Managing Director
Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The Chautauqua community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State and comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities. The Institution has just recently passed a strategic plan (150 Forward) that endeavors to expand its reach to year-round programming and to harness its brand for continuous impact. A new Washington, DC, office has opened to allow the Institution to play an ongoing role in the cultural conversations of the nation.
Summary
Chautauqua Institution's Performing and Visual Arts Department is recruiting for a talented leader to perform in dual roles while reporting to and collaborating with the newly appointed Vice-President of Performing and Visual Arts:
The Managing Director, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra will oversee the professional resident orchestra with (74) musicians and diversity fellowship program performing (20+) concerts primarily during the Institution's summer assembly season, including direct responsibility for operating resources, scheduling and production, negotiating, and fulfilling contracts with musicians, venues, and vendors, and managing the details of the orchestra's recording, electronic media, and outreach projects.
The Manager of Artistic Administration for Performing and Visual Arts will support the management of artistic and financial operations, departmental budgets (including analysis and reporting), and by providing general administrative support for the Arts at Chautauqua Institution, including the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Chautauqua Theater Company, Chautauqua Opera Company and Conservatory, Chautauqua Visual Arts, Chautauqua School of Dance, Schools of Performing and Visual Arts, and summer series for popular entertainment, family entertainment, chamber music, and Sunday programming in Chautauqua Amphitheater.
Responsibilities
Managing Director, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
- Align Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra with the Institution's 150 Forward Strategic Plan in support of the artistic, financial, operational, and programmatic goals and objectives of the Institution during the summer season and, in the off-season, through the digital expression of the Institution, Chautauqua Assembly.
- In partnership with the Institution's Advancement Office, assist the Vice President and with fundraising activities, sponsorships, special events, endowment campaigns, planning giving programs, and identification and cultivation of donors for the Orchestra.
- Directly manage the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and other classical music artists and ensembles with the fundamental responsibility to ensure compliance with the orchestra's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Function as a content expert and data resource for union negotiations.
- Responsible for developing programmatic content and booking artists/ensembles for the Orchestra and other classical music. Negotiate, execute, reference, and record-keep industry contracts for classical music.
- Monitor legal and legislative activity that impacts the orchestra and recommend appropriate actions.
Manager of Artistic Administration, Performing and Visual Arts
- Serve as administrative and operational support for mission and vision work and long-range planning for Performing and Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution, including the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra.
- Work across artistic programs to develop, monitor, and provide analysis/reporting on budgets to ensure overall alignment of expenses and revenues within Performing and Visual Arts and in conjunction with the Institution.
- Document budgetary details and decision-making rationale for approval of programmatic resource allocation.
- Serve a cross-functional financial resource partnering with Finance, Accounting, Payroll, Human Resources to ensure accuracy of information and data validity across interworking systems for budgetary and cost controls.
- Assist the Vice President with administrative tasks related to talent management and the employment lifecycle through recruitment, selection, onboarding, operational oversight, development/training, performance management, and retention/succession management for managing directors and administrative staff who may work in career positions year-round or summer seasonal positions both long and short-term.
- Function as a system administrator and end-user of mobilized technology solutions (such as Arts Vision) to manage artistic schedules and assign resources and venues for various programs in Performing and Visual Arts. Ensure compliance with federal and state laws regarding performing rights, licensing, and safety.
- Liaise with the Housing & Travel Coordinators to ensure effective and timely accommodations, transportation, manage changes/emergencies to provide an overall seamless experience of artists visiting the Institution.
- Perform accounts receivable/payable function through Finance for completion and submission of forms and payments for performing rights organizations (ASCAP/BMI/SESAC) and other third-party organizations.
- Function as a project manager navigating multiple projects, full cycle, simultaneously with experience planning, executing, controlling, closing, and assessing results.
- Provide departmental representation and operational support during specific programs as assigned, which will require a deep engagement in the arts and an added commitment of evenings and weekends during the summer assembly season.
Supervision and Guidance
On a summer seasonal basis, the Managing Director of Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra provides direct leadership to the CSO's Principal Librarian, Personnel Manager, and Stage Manager and, as Manager of Artistic Administration, to various seasonal administrative staff, such as the PAVA Office Administrator and students participating in internship programs.
Comprehensive Benefits
Chautauqua Institution's competitive benefits suite includes health insurance, dental insurance, flexible spend (or health savings) account options, vision insurance, complimentary life insurance, access to various fitness and wellness programs, and employee-paid supplemental life insurance and long-term disability options. We help our employees plan for the future through a discretionary employer pension contribution, which has recently been (10%) of gross compensation following a designated service period. The Employee Assistance Program provides virtual access to a network of free services including counseling sessions, legal counsel, financial advisors, and childcare and eldercare referrals.
Discovering Your Chautauqua Experience
There are countless ways that our talent will engage with our mission, vision, and diverse communities, and you are invited to immerse yourself in our programming as a gateway to this experience.
Employees will receive the traditional Chautauqua gate pass, which provides access to all Amphitheater programs except popular entertainment (up to two nights a week) and lawn seating for all performing arts events at the Pratt Avenue performance pavilion, a new, temporary venue for 2021. Designated popular entertainment events in the Amphitheater will require a separate ticket purchase, if tickets are available.
In addition to a traditional gate pass, employees and their families will receive full access to our current and historical programs online at CHQ Assembly.
Joining Our Talent Community
Qualified candidates may apply online at CHQ.org/employment. Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume, with optional portfolio documents, for consideration. You are encouraged to learn more about Chautauqua Institution at CHQ.org and the 150 Forward Strategic Plan at 150fwd.CHQ.org.
Education and Experience
- A Bachelor's Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience in an Arts Management, Arts Administration, Business or Finance (with experience in the Arts) or related field is required.
- Minimum of 3-years of arts administration and/or operations management in a performing arts industry is required with a strong preference for candidates who have experience with orchestras or other classical music.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets and administrative structure within the arts with preference for candidates who have worked in a not-for-profit environment, specifically within classical music.
Skills and Abilities
- Technical savvy to utilize software and mobilized technology solutions organization-wide, such as Arts Vision.
- Systems thinking to understand data relationships and reporting within complex software systems.
- Logic and reasoning to understand complex financial information, extract relevant information, and apply that information to recommend strategies for successful artistic and financial operations.
- Problem-solving capabilities to identify complex problems, use critical thinking, and logic to evaluate options, and develop appropriate, effective solutions.
- Relationship-building expertise to share information or provide administrative support across interworking teams. Consultative and collaborative approach to problem-resolution in teams.
- Self-starter who will be a dependable business partner focused on work that builds a foundation of process and procedure, accomplishes routine responsibilities, plans for the future, and meets shared goals.
- A life-long learner who is eager to maintain technical knowledge, establish professional networks, participate in industry-specific organizations, and attend conferences.
- Personal integrity and ethics when dealing with confidential and sensitive information.