First-Avenue-Chief-Operating-Officer

Position Profile

On behalf of our client, First Avenue Productions,

CohenTaylor Executive Search Services is conducting a retained executive search for its

Chief Operating Officer

Position Profile: FIRST AVENUE, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

First Avenue Fast Facts: • The First Avenue Mainroom was built in 1937 as a Greyhound Depot and converted in 1970 to a rock club.

• The main room is a 1550-person capacity live music venue in Minneapolis. • First Avenue Mainroom is the 4th largest club worldwide by ticket sales. First Avenue is more than just four walls, a soundboard, and • Legendary acts include B.B. King, a stage; it is the epicenter of live music and entertainment in Pat Benetar, U2 and Prince have Minneapolis. Having celebrated its 45th Anniversary in 2015, all performed in the First Avenue First Avenue is one of the longest running independently Mainroom. owned and operated clubs in the United States, as well as • In 2013, First Avenue Mainroom one of the most celebrated. San Francisco has the Fillmore. was voted as one of “The Best Big New York has the Bowery Ballroom. D.C. has the 9:30 Club, Rooms in America” in Rolling and Minneapolis has First Avenue and the 7th St Entry. Stone magazine • First Avenue Productions First Avenue Productions is a company committed to promotes events at other Twin fostering arts, music and entertainment excellence; it is, Cities venues including Northrup quite simply, what a music company should be. Auditorium, the Historic Hennepin Theaters, Surly First Avenue Productions owns and operates the following Brewery, Cabooze Plaza, Bayfront venues: Palace Theatre, First Avenue Mainroom, Turf Club, (Duluth) and the Armory. 7th Street Entry, and the Depot Tavern. Additionally, they • Visit first-avenue.com for more on are developing a 10,000-person amphitheater on the the club’s history. Mississippi River in North Minneapolis that is proposed to • Engage with First Avenue on open 2022. social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram • Check out the Turf Club and Mission Palace Theater also owned by First Avenue provides unique and innovative cultural First Avenue productions. environments. Our musical vision is not limited by fashion, fortune, or fame.

First Avenue welcomes people of any age, race, sex, or sexual orientation. We strive to bring together people with diverse interests and backgrounds. As the longest continual entertainment and music venue in the Twin Cities, First Avenue Mainroom’s roots in the community are deep and far-reaching. We work to strengthen these ties and connect with the next generation of music fans.

Position Profile: FIRST AVENUE, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

The Role First Avenue is looking for an experienced strategic Chief Operating Officer to play a critical role supporting the organization’s evolution to the next phase of growth and impact. Reporting directly to the CEO, this new role will be a key member of the senior management team and responsible for the efficiency of all businesses under the First Avenue umbrella. The COO will oversee the diverse, fast-moving business operations and will work along side the General Manager of Concert Operations who is responsible for the concert booking operations.

This position must secure the functionality of the business to drive extensive and sustainable growth. Key responsibilities include managing all operational policies, procedures, initiatives, and goals and executing long-term and short-term plans and directives. Must show judgement, vision, management, and leadership.

The COO will work collaboratively with cross functional team members to ensure that all areas of the organization are running efficiently and have the support they need to meet their strategic goals. With a primary focus on the internal workings of the organization, the COO will work closely with the CEO and General Manager to oversee goals and performance, helping teams to maintain a focus on priorities and critical issues at hand. In addition to guiding the immediate needs of the organization, the COO will also play a key role in developing and expanding longer-term initiatives.

The COO will lead 3 Direct Reports, including a Director of Event Operations, Chief Financial Officer and Director of General Operations and a total team of approximately 20 individuals.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the organization, primarily in the areas of food & beverage, general operations, human resources, and facilities • Design and implement business strategies, plans and procedures necessary for sustaining rapid growth. Lead the execution of the key strategies. • Set comprehensive goals for performance and growth, constantly evaluating plans and suggesting improvement. • Measure effectiveness and efficiency of internal operational processes and find ways to improve. • Participate in evaluating and executing expansion activities. 3

Position Profile: FIRST AVENUE, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER • Manage relationships with partners/vendors. • Present new ideas and oversee implementation of capital improvements to increase efficiency and customer experience. • Motivate staff to encourage maximum performance and dedication and to meet and surpass company goals. • Recruit skilled talent and provide a system for employee reviews, salaries and benefits; make employees feel valued, keep top employees. • Oversee employee to do lists and major projects in all departments. • Promote communication between colleagues for the benefit of information flow and to curb any problems that arise. • Provide mentoring to all employees, including management. • Establish policies that promote company culture and vision.

Criteria for Success

The ideal Chief Operating Officer will increase the capability and capacity of First Avenue. While no one candidate will have all the criteria enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

• Proven experience as a Chief Operating Office or relevant role, including ramping up a company’s execution and scale in a short period of time. • Experience leading the general business operations functions such as HR, Finance, and hospitality operations. • Experience leading a multi-site operation is preferred. • Demonstrable competency in strategic planning and fundraising. • Working knowledge of data analysis and performance/operating metrics. • Working knowledge of IT/Business infrastructure, MS Office, Compeat and Point of Sale software. • Outstanding organizational, leadership, and interpersonal abilities. • Aptitude in decision-making, identifying weaknesses, problem-solving, and attention to detail is a necessity. • Love of music and going to live shows is a plus. • BSc/BA in Business Administration or relevant field; MSc/MBA is a plus.

For more information or to send your credentials, please email [email protected] All inquiries will remain confidential.

Position Profile: FIRST AVENUE, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.