Salary: USD 80000.00 - 100000.00 annually

Category: Venues/Promoters/Festivals

Location: Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI
Reports To: President, Barrymore Board of Directors
**FLSA Status: **Exempt
Supervision: Full-Time Professional Staff
12 months, Full-time, 3 Year Renewable Position
Position Summary
The General Manager is responsible for the overall leadership and management of The Barrymore Theatre, a commercial event theater that serves as both a premier live entertainment venue and a community gathering space. This position oversees all aspects of operations including event booking, guest services, facilities, financial performance, and staff management. The General Manager will ensure the theater delivers exceptional experiences for audiences and clients while balancing commercial success with support for local and community-focused programming. In conjunction with the Board of Directors, the General Manager is actively involved in strategic planning and visioning for the organization.

About the Barrymore
The Barrymore Theatre is a 971-capacity live music venue on the east side of Madison, Wisconsin. Originally built as the Eastwood Theater in 1929, the Barrymore was renamed in 1987 and converted into a live performance venue by two neighborhood visionaries. The goal was to create an entertainment and community venue that could serve as a centerpiece for the revival of Madison’s then-declining Schenk-Atwood neighborhood. The theater has held over 3,000 shows and events including rock concerts, comedy performances, films, plays, dance recitals, broadcasts, political rallies, children’s programming, and community events.
The now thriving Schenck-Atwood neighborhood has grown and changed around the theater. As the theater approaches its 100th anniversary, there is tremendous opportunity to re-envision the theater’s relevance and impact to the uniquely vibrant character of Madison’s East Side.

Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategic Management
• Provide vision, direction, and leadership for all aspects of theater operations.
• Develop and execute business strategies that maximize revenue while maintaining strong community engagement.
• Represent the theater publicly, fostering partnerships with promoters, local organizations, sponsors, and civic leaders.
• Participate in fundraising and development efforts on behalf of the theater, as an active member of the boards’ Fundraising Committee(s).
• Lead projects that engage the Barrymore with the community (example: a celebration of the Barrymore Theatre in 2029, when the building turns 100 years old.)
Venue & Event Operations
• Oversee daily theater operations, including box office, concessions, front-of-house, facilities, and event production.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, licensing, and accessibility requirements.
• Work with promoters, artists, and community groups to deliver successful events.
• Manage vendor and rental contracts to support both commercial and community programming.
• Understands music industry trends; analyzes the financial results of the different types of booking choices and shares relevant information with partners to ensure mutual success of events.
• Ensures that needs of artists and industry representatives are met, and the artists receive excellent experience in playing at our venue.
Financial & Business Management
• Work with accounting firm to prepare and manage accurate, timely annual operating budgets and monthly financial reports.
• Drive revenue growth through ticket sales, rentals, concessions, sponsorships, and other entrepreneurial activity.
• Control expenses and ensure the financial sustainability of the venue operations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Programming & Community Engagement
• Build a diverse event calendar that balances revenue-generation and fiscal stability with community engagement. 
• Support partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and local groups to provide accessible programming.
• Evaluate event performance and adjust booking strategy to reflect audience demand.
Staff & Volunteer Leadership
• Develop policies and systems that empower staff. 
• Hire, train, and supervise staff across operations, technical, and guest services teams.
• Provide leadership that fosters accountability, teamwork, and professional development.
• Manage volunteers and community partners who support theater operations.
Marketing & Public Relations
• Oversee marketing campaigns, public relations, and social media presence to maximize visibility and attendance.
• Strengthen brand recognition as both a commercial entertainment venue and community hub.
• Develop strategies to expand audience reach and loyalty.
Required Qualifications
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in theater, live events, or venue management.
• Strong skills in financial management, event operations, and customer service.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise diverse teams and nurture professional growth in supervisees. 
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with partners.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills; comfort with fast-paced environments.
• Availability to work on site at shows, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Hospitality, Arts Administration, or related field.
• Experience balancing financial and non-financial mission priorities.
• Experience with fundraising, in particular capital campaigns.
• Expertise in developing and sustaining a positive workplace culture.
• Experience working with a board of directors.
Physical & Environmental Conditions
• Work performed in both office and theater environments, including backstage, lobby, and concession areas.
• Requires ability to move throughout the facility, including climbing stairs and navigating between front-of-house and back-of-house areas.
• May involve lifting up to 25 pounds (event materials, promotional items, concession supplies).
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods during events.
• Regular exposure to low-light environments, loud noise levels during performances, and varying temperature conditions depending on event and facility usage.
• Flexible schedule required, including nights, weekends, and holidays to support programming.
Compensation & Benefits
• Competitive annual salary commensurate with experience (salary range $80,000 – $100,000).
• Benefits include medical insurance, with optional dental and vision coverage.
• Opportunities for professional development, networking, and community leadership.
Application Instructions
• Email cover letter and resume to board@barrymorelive.com
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled
The Barrymore Theatre takes applicant privacy seriously. Your application details are confidential and used solely for processing your job application with The Barrymore Theatre. We will not share your data with third parties without your consent.