong financial controls and budget management. Identify and implement creative revenue streams and diversified programming. Ensure seamless event execution and uphold safety, equity, accessibility, and sustainability standards.

Additional Information

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The budgeted title is Manager 3.


The full salary range for this position is $59.75-$89.61 per hour. The salary range for this individual role has been identified as $74.68-$79.52 hourly.


This position offers flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office at least three times a week.

How to Apply:

Applications will be accepted for this position until filled. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application, please attach:

A PDF of your current resume Cover Letter - In your cover letter, please provide the following: + What do you enjoy most about leading at large venues or performing arts centers?
+ What interests you most about McCaw Hall and this opportunity?



IMPORTANT NOTE: To align with our commitment to equity and the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative, Seattle Center is collecting cover letters and resumes without personal identifiers to achieve a blind screening process.


Why work at the City?


The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in dismantling racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and create and provide equitable processes and services. Seattle Office of Civil Rights)


Benefits - The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans


Resources for Applicants:


For helpful tips on the application process and recruitment process: Working at the City - Human Resources | seattle.gov. Application, Resume, and Interviewing Tips (Download PDF reader)

About Seattle Center

Seattle Center is the region's premier civic and cultural hub, located in the heart of downtown and home to more than 30 arts, entertainment, and community organizations. With over 220 full-time employees and hundreds of part-time staff, we create exceptional events, experiences, and environments that delight and inspire the human spirit to build stronger communities. In 2023, Seattle Center expanded to include operations for the city's new Waterfront Park, a vibrant stretch of public space between Pioneer Square and the Seattle Aquarium.


Seattle Center draws you in. Its vibrant pulse brings together people of all ages and walks of life to create thousands of extraordinary experiences that enrich millions of lives each year. Entertainment options abound - starting with nearly 500 free and affordable public programs and over 5,000 shows and events annually. The 74-acre campus, with 40 acres of open space, is home to more than 30 cultural, educational, sports, and entertainment organizations. This treasured urban space exists to delight and inspire the human spirit in each person and bring together our rich and varied community. The 12 million visitors to Seattle Center each year generate $1.15 billion in business activity and $387 million in labor income for King County.



The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.