Senior Director of Performing Arts

About the role

The College seeks an exceptional leader to guide a dynamic, multivenue academic and community performing arts center. This role oversees a $1.7M instructional and auxiliary portfolio, leading artistic programming, contract negotiations, marketing strategy, and financial stewardship to ensure mission-aligned, fiscally sustainable operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide fiscal leadership for instructional and auxiliary units, including strategic planning, budgeting, grant writing, and oversight of revenue and expenses totaling nearly $2 million.
• Ensure auxiliary operations remain financially sustainable and maintain reserve funds.
• Develop and sustain a diversified operational model incorporating earned income, rentals, presenting/producing activities, and contributed income.
• Develop diverse, financially successful performance seasons aligned with the Arts Center’s mission.
• Negotiate and execute artist contracts in compliance with College policies.
• Oversee communication, marketing, and media strategies for all programming.
• Anticipate, assess, and mitigate organizational, contractual, and public-facing risks associated with live performance events.
• Hire, supervise, and evaluate Arts Center staff, adjunct faculty, and ensemble instructors.
• Administer collective bargaining agreements and address student, faculty, and staff concerns.
• Cookordinate private music lessons, ensemble programs, curriculum requirements, course scheduling, and student registration.
• Serve as liaison with in-residence ensemble partners to ensure alignment with College policies and mutual program goals.
• Coordinate public outreach initiatives with visiting artists, faculty, student ensembles, and community organizations.
• Partner with the College Foundation on fundraising initiatives, donor cultivation, sponsorships, and special events.
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities supporting Arts Center and instructional priorities.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to integrate performing arts programming into curriculum and interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in arts, nonprofit administration, business, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree with substantial experience leading multi-venue performing arts operations or comparable nonprofit organizations.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of senior leadership experience in a nonprofit organization, including budget and profit/loss responsibility, contract authority, and supervision of cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated success achieving measurable outcomes related to strategic planning, marketing, and organizational goals.
• Proven experience managing mixed income streams, including earned revenue, grants, and contributed income.
• Experience cultivating internal and external partnerships to advance institutional mission and program effectiveness.
• Comprehensive knowledge of performing arts venue management, including marketing, box office operations, online ticket sales, CRM systems, technical production, and front-of-house management.
• Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements and applicable labor requirements.
• Familiarity with Illinois Community College Board or equivalent requirements related to curriculum and enrollment.
• Strategic thinking and vision development, with the ability to implement complex plans to completion.
• Strong financial management and analytical skills, including data-informed decision-making.
• Effective project management skills in a dynamic, high-volume public programming environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, and communication skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity-minded planning, inclusive programming, and culturally responsive practices.
• Ability to collaborate, build effective teams, and manage conflict in complex organizational settings.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience leading multi-venue performing arts operations or comparable nonprofit organizations.
• Seven (7) years of senior leadership experience in a nonprofit organization, including budget and profit/loss responsibility, contract authority, and supervision of cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated success achieving measurable outcomes related to strategic planning, marketing, and organizational goals.
• Proven experience managing mixed income streams, including earned revenue, grants, and contributed income.
• Experience cultivating internal and external partnerships to advance institutional mission and program effectiveness.
• Comprehensive knowledge of performing arts venue management, including marketing, box office operations, online ticket sales, CRM systems, technical production, and front-of-house management.
• Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements and applicable labor requirements.
• Familiarity with Illinois Community College Board or equivalent requirements related to curriculum and enrollment.
• Strategic thinking and vision development, with the ability to implement complex plans to completion.
• Strong financial management and analytical skills, including data-informed decision-making.
• Effective project management skills in a dynamic, high-volume public programming environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, and communication skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity-minded planning, inclusive programming, and culturally responsive practices.
• Ability to collaborate, build effective teams, and manage conflict in complex organizational settings.

Skills

• Experience working in higher education.
• Direct professional experience in the performing arts (e.g., director, producer, performer).
• Comprehensive experience managing all aspects of performing arts venues.
• Fundraising experience, including donor cultivation and sponsorships.
• Experience managing curriculum, faculty, and enrollment processes related to performing arts instruction.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA, DCA, Commuter)
• Retail Plans (Pension, 457b, 403b)
• Time Off with Pay
• Professional Development/Expense
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Sick Banks

Pay

This is a Full-Time Administrative position at grade 17, with an annual salary range of $84,923 to $113,000. The salary offer will be based on education and experience, in alignment with the College’s compensation philosophy and the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), if applicable.

Schedule

Work Schedule Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.