Director of the Young Performing Arts Center - College of Arts & Communication - 21866
ATTENTION:
The Young Performing Arts Center in the College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Director of the Young (Arts Director, AR003).
The Director of the Young is a full-time, year-round position with variable hours.
This will be a full-time Limited Appointment serving at the pleasure of the Chancellor. To learn more about this type of appointment please see the UW System Administrative Policy 1251: Appointment Terms & Designation of Positions and the Personnel Rules.
JOB DETAILS:
The Young Performing Arts Center is a regional destination for performances and shows of all types, including Broadway tours, concerts, comedians, guest speakers, plays, and other forms of live entertainment. The Executive Director's primary responsibilities are developing a successful season, establishing and maintaining community relationships, working collaboratively with internal staff, and being a voice for The Young. For the Executive Director to be successful in this role, while upholding of the University's Mission, the Executive Director will need to work with stakeholders on and off campus, including advisory committees, University faculty and staff, and community members to ensure The Young Performing Arts Center thrives.
This position reports to the Dean of College of Arts and Communication. This position supervises The Young Professional Staff, as well as the paid students, and volunteers in their direct employ.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's or Advanced Degree in visual or performing arts with professional experience as a visual or performing artist
- 5 years programming and/or auditorium management
- Availability to travel up to 25% of the year, local and domestic; ability to work long days, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
- Ability to work remotely, attend conferences, and engage in the arts outside of The Young to find new talent, works, and build relationships
- Record of proven successful leadership positions in academic institutions
- Demonstrated ability to manage teams while collaborating with large numbers of faculty, staff, students, community members, guest artists, clients, and other professionals representing a variety of personalities and cultures
- Demonstrated ability to read, comprehend, and correctly execute contracts collaboratively with the team
- Experience building and maintaining professional relationships to facilitate connections and partnerships in the local and broader arts and entertainment community
- Strong skills using email, Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel), internet collaboration tools (DocuSign), Adobe Acrobat, and ticketing software
- Knowledge of current trends in performing arts and live entertainment
- Ability to comfortably manage multiple projects and exercise good judgement while maintaining a positive attitude in stressful situations
- A skilled manager that values honesty, integrity, transparency, clearly defined goals, and staff retention
Preferred Qualifications:
- 10 years of professional experience in the live entertainment industry
- Experience leading a regional theatre or performing arts center of significant size and complexity, or comparable artistic and/or producing organization
- Demonstrated ability to help lead large fundraising efforts and events
- Demonstrated Fundraising and Sponsorship Expertise
- Demonstrated community engagement
- Demonstrated Commitment to Arts Education
- MFA or MBA
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
- Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work with University faculty, students, staff, and administration as well as the local and national arts community to develop and advance The Young's position as a premier performing arts center in the region
- Manage, maintain, and advance administrative and production policies and practices currently in place for the operation of The Young in coordination with the staff and committees
- Provide informed leadership for long- and short-term planning for the The Young in collaboration with the CoAC Dean, campus leadership and community stakeholders
- Provide leadership and oversight for programming in The Young
- Oversee the budget, operations, and maintenance of The Young in consultation with the CoAC Dean, Young staff, facilities, and funding committees
- Work with all users, including but not limited to Academic Departments of the University, Continuing Education, and UW-Whitewater student groups, the community, and patrons.
- Negotiate all contracts relative to The Young, including program contracting and facility usage agreements
- Lead community events and engagement, program diverse and meaningful seasons, and facilitate audience growth in all that The Young does
- Maintain and advance programming, rentals, and community events that focus on the diversification of The Young and its usage specifically towards but not limited to, the local community, underserved communities, and underrepresented communities
- Provide supervision, direction, and support to staff, fostering effective leadership and motivation
- Create and encourage professional growth and development opportunities
- Lead the development of appropriate grant proposals
- Develop and implement targeted strategies to increase memberships and sponsorships, with clear goals, timelines, and performance metrics
- Cooperate with the UW-Whitewater Foundation in fundraising and development
CAMPUS INFORMATION:
UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university's 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs - online and in person - from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university's arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities - a priority mission since the 1970s.
UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin's Park Place.
Belonging and mattering are central to the university's culture, and UW-Whitewater strives to maintain an environment where individual and collective efforts are valued and celebrated. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus University of Wisconsin System (https://www.wisconsin.edu).
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and UW System Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $90,000 - $100,000.
UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.
CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:
Applications received by June 30, 2025 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.
If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or hr@uww.edu.
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Amy Fetherston
Dean's Assistant
262-472-12221
fethersa@uww.edu
TO APPLY:
Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Name and contact information for three professional references
This Job ID is 21866.
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