About Gorton Center

The gathering place in the heart of our community
where people connect, converse, learn, listen, play & perform.

Housed in a landmark building in the heart of the North Shore of Chicago,
Gorton Center, a 50-year-old multi-use cultural center at 400 E. Illinois Road,
Lake Forest , IL 60045, is a vibrant, viable and vital hub of activity, serving as “the community’s house” for residents of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff and the surrounding region.

Gorton provides valuable programs for creative-minded people at every stage of their lives. Gorton Center offers unique arts and educational programs for diverse ages and interests, including performing arts, educational and cultural classes and programs for adults and children, camps and workshops, and special events.

Gorton Center is seeking an energetic, experienced Director of Operations who wants to be an essential part of the organization’s growth and evolution as a key cultural and educational asset to the region.

The new Director of Operations will join an organization with a dynamic Executive Director, stable financial situation, long standing community support, a supportive Board, and a strong staff with deep experience. Staff and Board share a strong sense of purpose and engagement in the future of Gorton and the possibilities ahead. This position is onsite at Gorton.

Summary

The Director of Operations oversees the people and processes related to all programming, rentals and facility management at Gorton. This position reports to the Executive Director, and has several direct reports. 

Job Type

This position is full-time exempt M-F 8-5, with some evening and weekend work based on building activity.

Responsibilities

• Oversee four program area experts for Gorton – this person is not involved in doing programming, but helps to manage the programming areas
• Oversee two venue rental and one facilities personnel, as well as, via this team, the porter/custodial staff for Gorton
• Act as a member of the senior leadership team
• Effectively manage building utilization for maximum potential use and actively look forward to find solutions to space and staffing needs
• Oversee staffing requirements for building events and contractual needs
• Run weekly building production meetings
• Work with City of Lake Forest to coordinate city use agreements and maintenance 
• Be main point of contact for all capital improvements
• Oversee facilities related contracts
• Manage Gorton’s IT infrastructure with the help of a contracted service provider
• Oversee budgeting related to capital planning, annual facilities needs and assist programming staff with budgeting

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, facility management, arts management, or related field. Masters degree preferred.
• 8-10 years related experience
• Knowledge of arts programming, and theater and building facilities, HVAC systems and similar 
• Experience managing people in a collaborative positive environment
• Experience budgeting in a nonprofit environment
• Positive can do attitude, problem solving focused outlook, people centric
• Knowledge of IT systems and processes preferred