Earl R. Merrill: Ann Arbor Summer Festival: Programming and Operations Manager

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and creative individual to join the team as Programming and Operations Manager. This key position is responsible for planning and implementing the programmatic and operational activities of the Festival. The Programming and Operations Manager will report directly to the Executive Director and work collaboratively with a team of three permanent employees, seasonal staff, volunteer governing board, and a programmatic advisory committee (in development) to achieve the organization’s mission. The candidate will be joining a small and highly collaborative team. There is room for growth and additional responsibility in this position depending on the candidate.

Organization:
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an eclectic, dynamic, and far-reaching celebration of performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. The nearly four-week gathering offers dozens of performances, activities, exhibitions, and screenings representative of the best in music, dance, contemporary circus, public radio shows, comedy, film, spectacle, street arts, and family entertainment. The Festival’s mission is to present a world-class celebration of arts and entertainment that enriches the cultural, economic, and social vitality of the region.

Key Responsibilities

Programs (50%)

Develop and implement the Festival’s community programs, events, and artistic
presentations
Seek out and create diverse new programming and partnerships in the community
and region while maintaining and improving existing ones
Collaborate with Executive Director on the curation and contracting of the Top of the Park music series
Provide project management and advance support to all of the Festival’s events
Lead the Board Community Engagement Committee

Business & Operations (50%)

Manage the Festival’s seasonal operation and event production apparatus including but not limited to oversight in areas of vendor relationships, labor, artists, event production, accessibility, safety and security, risk management
Manage a seasonal team of 10 managers, and provide guidance and strategic
oversight for a team of vendors, 100+ employees, and 200+ volunteers
Prepare and execute seasonal advance work including event permits, licensing,
facility rental agreements, work-orders
Oversee general office administration, calendar management, technology
Actively participate in the planning, execution, and evaluation of all of the Festival’s 150+ events
Serve, with high integrity, as a representative of the Festival to donors, stakeholders and the community at large
Additional responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and/or artistic knowledge, interest and experience in the performing arts and live event production field, and the ability to work with a broad cross-section of genres, artists, businesses, partners, and the public to enhance interest and participation in the Festival.

Minimum 2 years of experience in artistic programming, program development,
community placemaking, and/or event production
Innovative thinking, adaptability, and comfort supporting new ideas/projects.
Excellent communication skills (verbally and written) and ability to communicate with extreme diplomacy, professionalism
Experience working in and building relationships with diverse communities
Demonstrated organizational ability to work under pressure on multiple projects with competing deadlines, establishing goals and workload priorities
Ability to motivate and lead a team
Computer savvy and comfortable working in a Mac environment, highly proficient in Microsoft Office and Google tools, basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite

Requirements