Job

Vice President of Artistic Planning & Special Events

JAZZ HOUSE KiDS

292 Newbury St, Suite 315
MA 02115

Deadline

Rolling

Posted

Jul 18, 2024

The Vice President of Artistic Programming + Special Events (VPAP+SE) will be responsible for planning, programming and booking, revenue, budget management, and operational oversight of all JAZZ HOUSE signature performance programs and fundraising events. Reporting to the Founder + President, and in close collaboration with the Artistic Director and Associate Producer, the VPAP+SE will harness external resources to benefit and prioritize the programmatic growth and financial sustainability of the organization’s expanding portfolio of live performances, patron events, and the Montclair Jazz Festival. Demonstrating a commitment to live music production, music education, developing emerging talent, and community engagement, the VPAP+SE will seek out new initiatives and strategies that build the visibility and brand of JAZZ HOUSE.

Roles and Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Visioning
• Guide and execute the artistic vision, programming, and booking, in close collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team for all JAZZ HOUSE signature performance programs and special events including the Montclair Jazz Festival, Jazz Icons series curated by the Artistic Director, Jazz at One series curated by the Associate Producer, the annual Ralph Pucci Annual hosted by Christian McBride, patron and special events, community concert performances by alumni and students, and the new performance venue.
• Develop one-year, three-year, and long-range strategic programming and revenue plans for the growth and sustainability of all JAZZ HOUSE signature performance programs.
• Explore and engage creative programming partnerships and third-party vendors to activate the new jazz venue.
• Develop and steward artist/agent relationships and execute all contracts for event artists.
• Design and implement all aspects of the JAZZ HOUSE patron experience, including a robust year-round membership program, in collaboration with the signature performance program staff and development staff.
• Advise and engage in strategic planning for the new jazz venue in Montclair, including strategic programming plans, venue operations and staff management, and sponsorship and revenue opportunities.

• Liaise with the Head of Communications on marketing/communication plans to build the visibility and brand of all JAZZ HOUSE signature performance programs.
• Embrace other strategic planning and visioning responsibilities, as needed.

Revenue Enhancement
• Serve as an ambassador for all JAZZ HOUSE signature performance programs in partnership with the Founder + President in public forums, professional and industry events, and select press events.
• Identify, cultivate and steward strong relationships with key community leaders and partners to increase, diversify, and sustain all sources of contributed and earned revenue for all signature performance programs.
• Partner with development and marketing staff to lead Festival and new venue sponsorship strategy, implementing the full cycle of research, pitch, sales, contracting, fulfillment, documentation, measurement, reporting, and renewal.
• Evaluate, update, and advise on all sponsorship, membership, and on-site sales, concessions, vendors, and related festival and new venue components to enhance benefits, pricing, and sales strategies annually.
• Negotiate third-party vendor contracts and in-kind sponsorships with concessions and vendors for the festival.
• Develop and execute year-round membership cultivation strategies including intimate donor/evangelists’ home and business-hosted events and benefit concerts with partner promoters and in partner venues; enhancing membership reach and revenue for the festival and the new venue.
• Embrace other revenue enhancement responsibilities, as needed.

Financial Management
• Build and manage all event budgets, researching and securing multiple vendor/supplier quotes, ensuring the highest quality, while meeting budget goals.
• Track expenses by partnering with the Finance Department on payment schedules, expense tracking, and documentation, providing risk analysis and regular updates to all departments.
• Develop and justify plans for strategic investments/expenditures needed to grow and sustain.
• Embrace other financial management responsibilities, as needed.

Administration, Production, Operations, and Reporting
• Lead signature performance programming planning meetings, creating, maintaining, and distributing key project management documents.
• Collaborate on all signature performance programming site design and integration of revenue-generating activities with the Associate Director of Event Operations and Chief Philanthropy Officer.
• Ensure high-quality production values and artist/audience experience, reviewing production, front of house, security, maintenance, and volunteer staffing and training with the Assistant Director of Event Operations and Program + Production Coordinator.
• Facilitate internal and external post-event meetings, documenting and integrating concerns and opportunities into future program planning.
• Partner with development and marketing to create timely, impactful, data-driven reports for sponsors and other key partners.
• Memorialize all protocols, records, and documents related to each event.
• Embrace other administration, production, operations, and reporting responsibilities, as needed.

Traits and Characteristics
The VP of Artistic Programming + Special Events will be an experienced, creative, live-music-loving performing arts entrepreneur. They will be a pacesetter expert at coordinating multiple projects, overlapping schedules, and conflicting priorities while creating a culture of transparent communication and collaboration. Leading with humility and a sense of humor, the VPAP+SE will be versatile and able to adapt rapidly to changing priorities. They will be a team player, a community builder, and an accomplished “win-win” negotiator, with an artistry for inspiring and collaborating with a diverse range of constituencies. The VPAP+SE will bring a deep passion for jazz, music education, developing emerging talent, and community engagement.

Other key competencies include the following:
• Leadership and Teamwork – The capacity to articulate a vision and create a sense of purpose and direction for internal and external stakeholders, build trust by demonstrating respect and integrity, and create an environment where team members are appreciated and supported, enabling their success.
• Planning and Organizing – The competence to identify and oversee all resources, tasks, systems, and people to establish courses of action to ensure that work is completed effectively.
• Diplomacy and Interpersonal Skills – The acuity to connect with a diverse array of people and personalities, while effectively communicating, building rapport, and relating well to all kinds of people.
• Influencing Others and Flexibility – The capacity to build trust, mobilize, and inspire others around a shared vision while fostering a clear sense of purpose and direction while regularly adapting approaches as circumstances change.
• Time and Priority Management – The clarity to discern competing priorities, overcome obstacles, and maximize the use of time and resources to achieve desired goals and outcomes.

Compensation and Benefits
JAZZ HOUSE KiDS offers a generous compensation package with a base salary estimated in the range of $110,000 to $130,000. Employee Group Health & Dental plan available, vacation and sick leave, 403b retirement plan.

JAZZ HOUSE KiDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. They do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Please let them know if you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability.

Requirements

Five to ten years of large-scale concert programming and producing is required, festival experience is a plus. A proven track record of financial leadership, budget management, strategic and project planning, and sponsorship sales is essential. The ideal candidate will be well versed in large-scale, multi-platform, performance production, have an understanding and appreciation of jazz performance and emerging talent development, with significant professional contacts across the concert/sponsorship industry. Educational credentials and demonstrated professional experience supporting leadership, organizational growth, arts and culture impact, and community engagement, are highly desired.

Application Instructions

To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit: https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/jazz-house-kids-seeks-vice-president-of-artistic-programming-special-events/ . For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity, including the anticipated salary range, please contact:

Renée Danger-James, Vice President
Geoff Chang, Vice President
1040 First Avenue, Suite 352
New York, NY 10022-2991
Tel (888) 234.4236 Ext. 212
Email JAZZHOUSE@ArtsConsulting.com