Associate Director, Alternative Programming

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY•San Francisco, CA

1d•$105,139 - $118,282•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Alternative Programming is a key member of the Artistic Planning team developing the San Francisco Symphony’s alternative programming portfolio, with a focus on creating exciting and memorable concert experiences, uniting audiences and artists together around our art form, and leveraging the flexibility and collaborative nature of orchestral music to create engaging experiences that resonate with our community. The Associate Director, Alternative Programming has primary responsibility for non-classical programming including Summer, Holiday, Film, select special events, and any added pops, presentations, and other alternative programming. The Associate Director, Alternative Programming is also responsible for exploring ways to expand the kinds of content offered by the Symphony, seeking to generate revenue through presentations, co-presentations, and alternative programs that bring new audiences to the SF Symphony. In addition, this role works with other departments in the organization to pursue new relationships and collaborations outside of Davies Symphony Hall that will connect us to a different audience and generate revenue. This position plays a key role in the Symphony’s audience development efforts through collaborating closely with other teams in the organization to understand patron preferences and to ensure that the Symphony’s content and season arcs are compelling for Bay Area audiences.

Requirements

5-7 years’ experience working in a performing arts organization, preferably with a musical or orchestral background.
General knowledge of popular performing artists, bands and films.
Excellent working relationships with artists and managers.
Proven negotiation skills across a variety of types of programs, artists, and industries.
Ability to think innovatively about the practice of artistic planning, and to take a collaborative approach that reflects varied priorities and strategies.
Commitment to diversifying repertoire and artists from underrepresented minorities.
Formal education in music preferred.
Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to professionally and diplomatically communicate and interact with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
Strong situational awareness; able to work discreetly, independently and display good judgment in dealing with diverse personalities and potentially difficult situations.
Valid driver’s license preferred and satisfactory results of a complete background investigation.
Must be available to regularly work flexible hours, particularly weekends and evenings in accordance with production, rehearsal and concert schedules.

Nice To Haves

Formal education in music preferred.

Responsibilities

Program and engage artists for Holiday concerts.
Program and engage artists for all non-classical Summer concerts.
Program and engage artists for Film Series and Film Singles.
Program and engage artists for special events as assigned.
Program and engage artists for all added pops, presentations, and alternative programming.
Explore and research expanded content for the Symphony to present, such as comedy, speakers, and other alternative programming.
Explore and develop co-promotional relationships with other organizations.
Pursue collaborations both inside and outside Davies Symphony Hall that connect the Symphony to different audiences.
Develop systems and processes for effective collaboration with the Marketing team, including creating and maintaining repositories of potential program ideas, compiling comprehensive and data-driven artist and program pitches, and instating and following a cyclical calendar of regular touchpoints on various series.
Work collaboratively with the Operations and Finance teams to plan concerts that fit within the Symphony’s operational and financial constraints.
Provide detailed engagement summaries for each program to artist management and relevant SF Symphony Artistic Planning colleagues to support the contracting process and the coordination of all logistical details related to guest artists.
Review contracts as requested by Artistic Planning Department Manager.
Maintain awareness of logistical details managed by Artist Services Coordinator and/or Artistic Planning Assistant for guest artists for Holiday, Summer, Film, Special Events, Presentations and Chorus concert, and provide support as reasonably requested.
Issue program updates for Holiday, Summer, Film, special events, and all other added non-classical programs.
Manage ArtsVision data entry for Holiday, Summer, Film, special events, and all other added non-classical programs.
Submit Early Programming Tool and strawman requests for any necessary programs, and collaborate with Artistic Planning Department Manager on strawmen, budgets, and projections as necessary.
Proof content for Holiday, Summer, Film, special events, all other added non-classical contracts, and any other programming as necessary.
Serve as part of concert duty rotation.