Artistic Director & General Manager, Performing Arts Center

Position Overview

Starting Salary Range is $85,841.60 – $90,220. The initial salary offer is commensurate with education and related work experience.

Lee College’s Performing Arts Center is poised to be the cultural heart of Southeast Texas where artistry and community converge, where students discover confidence through creative expression, and where the region gathers for unforgettable cultural experiences. The ADGM will be a steward of both artistic possibility and institutional excellence, positioned to leave a lasting legacy that enriches the College, the community, and the broader arts landscape.

Lee College seeks a dynamic and visionary Artistic Director & General Manager (ADGM) to lead the Performing Arts Center (PAC) into its next era of art excellence. This dual-role executive will serve as both the chief creative voice and administrative leader for the PAC, developing bold artistic programming, managing operational and financial functions, and activating community partnerships that position the PAC as a cultural magnet for Southeast Texas. The successful candidate will embody artistic passion, strategic leadership, equitable community engagement, and business acumen to strengthen the PAC’s reputation locally and regionally while advancing the College’s mission of access, education, and impact.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Artistic Vision & Leadership

Chart the creative course of the PAC with strategic artistic planning
Define and implement a compelling multi-year artistic vision that reflects Lee College’s mission and regional aspirations
Curate seasonal programming that spans disciplines (theater, music, dance, lectures, film, and interdisciplinary arts) and appeals to diverse audiences.
Champion inclusive, innovative, and community-reflective artistic voices, welcoming both established artists and emerging talent.
Establish the PAC as a destination for signature events, festivals, and competitions
Serve as the public artistic spokesperson for the PAC, embodying its mission through public engagement, media presence, and community representation

Operational & Administrative Strategy

Lead the administrative engine of the PAC with excellence and efficiency
Oversee day-to-day operations including front-of-house, ticketing systems, production planning, box office, facilities scheduling, and safety compliance
Manage and optimize PAC budgets, financial planning, reporting, and resource allocation
Promote sound financial practices, including revenue diversification through ticket sales, rentals, sponsorships, and partnerships
Collaborate with Lee College leadership on strategic planning, policy development, and institutional alignment
Ensure quality systems for patron services, performance support, staffing, and vendor relations

Community & Educational Partnerships

Activate the PAC as a community staple and educational engine
Forge and grow partnerships with K-12 schools, regional arts organizations, nonprofit allies, UIL districts, and higher education institutions
Lead outreach programs bridging performing arts with community learning such as workshops, masterclasses, student showcases, and youth engagement initiatives
Advance opportunities for underserved populations to access arts experiences, reinforcing cultural participation
Serve as an ambassador for Lee College and the PAC in civic, cultural, and economic development contexts

Fundraising & Resource Development

Sustain and expand financial support for artistic excellence
In collaboration with development staff, co-lead fundraising strategy including cultivation of PAC donors, sponsorships, grants, and major gifts
Collaborate with advancement staff, foundations, and community investors to secure mission-critical resources
Prepare compelling proposals, reports, and presentations for funding partners

Team Leadership & Organizational Culture

Cultivate a high-performing, team culture
Recruit, hire, supervise, and mentor PAC staff, including technical, administrative, marketing, and production teams
Champion professional development within the PAC staff
Support cross-departmental collaboration across Lee College

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Master’s (or higher) degree in Arts Administration, Performing Arts Leadership, Arts Management, or related field OR equivalent professional experience
Minimum seven to ten (7-10) years of progressive leadership experience in performing arts programming, arts administration, or cultural institution management with a track record of strategic artistic visioning and operational success
Demonstrated success in community engagement, partnership cultivation, and audience development
Proven financial literacy including budgeting, revenue generation, fundraising, and fiscal oversight
Excellent communicator with strong presentation, public speaking, and stakeholder relationship skills
Commitment to broad access, usability, and arts education for people of all ages and backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in a higher education performing arts environment, or arts leadership within a cultural institution of comparable size and scope
Strong network within the regional and national arts community, with experience negotiating artistic collaborations, touring agreements, and resident artist partnerships
Demonstrated capacity to innovate in digital engagement, audience growth strategies, and hybrid arts programming
Teaching or mentoring experience in arts education appreciated

Lee College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law.