Deputy and Operations Director
About Stanford Lively Arts
Stanford Lively Arts is engaging in the performing arts in bold and exciting ways, focusing on themes of innovation and campus engagement and growing in tandem with Stanford University’s arts initiative. Commissions, new creative work, and varied artist residencies are central to the organization’s programming vision. Now in its 38th season, Stanford Lively Arts annually brings to the Peninsula a full season of classical and world music, dance, theater, multi-media, and spoken word performances. Education and community programs, many free and open to the public, provide intimate opportunities for dialogue and interaction between artists and audience. Planning for a new performing arts center brings additional momentum to Stanford’s commitment to the arts, and to Lively Arts’ role within this fertile, inter-disciplinary environment.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Stanford Lively Arts is seeking a confident, team-oriented deputy & operations director who will work in partnership with the artistic/executive director, and in collaboration with the Lively Arts director team. The deputy & operations director will steward planning, finances, and operations for this campus-based arts presenter, also playing a key role in mapping the business plan for Lively Arts and a new performing arts center that is slated for completion in 2011–12. Towards this goal, the deputy & operations director will work with campus and Lively Arts leadership in both directing and guiding the staff and current infrastructure. Ideal candidates will have experience in senior management, strategic planning, operations and financial reporting/modeling. Experience working within a university environment and/or arts organization preferred.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Deputy
director at Lively Arts, working within a 6-member Director team
• Reports to artistic & executive Director
• Dotted
line responsibility to director of finance, Office of Public Affairs
• Supervises 1-2 direct reports and will serve as the Executive
Director’s number two in certain matters concerning Lively
Arts
• May represent Lively Arts in certain dealings with
senior University officers
• Serves as senior administrative
and operations officer for a multi-unit department within the Office of
Public Affairs
• Interfaces with vendors, Stanford Ticket
Office, Information Technology, Stanford Event & Labor Services,
campus colleagues and counterparts; participates in the Finance Director
team within the Major University Presenters professional association.
BUDGET AND STRATEGIC PLANNING:
•
Participates in the design and implementation of Lively Arts’
Strategic Plan with emphasis upon operations and finance, will often
lead/guide Director team to establish ways to evaluate new programs and
initiatives
• As chief fiscal officer, directs creation of
Lively Arts budget (4.5M) managing and forecasting multiple funding
sources, ticket revenue, grants, gift income, expenses
• With
artistic & executive director, prepares reports and jointly
represents Lively Arts at budget and planning presentations
•
Will conduct complex financial analysis such as forecasting and
sensitive vendor negotiations• May represent Lively Arts in certain
dealings with senior University officers
OPERATIONS AND INTERNAL CUSTOMER SERVICE:
• Stanford Ticket office: Serves as Lively Arts’ point person
for matters relating to Tessitura, the ticketing system, and
marketing/fundraising database, sales reporting, and contract
implementation, working in a supportive and facilitative role with
Marketing and Development.
• Reports to artistic &
executive Director
• Provides/verifies financial information
for Development grant proposals
• Venue operations: Supervises
technical services manager and house manager to address and support
facility needs (maintenance, upgrades), vendor negotiations (production
budgeting), and house staffing matters. Interfaces with colleagues
across university as necessary
• Best Practices: Conducts review of
expenses and vendor relationships. Negotiates key contracts, as
necessary
• Business systems: Establishes protocols and standards
for use of systems (financial, CRM/Tessitura, etc)
• Oversees
report calendar/formats, and provides/interprets data to enable optimal
decision-making by department and project managers.
• Provides
insights & guidance on matters of information security, technology
• Contracts: Reviews templates and drafts for vendor and
artist agreements; works with legal counsel to ensure compliance with
university policies
• Ensures University codes and procedures
(financial, legal) are implemented
• Support and maintain a
positive work environment. Interface with HR during hiring/review
process, oversee staff training and development with their supervisors,
implements HR policies.
• Attendance at selected Lively Arts
performances and events (some evenings and weekends); occasional support
as Front of House staff for larger events; modest travel to peer group
meetings with Major University Presenters
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PLANNING:
• Work
closely with PAC planning committee (project management, facilities,
campus leadership) and theater planning consultant to map resource
(financial, staffing) and operational impact of plans/decisions
• Lead modeling for organizational transition and PAC operation
projections after opening in 2011/12
• Participate in Arts
Facilities Master Planning committees in reviewing operations/cost of
other performing arts facility upgrades across campus
QUALIFICATIONS:
• 10+ years experience in
a finance/operations role
• College degree (and ideally, an
advanced degree) in management, accounting, finance. Experience in the
arts, or venue management is desirable
• Experience managing a
budget of $5M+
• Prior role in articulating and implementing an
organizational mission and strategic plan
• May represent Lively
Arts in certain dealings with senior University officers
•
Experience managing staff, working within teams and peer groups
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative and
cooperative relationships inside and outside of own workgroup.
• Ability to articulate and measure results within a variety of
metrics from financial, to aesthetic, programmatic, experiential
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
•
Demonstrated ability to problem solve and develop contingency plans
quickly (and to support staff accordingly)
• Strong problem
solving and efficient time management skills to manage, juggle and
prioritize workload. Project management skills are essential.
• Articulate, with solid oral and written communications and
presentation skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence
in customer/client service
• Strong technical skills to
include: MS Word, MS Excel, and project management software. Knowledge
and/or proficiency in Oracle Financials, Kronos and other Stanford
applications highly desired.
• Demonstrated ability to embrace
change, to flourish in a complex, dynamic and decentralized organization
and to be flexible in a constantly evolving, often ambiguous
environment.
Job Classification
The position of deputy & operations director is rated at 1M2
Application Requirements
To apply, please submit a plain text cover letter and resume via the Stanford jobs Web site.
Stanford University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.