Vice President, Artistic Planning

Lyric Opera of Chicago•Chicago, IL

2d•$160,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

Lyric Opera of Chicago is seeking an experienced artistic administrator to lead its Artistic Planning department for a wide range of productions and special projects, including for the Main Stage (operas, concerts, recitals), Education and Engagement projects, Musicals, and digital work. This role is responsible for all artistic planning and administration for the entire company, including but not limited to casting, contracting, budgets, production planning and programming, and serving as a member of Lyric’s senior leadership team. The ideal candidate will bring strong knowledge of casting, opera and concert repertoire, a background in artistic administration, excellent organizational and communication skills, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion in casting and planning.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university (in a relevant field).
More than 10 years of artistic administrative experience with 5+ years of managerial experience. Artist management experience is a suitable alternative.
Highly advanced knowledge of operatic repertoire and voices.
Excellent judgment and analytical abilities.
Training and significant experience in opera contract negotiations.
Working knowledge of and comfort working with: Microsoft suite of products, Google Applications
Outstanding communication skills with the ability to work with a variety of colleagues from performers to management.
Ability to work and think independently, a motivated self-starter who also works well in a larger team.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate leadership in accordance with Lyric’s mission and vision.
Provide casting, contracting and production planning leadership and assistance in support of Lyric’s lines of business, including main stage opera and concerts, Education and Engagement, the Ryan Opera Center (ROC), Musicals, and other Lyric productions.
Propose casting choices & set casting for all mainstage projects (including but not limited to Opera Productions, Concerts – Classical and Pops, Movies, Recitals and other Lyric productions) with General Director, Music Director and Chief Artistic Officer.
Lead casting meetings and all casting discussions.
Lead any in-season casting changes in collaboration with the General Director, Music Director and Chief Artistic Officer.
Secure conductor and / or director approval on casting when needed.
Participate in ROC selection and set their main stage and understudy assignments in collaboration with the ROC leadership and Chief Artistic Officer.
Audition chorus roles and understudies with Head of Music and Chorus Director.
Lead all local and out-of-town auditions for the main stage.
Be a resource to the Manager of Artistic Planning for the Musicals casting process.
Be a resource to the Manager of Artistic Planning for the Education and Engagement casting process.
Contract main stage leading and featured roles, concert and recital artists, conductors, directors, associate directors, and choreographers.
Oversee the contracting of all artists under the Manager of Artistic Planning’s purview, including supporting roles, understudies, chorus bit roles, children, speaking roles, and other artists as assigned.
Be a resource for the Musicals contract negotiations.
Be a resource for the Education and Engagement contract negotiations.
Delegate or take on artist contracting as is deemed necessary.
Participate in the production planning process with the General Director, Chief Artistic Officer, and Chief Financial and Operating Officer, and prepare all future scenario planning documents.
Collaborate on future season planning calendars with the Vice President of Artistic Operations & Administration and Vice President of Tech and Production.
In collaboration with the Chief Artistic Officer and Manager of Artistic Operations, track all future Artistic projects.
Plan artists and repertoire for Millennium Park Concert, multi-artist galas, and season announcement events with the General Director, Music Director, Chief Artistic Officer, and other company stakeholders.
Offer advice on repertoire choices to the General Director, Music Director and Chief Artistic Officer.
Offer advice on music matters to the General Director, Music Director, Chief Artistic Officer and Head of Music.
Member of Senior Management Team collaborating on strategic decisions for the company.
Supervise Manager of Artistic Planning and any Casting Consultant, overseeing all casting, contracting, and scouting.
Manage participation of the Manager of Artistic Planning and any Casting Consultants in the casting and contracting process.
Responsible for the financial oversight of Artistic Planning, including preparing all Artistic Planning budgets and managing season expenses in collaboration with the Manager of Artistic Planning.
Maintain communication with Music Director’s management on all their internal and external schedules.
Act as the internal contact on main stage opera casting information, ensuring internal stakeholders are kept updated on artist late arrivals, casting changes, and any other artistic changes.
Serve as Manager On Duty for select main stage performances.
Serve as the management representative for select Musicals performance shifts.
Serve as management representative on regular chorus bi-annual and probationary auditions.
Review all marketing materials to ensure artist listings and profiles are correct and adhere to Collective Bargaining Agreements. This includes but is not limited to production programs, season brochures, and other marketing materials.
Generate season timings, opera overviews, and artist name pronunciation guide.
Approve the bow sheet in collaboration with the General Director and Chief Artistic Officer.
Prepare AGMA Schedule C proposals and be a resource during AGMA negotiations.
Research artists for potential consideration.
Travel to see artists in performance and hear auditions nationally and internationally.
Network with counterpart artistic administrators and artist managers.
Attend rehearsals to monitor progress, facilitate resolution of artist service/satisfaction issues, and identify and escalate any artistic quality issues or emerging problems.
Build relationships with conductors, directors, and singers and offer general support to artists.
Be involved in public speaking engagements on behalf of Artistic to promote artists, the season, and the company.
Advise ROC members on audition repertoire and artist managers.
Mentor next generation of artistic administrators.