Director for Performance and Venue Operations

The New England Conservatory, an independent not-for-profit institution, is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools, educating and training musicians of all ages from around the world. With music students representing more than 40 countries, NEC cultivates a diverse, dynamic community for students, providing them with performance opportunities and high-caliber training by 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of making and teaching music through college-level musical training in classical, jazz, and Contemporary Improvisation. It offers unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships that empower students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC’s mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, the Preparatory School and School of Continuing Education delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students, and adults.

Job Summary:

The Director, Production & Venue Operations is an execution-focused and results-driven leader who oversees all performance-, event-, and venue-related services at NEC, facilitating the safe, efficient, and mission-focused use of all performance venues, rehearsal facilities, and other spaces. The Director supervises the Production and Venue Operations departments and their staff, which includes Production, Front of House/Box Office, Scheduling, and Rentals, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure consistently high production values and exceptional customer service for all events at NEC. The Director serves as a primary liaison between NEC and institutional partners, strengthening collaboration and space utilization for the NEC’s faculty and students, while meeting revenue goals for the Conservatory’s rentals program. Coordinating with Facilities and Capital Planning, the Director also facilitates the purchase, management, repair, and upgrading of all FOH and BOH related technology and equipment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Work with the Dean & Chief Artistic Officer and various NEC departments in developing the strategic use of all NEC facilities for the benefit of the institution’s mission and goals, including revenue and recruitment goals.
Maintain and improve operational processes and protocols, staffing organization, and facilities scheduling within the Production and Venue Operations departments to efficiently support a high volume of performance and institutional events in multiple spaces, including concert venues.
Supervise Performance Production, Front of House/Box Office, Scheduling, and Rentals staff, including the direct supervision of four departmental managers.
Negotiate all rental contracts for rental and partnership programs across practice rooms, classrooms, performance halls and residence halls, while owning, developing and fostering relationships across NEC’s non-academic revenue driving portfolio to meet and exceed yearly goals.
Serve as the lead liaison between faculty and Production and Venue Operations staff in supporting their performances, while maintaining policies and procedures; includes the management of all scheduling systems.
Develop and maintain policy and procedures for all event and venue activities as they relate to Performance Production, Box Office/Front of House, Rentals and Scheduling.
Oversee the Box Office/FOH staff’s development and training of the Front-of-House staff on customer service and all event safety procedures to ensure that all NEC event patrons have a positive and safe experience.
Serve as a liaison to Facilities and Campus Safety on all life safety and emergency related matters.
Collaborate with relevant departments to develop and maintain a Performance Facilities and Equipment Strategic Plan, assessing the current state of all NEC performance-related facilities and equipment, including the instrument collection, and create a long-range strategy for acquisition, repair, and facility upgrades.
Promotes a healthy equitable learning environment for students and faculty, enjoyable concert experiences for audiences, and best-in-class service for rental clients.
Manage and maintain all Production and Venue Operations departmental budgets, and ensure that the rentals of NEC facilities meet the institution’s revenue forecasts and goals.
Oversee event services offered to rental and partner clients including collaborating with Recording and Performance Technology Service (RPTS), Performance Production, Box Office/FOH, Facilities and Security to establish and implement work rules and pricing to support the work outside licensees, while creating a revenue path for NEC.
Other duties as assigned and deemed necessary to support the mission of New England Conservatory.
QUALIFICATIONS:

Dedication to NEC’s mission of educating exceptional musicians who desire to have a positive impact in the world through music
Minimum of five years’ experience in production and venue operations at an arts or entertainment venue or presenter, symphony orchestra, opera or dance company, producing theater, conservatory, or other arts-focused higher education institution
Proven ability to create and maintain operational systems for venues and other facilities with an extremely high degree of utilization
Proven ability to lead, manage, and mentor a team
Technical systems management, including campus calendaring
Fluency in music and music production; familiarity with conservatory education
Positive, communicative, and transparent leadership style.
Service-oriented focus and ability to manage a high volume of events and competing priorities
Experience managing institutional budgeting.
Keen problem solving skills
Master’s degree in technical theater, design, music production, or related field preferred
A working understanding of music, music technology, and concert instruments
Exceptional judgment, discretion, and integrity when working with students in an educational environment
Commitment to NEC’s values of community and belonging