General Manager - Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (MYAC)

About the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center

The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (MYAC) is a mission-driven nonprofit facility dedicated to providing a safe, welcoming, and professionally equipped home for youth arts education and performance. MYAC serves as a shared campus for its founding and resident partners—including First Stage (FS) and the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO)—as well as youth, families, community organizations, and visiting arts groups. The center operates through a collaborative governance model, with the General Manager playing an essential role in sustaining the physical, financial, and relational health of the organization.

Position Summary

The General Manager (GM) is the senior operational leader of MYAC, responsible for the building’s day-to-day and long-term success. This individual ensures MYAC is a safe, clean, welcoming, and well-maintained environment for all users—from resident partners and youth arts programs to rental clients and the general public.

The GM is accountable for the full scope of building operations, including facility management and maintenance, staff supervision, rental contracting and calendar management, financial administration, and development and marketing activities. This role demands a leader who brings both strategic thinking and hands-on operational skill, who can navigate complex multi-stakeholder relationships, and who is deeply committed to the mission of youth arts access in Milwaukee.

Key Responsibilities

Full operational responsibility for the MYAC building and its systems, including both administrative and hands-on duties critical to daily operations.

• Prepare, maintain and distribute all Board materials. Participate actively in Executive, Budget & Finance and Facilities Committees.
• Secure, review and negotiate service contracts and vendors for cost-effectiveness; manage renewals and hold vendors accountable to scope, timeline and quality requirements.
• Manage all required City and State building inspections; maintain complete and current compliance documentation.
• Hire, onboard, supervise and evaluate MYAC personnel.
• Oversee and assist with all facility maintenance, ensuring the building consistently meets safety, cleanliness and appearance standards expected of a professional arts facility.

Accountability for all rental activity, from initial inquiry through contract execution and calendar management.

• Conduct annual review of all rental agreements to include market comparison of rental rates, terms and contract structures.
• Draft, negotiate and execute rental agreements with program partners and external arts organizations for rehearsal halls, classrooms, common areas and storage space.
• Manage and maintain the complete building calendar. Anticipate and resolve scheduling conflicts with professionalism and fairness to all parties.

Function as the primary financial operator of MYAC within parameters set by the Board.

• Oversee all financial transactions to ensure the organization operates within its annual budget.
• Develop and maintain the annual operations and capital budgets and present to supervisors and the Board for approval.
• Support the annual audit process; provide documentation and responses as requested and on schedule.
• Coordinate with outsourced payroll and benefits providers to ensure timely and accurate administration and reporting.

Development and marketing responsibilities to keep MYAC visible and credible in the community.

• Oversee the organization’s development and marketing needs. Maintain all MYAC marketing materials and online resources.
• Plan and execute annual fundraising campaigns as directed by the Board.
• Maintain the donor database to ensure information is current and donors receive timely and appropriate acknowledgement.

Qualifications

Required:

• Demonstrated experience in facilities or building management, preferably for a nonprofit or multi-tenant environment.
• Leadership experience, including Board relations, budget management, and compliance.
• Experience with performing arts organizations or similar mission-driven community spaces
• Proven financial management skills including budget development, QuickBooks or similar platforms, and working with outsourced accounting and payroll vendors
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with diverse audiences, including board members, organizational partners, youth, families, vendors, and renters.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and problem-solve independently.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required by the needs of the center.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, facilities management, arts administration, or a related field.
• Experience managing shared-use or multi-organization facilities.
• Familiarity with performing arts technical and operational requirements (e.g., staging, sound, lighting systems).
• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online and relevant building management or scheduling systems.
• Experience with small-scale development, donor relations, or fundraising campaign.

Apply Now: If you are mission-driven and excel in leading all aspects of building operations, we invite you to join our team. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Rachael Copeland, MYSO HR Director at Rachaelcopeland@myso.org.

MYAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Final candidates will undergo pre-employment screening, including a criminal background check.

Job Type: Full-time, salaried, exempt. Flexible schedule required to meet center needs including evenings and weekends.

More complete job description available upon request.

Pay: From $75,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person