Job Opportunities

Open Position: Program Manager of Communications and Producing

Department of Theatre and Visual Arts, Fordham University

Fordham University seeks an organized and creative person with solid financial, communication, and team-building skills to take a managerial role administering its distinguished undergraduate BA Theatre Program. 

The Theatre Program is based at Fordham’s Lincoln Center Campus in Manhattan and is housed academically within a department alongside Visual Art. Students receive a B.A. with a concentration in one of four areas: performance, design + production, directing, or playwriting. Historically, the Program produces four mainstage shows and 16 studio shows annually. Fordham Theatre is committed to cultivating an expansive vision for the program that assures its preeminent standing, elevates its profile as an innovative leader in the field of undergraduate theater training, and centers social justice and anti-racism in all aspects of its work. 

Under the leadership of the Director of the Theatre Program, the Program Manager collaborates closely with the staff and faculty to play an instrumental role in implementing the  mission, vision, and values through its communication strategies. The chosen candidate should possess strong excellent communication skills, project management skills, with a firm understanding of producing processes, a proven track record for developing and managing a team, exceptional administrative skills and proactive community-building skills   The Program Manager has a deep commitment to equity, access and inclusion and passion for the arts and arts education.  

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 

Communications: 

  • Create a compelling narrative and brand so the Theatre Program  can tell its story—past, present, and future. Innovative management of social media, producing promotional videos about the theater program (i.e. classes, productions, faculty, senior showcase, etc.)

  • Creates and implements a strategy for marketing, publicity, programs, and audience development for the Fordham Theatre mainstage season, Theatre Program, and Performance and Design Showcases. 

  • Organizes, maintains, and has a deep understanding of the Theatre Program’s internal communications; which includes regular newsletters and communications, curating a central digital hub housing the Program’s mission statement, manifestos, academic resources, and policies. 

  • Manages the Program’s external communication, mainly with alumni, industry and peer organizations.  Oversees and organizes database (via Constant Contact) and contact sheets.  Updates website and manages and executes social media image, branding and campaign. Ensures accessibility and transparency in its communications. 

  • Builds an understanding and knowledge for professional and educational opportunities, including internships and international study abroad programs and serves as a resource for students.  Serves as the point person for our colleagues in the industry: NYC theatre, casting offices, production offices, and TV and film venues.

 

Producing

  • Collaborates with Director of the Theatre Program and Production Manager to line produce the mainstage season.  Aligns with Heads of Concentration to oversee the Studio season. Coordinate audition process for mainstage season – informing guest directors of audition process, serving as liaison between guest directors and student stage managers prior to auditions, working with production manager re: scheduling of space, etc.

  • Supports the Theatre Production Manager in booking space for all Program events, including MainStage and studio auditions, workshops, and special guest appearances.

  • Supervises box office and house management (select and train new box office managers, house managers and ushers for mainstage shows); creates front of house schedule for four mainstage shows and Performance Showcase; communicates with facilities staff prior to each mainstage opening and any special events regarding cleaning of auditorium, risers, lobby space, and bathrooms.) supervise photo shoots; select photos for opening night lobby display and photo blow up.  

  • Creates events and forums to foster discussion and strengthen community, often working with other departments and invited professionals.  Line produces Distinguished Guest Lecture Series, including organizing, scheduling and communicating with guest artists.  

  • Responsible for all advertising, publicity, and audience development for Fordham Theatre mainstage season (posters, postcards, mailings, eblasts, social media, photography) Graphic design for all mainstage season promotional materials and production playbills utilizing Adobe CS5 (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Supervise student graphic designers for the playbills.

  • Responsible for organization of annual senior showcase for industry professionals (includes creating save the date postcard and headshot flyer that are mailed within 1 month of each other prior to showcase; creating website for showcase, creating headshot call back sheets for each industry person, organizing stuffing of packets, front of house, and reception before and after event. 

Development 

  • Collaborate with Fordham’s Office of Development and theatre program director in cultivating donors and alumni giving.

  • Research for funding opportunities and grant writing 

Administrative Support:  

  • Works with the Department Secretary to complete adjunct contracts, administration of class schedules and organization,  and orients adjuncts with their teaching assignments and scheduling. 

  • Participates in bi-weekly faculty meetings and monthly Theatre Program Town Hall meetings with students, faculty, and staff as a partner with the Program Director, especially in discussions of vision and policy. Takes minutes in faculty meetings, disseminates them, and follows up on actionable plans. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • B.A or higher

  • 4-5 years of professional experience in handling a wide range of administrative tasks, and the ability to work independently with little or no supervision. 

Successful candidates have/demonstrate: 

  • a firm commitment to equity, accessibility and inclusion

  • a passion for the theater and arts education

  • experience and demonstrated effectiveness in arts management 

  • experience and knowledge in communication and marketing strategies and tools 

  • proven creative problem solving and strong decision-making ability

  • ability to work effectively within an educational environment

  • excellent communication skills, written and verbal

  • excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

  • ability to effectively delegate, prioritize and follow through

  • a strong work ethic and the flexibility to deal with a variable flow of work activity 

  • experience and knowledge of public relations activities and sufficient knowledge in marketing and advertising to supervise marketing efforts

  • Exceptional knowledge of Adobe CS5 (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Issuu, Canva) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Suite and media management including Constant Contact, website (Squarespace) and social media tools.  

Reports to: Director of the Theatre Program 

Supervises: Student crews and workstudy students 

SALARY: $71,000 - $75,000 or commensurate with experience
BENEFITS: package includes health benefits, paid vacation, and sick leave. 

START DATE: ASAP

To apply:  https://careers.fordham.edu/postings/7448

Fordham University is committed to excellence through diversity and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.

Fordham is an Equal Opportunity Employer