University Programs Manager

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How to Apply

You must apply through the U-M Jobs website (umjobs.org). To be considered, your application package must include a resume and cover letter, not to exceed one page, describing how this position fits with and advances your career goals.

Who We Are

Now in its 148th season, UMS continues to showcase traditional performing arts alongside contemporary artists and is admired across the country for its boundary-pushing roster of artists and its curious and supportive audiences.

Housed on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, UMS is one of the oldest performing arts presenters in the country, committed to connecting audiences with performing artists from around the world in uncommon and engaging experiences. With a program steeped in music, dance, and theater, UMS contributes to a vibrant cultural community by presenting approximately 60-75 performances and over 100 free educational activities each season. UMS also commissions new work, sponsors artist residencies, and organizes collaborative projects with local, national, and international partners.

UMS was selected as one of the 2014 recipients of the National Medal of Arts, the nation's highest public artistic honor, awarded annually by the president of the United States at the White House to those who have "demonstrated a lifetime of creative excellence," according to the National Endowment for the Arts, which oversees the selection process. For more information on UMS visit: www.ums.org. We are committed to the development of staff who thrive and contribute to a positive and inclusive

Responsibilities*

(90%) Arts/Academic Integration Program Administration and Development

Relationship Building:

• Effectively build and maintain working relationships and act as a liaison to:

• U-M faculty, students, and administrators who are key UMS collaborators

• Visiting artists who participate in engagement activities on campus

• Key community collaborators outside of the U-M community

• Working with U-M faculty, research and identify potential curricular connections between the UMS season and University course offerings

• Host artist visits to classrooms and facilitates interactions with students and faculty

• Actively recruit faculty participation in UMS programs from schools and colleges beyond SMTD and LSA

• Maintain connections with ongoing, annualized courses and programs such as Great Performances and Medical Arts Program

• Promote learning through the arts in the student population

Program Administration and Development:

• Manage and contribute to the development of UMS's university programs. Manage artist participation in the programs, determining availability and/or capacity to participate. Follow industry trends in campus engagement, arts integration techniques, and creative learning, and apply innovative strategies to connect U-M and the campus community with UMS.
• Administer UMS course development grants and facilitate Classroom Tickets program
• Serve as the primary coordinator between UMS, LSA and SMTD in the planning and delivery of masterclasses and other student engagement with artists
• Provide promotional, curricular and administrative support for faculty members teaching the annual "Engaging Performance" course (a collaboration between LSA, SMTD, and UMS)
• Lead application process and provide administrative support for the UMS/UM-Flint Artist in Residence, working with contacts at the Arts & Culture Research Cluster and Riverbank Arts at UM-Flint
• Manage the 21st Century Artist Internship program, liaising with contacts internally and at SMTD; oversee the application process, selection of interns, placement with external companies, and offer guidance and support to interns throughout the process
• With the Vice President of Learning & Engagement, contribute to the development of and evolution of plans for continuing arts integration and campus engagement for the future

Logistics and Implementation:

• Plan and communicate program budgetary needs and variances, deadlines, marketing/promotional needs, staffing and other logistics;
• Manage and track expenses related to UMS's campus engagement programs, including honoraria, course development funds, and fees to faculty and guest content creators, along with all expenses and contracts related to artist participation
• Evaluate and assess campus engagement programs, measuring progress against goals
• Contribute to fundraising proposals and reporting with data collection and tracking, plus qualitative analysis and feedback
• Communicate marketing and promotional requirements to support UMS's campus engagement programs

Lead Production (10% as assigned)

• Serve as a lead producer of select UMS mainstage and Ypsilanti Freighthouse performances and events, taking lead responsibility for the successful implementation of the given event or residency.
• Duties include:
• Contract, process, and disseminate all legal agreements between UMS and artists;
• Advance show with road management;
• Build and manage production schedules and assess all staffing needs;
• Work with the Vice President of Learning & Engagement to explore and facilitate program activities;
• Coordinate with the UMS Production Director to plan and implement all technical and production needs for the event or residency.

What You'll Do

The University Programs Manager is responsible for programmatic and administrative management for UMS's campus engagement programs which support arts/academic integration projects for U-M faculty and students. This position includes developing curricular connections between the UMS season of performing arts and many U-M schools and colleges (with LSA and SMTD as primary partners), providing faculty with training, strategies, and financial resources to integrate the performing arts into their discipline curricula and classrooms, and supporting student engagement with UMS. This position serves as lead producer for 3-5 of UMS's Ypsilanti Freighthouse and mainstage live performances annually.

Required Qualifications*

• 1-2 years' experience working in a higher education setting; demonstrated ability in communicating effectively with faculty, administrators, and students in developing content-based events.
• B.A. or B.F.A. in theater, dance, music or the humanities.
• Ability to navigate a variety of University settings (such as faculty meetings, departmental forums, panels, and advisory committees) as a highly visible, public representative and advocate for UMS.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, as well as proficient skills in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• 1-2 years' experience in program development, cultural engagement, and event planning.
• Ability to work weekend and evening hours.
• Ability to work onsite to manage and supervise projects.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with post-secondary teaching and curricular development is a plus (including graduate student teaching).
• Additional applicable years' experience working in a higher education setting.
• Additional applicable years' experience in program development, cultural engagement and event planning.
• Masters degree or higher in theater, dance, music or the humanities.

Why Work at Michigan?

We offer a benefits package that includes comprehensive training and career development opportunities, generous retirement savings plans, ample paid time off, and a wealth of family care support: https://careers.umich.edu/benefits/

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Work Locations

This is a full-time position that regularly requires evening and weekend work, with a core weekday M-F schedule. It is based in Ann Arbor, MI, on the campus of the University of Michigan. Evening and weekend work may be required.

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.