Career Center

Job Summary:

The College seeks an exceptional leader to guide a dynamic, multivenue academic and community performing arts center. This role oversees a $1.7M instructional and auxiliary portfolio, leading artistic programming, contract negotiations, marketing strategy, and financial stewardship to ensure mission-aligned, fiscally sustainable operations. The Senior Director also supervises faculty and staff, supports academic music programs including private lessons and ensembles, and fosters strong partnerships with in-residence ensembles, community arts organizations, and campus collaborators. A successful candidate brings substantial experience in performing arts administration, proven financial and operational acumen, and demonstrated success in season planning, audience development, and donor/grant engagement. Equally essential are strong skills with collaboration, communication, cultural competency, and the ability to balance instructional needs with revenue-generating performance operations. This is a rare opportunity for a strategic, equity-minded arts leader to shape vibrant programming that enriches both the college and the wider region.

Work Schedule:

Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Grant Funded:

No

Essential Duties:

• Provide fiscal leadership for instructional and auxiliary units, including strategic planning, budgeting, grant writing, and oversight of revenue and expenses totaling nearly $2 million.
• Ensure auxiliary operations remain financially sustainable and maintain reserve funds.
• Develop and sustain a diversified operational model incorporating earned income, rentals, presenting/producing activities, and contributed income.
• Develop diverse, financially successful performance seasons aligned with the Arts Center’s mission.
• Negotiate and execute artist contracts in compliance with College policies.
• Oversee communication, marketing, and media strategies for all programming.
• Anticipate, assess, and mitigate organizational, contractual, and public?facing risks associated with live performance events.
• Hire, supervise, and evaluate Arts Center staff, adjunct faculty, and ensemble instructors.
• Administer collective bargaining agreements and address student, faculty, and staff concerns.
• Coordinate private music lessons, ensemble programs, curriculum requirements, course scheduling, and student registration.
• Serve as liaison with in?residence ensemble partners to ensure alignment with College policies and mutual program goals.
• Coordinate public outreach initiatives with visiting artists, faculty, student ensembles, and community organizations.
• Partner with the College Foundation on fundraising initiatives, donor cultivation, sponsorships, and special events.
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities supporting Arts Center and instructional priorities.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to integrate performing arts programming into curriculum and interdisciplinary initiatives as liaison with in?residence ensemble partners to ensure alignment with College policies and mutual program goals.
• Other Duties: Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:

Light (up to 25 lbs occasionally or 10lbs frequently)

Visual Acuity:

Close visual acuity (e.g. computer, assembly)

Work Environment:

Moderate noise

Environmental Conditions:

Typical office or administrative

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Elgin Community College does not discriminate, or tolerate discrimination, against any member of its community on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender/gender identity, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law in matters of admissions, employment, or in any aspect of the educational programs or activities it offers.

In addition, Elgin Community College provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access and equal opportunities with regard to employment practices, educational opportunities, and programs and services. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the College’s EEO/AA Officer. Determinations on request for a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Graduate degree in arts, nonprofit administration, business, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree with substantial experience leading multi?venue performing arts operations or comparable nonprofit organizations.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of senior leadership experience in a nonprofit organization, including budget and profit/loss responsibility, contract authority, and supervision of cross?functional teams.
• Demonstrated success achieving measurable outcomes related to strategic planning, marketing, and organizational goals. 
• Proven experience managing mixed income streams, including earned revenue, grants, and contributed income.
• Experience cultivating internal and external partnerships to advance institutional mission and program effectiveness.
• Comprehensive knowledge of performing arts venue management, including marketing, box office operations, online ticket sales, CRM systems, technical production, and front?of?house management.
• Working knowledge of performing arts genres (music and theatre) and the nonprofit and commercial performing arts industries at the local, national, and international levels.
• Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements and applicable labor requirements.
• Familiarity with Illinois Community College Board or equivalent requirements related to curriculum and enrollment.
• Strategic thinking and vision development, with the ability to implement complex plans to completion.
• Strong financial management and analytical skills, including data?informed decision?making.
• Effective project management skills in a dynamic, high?volume public programming environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, and communication skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to articulate and advance a clear vision for integrating performing arts programming within the college and the broader community.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity?minded planning, inclusive programming, and culturally responsive practices.
• Ability to collaborate, build effective teams, and manage conflict in complex organizational settings.

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Experience working in higher education.
• Direct professional experience in the performing arts (e.g., director, producer, performer).
• Comprehensive experience managing all aspects of performing arts venues.
• Fundraising experience, including donor cultivation and sponsorships.
• Experience managing curriculum, faculty, and enrollment processes related to performing arts instruction.

About Elgin Community College

Elgin Community College serves over 9,000 students at every stage of their educational journeys, including university transfer programs, career and technical education, continuing education classes, and adult basic education. As a community, we pride ourselves on nurturing a welcoming campus where every person—students, staff members, faculty members, and campus visitors—feels valued. The work of each ECC employee is central to the college’s mission, and as an employer, the college fosters a positive environment through professional challenges, excellent benefits, and opportunities for recognition and camaraderie.

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