Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

The Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer will oversee the management of all Opry Entertainment Group (OEG) attractions and venues, including, but not limited to, the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, the Ole Red brand, ACL Live and Block 21, Category 10 and related retail operations. This role is pivotal in shaping and executing the organization's strategic vision. This leadership position requires a seasoned professional with a strong background in the entertainment and food & beverage industry, capable of driving operational efficiency, fostering innovation, and ensuring seamless coordination across various functions. Reports to the CEO of Opry Entertainment Group.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the executive team to develop and refine the Company's overall strategy and provide strategic guidance to ensure alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
• Ensure all venues consistently deliver flawless service execution, engaging live entertainment, optimize merchandising sales and execute seamless brand experiences.
• Partner with senior leadership to explore and capitalize on growth opportunities within the entertainment and food & beverage industry.
• Work closely with the finance team to develop budgets and financial forecasts and monitor financial performance against targets to achieve budgeted finances.
• Foster collaboration and effective communication across all departments, ensuring a cohesive approach to achieving organizational goals and objectives.
• Identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Build and lead a high-performing operational team and identify opportunities for development at all levels of the organization.
• Foster an employee-centric culture and develop and execute initiatives to enhance employee engagement, satisfaction, and overall well-being.
• Develop and implement strategic plans, policies, and procedures.
• Oversee day-to-day operations and collaborate with all business units to implement changes that positively impact the service profit chain. Identify areas for improvement and recommend strategies to enhance employee satisfaction and loyalty.
• Implement best practices and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize operational processes and cost-effective measures without compromising quality.
• Partner with Marketing, Public Relations, and Artist Relations to optimize the commercial use of the Company's venues and maximize the revenues and profitability from all sources, including private events, tours, ticket sales, food, beverage, merchandising sales, marketing partnerships and advertising sales.
• Promote effective employee communication and adequate information flow throughout the organization.
• Continually improve the budgeting process through the education of department leaders and managers on financial issues impacting their budgets.
• Provide strategic input and leadership on decision-making issues affecting the organization, i.e., evaluation of potential alliances, acquisitions and mergers.
• Partner with Design & Construction and OEG partners on capital planning and the completion of all builds and remodels.
• Partner with Human Resources to promote a culture that reflects the company values; develops talent and builds bench strength; encourages coaching and mentoring; rewards and promotes productivity; promotes diversity and inclusion; and enhances long-term retention.
• Implement robust risk management processes to protect the organization's interests.
• Travel to current venue locations as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in business, management, or a related field; MBA is preferred

Experience

• 10+ years of senior-level experience in the entertainment, food & beverage or hospitality industry required
• Proven experience as a COO or in a senior operational leadership role managing and growing a business within a large live entertainment or hospitality
• Demonstrated success in driving operational excellence and achieving financial targets

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams
• Strong understanding of industry trends, market dynamics, and customer preferences
• Proven hands-on operator able to drive results by leveraging a culture that balances people, systems, and processes to support success within the existing brands and beyond
• Strong balance of operational, commercial, and financial acumen within an environment that inspires operational excellence, consistency, creativity, and innovation
• Hold strong presence, advocacy and presentation skills and should be comfortable interacting with top executives on a regular basis and serving as the company's senior representative to third-party partners
• Strategic thinker with the ability to make informed decisions that align with organizational goals
• Drive innovation and quality across all relevant customer touch points, including content, merchandise, facilities, and service delivery
• Familiarity with the live music industry, as well as a network of contacts in the entertainment, hospitality and music industries, will be highly valued