Director of Planning & Operations, Education & Community Engagement

About Our Organization

New York City Center has played a defining role in the cultural life of the city since 1943-making the best in the music, theater, and dance accessible to all audiences. Championed by a staff of passionate arts lovers, this commitment continues through celebrated dance and musical theater series including the Fall for Dance Festival, the Tony-honored Encores!, and the newest series Artists at the Center and City Center Dance Festival. The distinctive neo-Moorish theater in midtown Manhattan welcomes over 300,000 annual visitors to experience internationally acclaimed artists on the same stage that legends like George Balanchine, Leonard Bernstein, Barbara Cook, Martha Graham, and Paul Robeson made their mark. Home to a roster of renowned companies including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Manhattan Theatre Club, City Center’s dynamic programming, art exhibitions, studio events, and master classes, are complemented by education and community engagement programs that bring the performing arts to over 11,000 New York City students, teachers, and families each year.

Job Position Summary

Job Classification: Exempt

Job Hours: Full-Time (occasional nights/weekends required for performances and events)

Manages: Senior Manager, Career Pathways & Community Engagement and Education Manager, School Programs

Reports To: Vice President, Education & Community Engagement

The Director of Planning and Operations, Education and Community Engagement is responsible for collaborating directly with the Vice President of Education & Community Engagement to plan, implement and manage the Department’s day-to-day operations. The Director of Planning & Operations will have a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to oversight of personnel, operations, budget, communications and outreach, strategic planning, production logistics, and other duties necessary to carry out the Department’s mission. This position requires cross-collaboration with multiple New York City Center Departments and reports directly to the Vice President of Education and Community Engagement (EDU/CE). The Director of Planning and Operations, Education and Community Engagement should be excited about the role while upholding City Center’s mission and our commitment to be an anti-racist organization.

Roles & Responsibilities

Responsibilities

  • Operations and Management
    • Oversee the day-to-day operations of the EDU/CE Department, including staff supervision, programmatic planning, optimal administrative function, and consistent information flow.
    • Assist Vice President with implementation, evaluation, reporting, and quality control of programs, activities, and events.
  • Support VP as a liaison between the Department and stakeholders and in developing and executing the Department’s strategic plan.
  • Work closely with the VP to build and maintain the Department’s school and community partner networks.
  • Monitor and evaluate existing programs and make recommendations for the creation of new programs consistent with the NYCC’s strategic direction, policies, budgets, and calendars.
  • Communication and Outreach
    • Develop Education and Community program marketing strategies and materials in collaboration with the Center’s Marketing department and supervises their implementation.
    • Oversee the design, editing, and creation of outreach materials (flyers, curriculum packets, etc.), website content, and audience resources (ex. Behind the Curtain Guide).
  • Serve on various interdepartmental and collaborative committees as appropriate and serve as department lead in the creation and facilitation of City Center’s new access initiatives.
  • Budget Administration, Contracts, and Reporting
    • In collaboration with the VP, develop and oversee the Department’s annual operating budget.
    • Execute the Department’s quarterly financial reporting and facilitate all departmental contracting.
    • Ensure contractual and financial compliance with the NYC Department of Education in departmental decision-making.
    • Identify school partners who need financial support and allocate and maintain annual subsidies accordingly.
    • Oversee all invoicing.
  • Infrastructure & Systems – Oversight of department-wide registration systems, and department use of Tessitura, Formsite, and Wordfly.
  • Grant Management- Tracking sponsored project budgets within the Department, ensuring expenses are within budgeted limits and reviewing and approving financial transactions related to those budgets. Assist the VP and Development Department in engaging prospective donors on behalf of NYCC, as needed.
  • Associate Producer – Manage logistics and liaise with Production and external partners to coordinate all tech and production needs for Education & Community Engagement live and virtual events at City Center.

Position Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Theatre or Dance Education or equivalent arts- or education-related degree
  • 6-7 years of experience required working in the field of arts administration, producing, or arts education
  • Management experience in an Education Department of a performing arts organization required
  • Communication (written and oral), organizational and motivational skills.
  • Financial skills including accounting, budgeting, and contract negotiation.
  • Ability to monitor and manage budgets, balance multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate on projects.
  • Ability to interpret and operationalize organizational and professional policies.
  • Strong intra/interpersonal skills and an authentic, collaborative approach to developing and maintaining internal and external relationships.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and oversee projects of varying complexity calmly, efficiently, and professionally.
  • Experience effectively making and communicating leadership decisions both orally and in writing.
  • Capacity to plan, implement, manage, analyze, and report on tasks, programs, and events effectively and efficiently.
  • Must be able to delegate while assuring a level of quality expected by the organization.
  • Ability to interpret and operationalize organizational and professional policies.
  • Computer software skills including Microsoft Office, Tessitura, Formsite, and Wordfly
  • Teaching experience is a plus

As a valued member of the City Center administrative team, you will receive:

  • Exempt annual rate of $96,000+
  • Comprehensive insurance coverage (medical, dental, life, disability)
  • Generous paid time off
  • Pre-tax flexible & dependent care savings accounts
  • Pre-tax transit savings
  • Pension Plan with (CIG) Cultural Institutions Group (fully vested after 5 years)
  • 401K retirement savings account
  • Access to various dress rehearsals, performances, educational events, and professional development opportunities

Please Note:

All newly hired employees of New York City Center must have their final dose and booster of an FDA-authorized or WHO-listed COVID-19 vaccine and provide proof of such to begin employment at any time after September 17, 2021, unless a reasonable accommodation on the following limited bases is granted. City Center will consider accommodation requests from individuals who are unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccination due to either an underlying medical condition or sincerely held religious beliefs on a case-by-case basis in accordance with City Center’s policies as well as federal, state, and local laws. Supporting documentation may be requested.

City Center is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to providing a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment (including sexual harassment) based upon any protected characteristic. City Center does not discriminate for reasons of race, color, creed, religion, age, marital status, membership in a domestic partnership, veterans or uniform service member status, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ethnic or national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, medical condition, history of domestic violence or assault, caregiver status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state and local laws. City Center ensures equal and fair treatment of any employee or applicant with known mental or physical disabilities.