Operations Director

About Steep Theatre

Over the past 25 years, Steep has established itself as one of Chicago’s iconic ensemble-based storefront theatres. Called “the most fearless theater in town” by the Chicago Tribune, Steep has produced over 80 plays with remarkable critical and commercial success. The company’s artistic accomplishments have been matched at every step by organizational growth. Steep opened its first theater in 2003 and quickly outgrew its space, prompting a move to a new artistic home in 2008 where it produced for 12 years. In 2022, Steep bought a building to create a long-term artistic home and theater which is scheduled to open in late 2026. As it navigates new opportunities and new challenges, Steep is focused on core values that have driven and guided the ensemble: prioritizing artistic risk; engaging in responsible financial planning; nurturing connections between artists, audience members, and the community; and creating a welcoming and supportive place to share stories and conversations.

Job Summary  

The Operations Director is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing all production, facilities, and organizational operations at Steep Theatre. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with the Artistic Director, this role manages the full lifecycle of productions—from contracting artists and coordinating rehearsals to maintaining union compliance, budgets, and performance operations. The Operations Director also contributes to organizational administration and cross-departmental efforts, including events and special projects, serving as a key ambassador for the company.

This part-time position (20-25 hrs/wk) has an annual salary of $30,000 to $34,000.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

General Operations:

• Uphold the Mission and Values of Steep Theatre; be responsive to the priorities and artistic vision of the Ensemble.
• Report to the Board of Directors.
• Manage staff including hiring, training, scheduling, supervising, and assessing the following roles: Audience Engagement Manager, Facilities & Bar Manager, Finance Manager, and Marketing Associate.
• Support strategic planning, as set forth by the Artistic Director, the Board of Directors, and the Ensemble.
  Support DEI strategy and implementation in partnership with the Artistic Director, Board of Directors, and the Ensemble.
• Attend Board and Committee Meetings as needed.

Production:

• Serve as the primary producer for all Steep Theatre productions; ensure successful production run (e.g., Equity alignment, Chicago Theatre Standards, safety standards, general troubleshooting, assigning roles/responsibilities, etc.)
• Oversee the scheduling, planning, and management of rehearsals and performances.
• Oversee the contracting of all artists and technicians.
• Liaise with Actors Equity and other labor unions; ensure Steep Theatre operates in accordance with Union guidelines and requirements; conduct annual equity audit and assist with other financial reporting.
• Oversee production budgets in coordination with production managers; communicate expenses and financial information to the Finance Manager to ensure timely payment for both artists and vendors.
• Develop and administer an annual survey of artists; collate results and report on insights/key learnings for future improvement.
• Serve as programming coordinator for Boxcar events, including:
  • Identify point of contact on performance day for artists.
  • Instruct Boxcar staff on setting up performance space.
  • Provide recommendations for program improvements and seeking opportunities to integrate or align Boxcar programming with Steep mainstage programming.

Operations:

• Serve as the primary contact for theater operational needs during performances, events, and facility use, providing timely support and coordination as needed. Oversee incident response procedures and ensure operational standards are maintained across theater activities.
• Establish protocols for daily operations and set clear guidelines for facility use; establish procedures to open and close the venue for performances, rehearsals, and other events; establish safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all equipment use; develop plans for emergencies such as fires, medical incidents, or severe weather.
• Uphold the Chicago Theatre Standards by serving as a designated contact for the Concern Resolution Path.

Miscellaneous Responsibilities:

• Assemble artist information for production program.
• Assist the Finance Manager in coordinating all Human Resources functions.
• Support development activities and special events with the Artistic Director, Director of Development, and fundraising committee, as needed.
• Support the Development Director and Finance Manager in monitoring company expenses and cashflow.
• Provide administrative support for artistic programming, development initiatives, and special projects, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years experience in a theatre management or facilities management role.
• A minimum of 3 years in a supervisory role, managing diverse teams including front-of-house staff and technical personnel.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Superior verbal and written skills for liaising between artistic directors, board members, vendors, and the public.
• Creative and responsive approach to troubleshooting operational emergencies or scheduling conflicts.
• Mastery of Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel), scheduling platforms, and ticketing systems.
• Availability to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, particularly during performance runs.

Steep Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

We acknowledge that the American theater sector has historically operated within systems of privilege and exclusion, and these biases have disproportionately marginalized underrepresented groups. Steep is an antiracist organization actively working to dismantle these systemic barriers in our hiring and administrative practices. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.