Operations Manager, Performance Program

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

19h•$65,000 - $68,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Music at the University of Chicago is a world-renowned center for research and teaching of Music Composition, Ethnomusicology, and Music History and Theory. Its acclaimed faculty includes scholars and composers who are prominent leaders in their fields. The Department offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees, and also sponsors two major performance components that are closely integrated with the academic offerings of the Department: a wide-ranging Performance Program, whose 18 ensembles and programs cover a broad range of musical genres, historical periods, and cultural settings; and the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition (CCCC), which presents over 40 world premiere performances each season along with other performances by the resident Grossman Ensemble. This close conjunction of scholarship and performance, plus the remarkable breadth of distinctive performances on campus – including classical repertoire, early music, contemporary music, jazz, and world music genres, performed by visiting professionals, resident ensembles, and talented student musicians – distinguish the University of Chicago Department of Music from its peer institutions, and contribute meaningfully to the cultural life of Chicago. Reporting to the Director, Public Relations, the Operations Manager, Performance Program (OM) provides logistical expertise to avoid scheduling conflicts with rehearsals, concerts, and other activities within and between the Performance Program, the Department, UChicago Presents, the CCCC, and the University. Manages some detailed budget work, finances, artist contracts, travel needs, operational needs for auditions, and serves as house manager for concerts. The OM ensures the smooth operation of all scheduled events through careful, detailed pre-planning as well as on-site management, either in person or via student assistance, of backstage and front-of-house operations for concerts, workshops, and other events.

Requirements

College or university degree in related field.
< 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Background working in higher education or in the non-profit industry.
Familiar with booking venues and working with calendar programs.
Prior experience working in an office environment.
Background in music.
Familiarity with concert protocol as well as basic knowledge of composers, instruments, and standard musical terminology.
Proficiency in database management.
Make introductory announcements at concerts with clarity and poise.
Good communication skills, both written and oral.
Identify and understand priorities, manage work flow successfully, and meet deadlines for concurrent projects.
Manage interpersonal relationships successfully and utilize clarity, tact, and courtesy when interacting with patrons, faculty, staff, and students.
Recognize and resolve or refer problems.
Work independently, without close supervision.
Use or learn a wide range of position-related software. Interest and ability to research and implement new software programs to improve efficiency and communication.
Polished presence, professional attitude, positive outlook, and love of music.
Strong work ethic and spirit of collaboration.

Responsibilities

Maintains comprehensive calendar of all Department of Music activities, resolving date conflicts and event overlap as needed.
Schedules concert dates, rehearsals, and other Department and University events in Fulton Recital Hall and other performance venues on campus.
Arranges technical support, student assistants, and community volunteers for all events in Fulton Recital Hall and for major events elsewhere on campus.
Trains and supervises student assistants for all performance-related Department of Music activities.
Manages all aspects of CCCC operations including create and manage individual budgets for all projects; liaise with Music Department administration to process and track payments; create and execute all artist contracts such as guest artists, visiting ensembles, Grossman Ensemble musicians, guest conductors, and commission arrangements with visiting composers; coordinate travel and hotel arrangements; and oversee short-term communications with artists, executed by the CCCC Operations Assistant, such as rehearsal schedules, dissemination of parts and scores, etc., with adherence to strict deadlines.
Creates and updates audition procedures and oversees audition sign-ups for all performance ensembles at the beginning of the academic year.
Manages sign-ups and schedules for annual lesson stipend auditions and biennial Concerto Competition.
Assists the Director of Performance Programs and Performance Program directors with database maintenance, piano tuning and instrument repair, shipping and tracking of music, and related projects as needed.
Provides additional logistical support for operations, community engagement initiatives, and special projects for the Performance Program, CCCC, and Department of Music as needed.
Serves as house manager and reception coordinator for all University Symphony concerts and Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company performances in Mandel Hall, and for other departmental performances in Rockefeller Chapel and Logan Arts Center as needed, primarily during weekend evenings, as scheduled in advance.
Manages Tea-Time Concert Series for the Department of Music, including confirming performers, coordinating logistics, printing programs, and supervising house-managing for concerts.
Assists with the production and dissemination of live-streaming and video recording of PP, CCCC, and Department of Music events as needed.
Plans and schedules events, programs, and outreach.
Coordinates event-day logistics, and performs other routine assignments with guidance from others.
Compiles data to be used in event and program evaluation.
Contributes to improvements by implementing ideas as they are identified, with general direction from others.
Performs other related work as needed.