Associate Artistic Director

About the role

The Associate Artistic Director facilitates the creative management of productions and other artistic projects under the direction of the Producing Artistic Director. This position works closely with artists, creative teams, and artistic and production personnel throughout the organization and serves as a member of the administrative leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Assists and supports the Producing Artistic Director with the administration and management of the Artistic Department and other departments/projects in their absence.
• Serves as a key point of communication between the Producing Artistic Director, the organization, and external creative/business personnel.
• Supervises department staff and manages the departmental budget alongside the Producing Artistic Director.
• Works on season planning and related activities; curates and supervises other artistic programs, including special performances for board/donor events and community events.
• Acts as a liaison between casting directors and artistic personnel to create audition schedules that fulfill AEA requirements and production needs.
• Supports and participates in the Education Department’s programs, including audience education initiatives, student classes, talkbacks, and involvement in the annual Rising Star Awards and New Voices Concert.
• Evaluates submissions of new work for further development and researches new creative material.
• Identifies emerging performers, directors, choreographers, and designers by attending performances, readings, workshops, and college showcases.
• Maintains a personal and professional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
• Supports the Development Department by attending donor events, supplying grant application information, and coordinating talent for galas and other events.
• Supports the Marketing Department by contributing to newsletters, brochures, and programs, and coordinating talent for publicity events.
• Makes live curtain speeches, hosts audience development events (e.g., Cast Talkbacks, subscriber tech tours), and attends other events as needed.
• Performs other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Seven or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in artistic administration, producing, casting, directing, or related theatrical leadership roles.
• Excellent judgment in determining which decisions require the Producing Artistic Director’s input and which can be handled independently.
• Outstanding human relations skills; tact and diplomacy are essential.
• Highly developed presentation skills and an understanding of how creative elements interrelate in successful musical theater productions.
• Experience working with both union and non-union workforces.
• Knowledge of access, equity, diversity, inclusion, implicit bias, and institutional racism; ability to develop and implement strategies for addressing these issues in artistic programming.
• Experience communicating effectively with artists, actors, casting agents, executive leadership, teams, Board members, partners, and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with new theatrical work, including local, national, and international relationships.

Qualifications

• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, collaborative approach, and sense of humor.
• Proficient public speaker with high levels of professionalism, interpersonal skills, discretion, and good judgment.
• Professional experience as a producer, artistic director/associate, line producer, or director is preferred (experience in multiple areas is ideal).
• Alignment with Paper Mill Playhouse’s mission and values.