Director- Orchestra Personnel and Operations (WNO)

About the Washington National Opera

In 1956, the sound of opera rang out in DC, heralding the birth of a new company. Four decades and countless artistic leaps later, Washington National Opera continues to move boldly forward on the great adventure that began years ago in a university auditorium. Washington National Opera is now one of the nation's leading opera companies and plays to standing room audiences in the Kennedy Center.

Kennedy Center Mission Statement: As America's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across the United States and around the world, connecting the greatest living artists with audiences of every stripe, no matter their background. We welcome all Americans and creators and visitors from across the globe to discover, experience, learn about, be inspired by, and engage with the arts.

Why Join Us

We offer a total rewards package to all full-time employees to include:

• Staff offers for discount tickets
• Retirement plan with organization matching (after 1 year of employment)
• Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Commuter programs including pre-tax options for discounted parking and SmartBenefits (WMATA)
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Days available immediately upon hire
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA

Pay Details

The Kennedy Center strives to design equitable compensation programs. The projected salary range for this position is $120,000 - $129,000, commensurate with experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package. This is the targeted range of possible compensation for this role at the time of posting. This range may be modified in the future. Base pay within the range is ultimately determined by a candidate's skills, expertise, and experience as it relates to the position qualifications and responsibilities.

Job Description

The Director of Orchestra Personnel and Operations (DOPO) provides leadership and oversees orchestra management and production operations, guided by the vision and strategies in the Kennedy Center's Strategic Plan. A key member of the Planning and Operations teams, the position: 1) Serves as an advocate for the Orchestra and nurtures a strong rapport with union and Orchestra leadership; 2) Serves as the primary contractual liaison for all orchestra engagements with the Kennedy Center and Washington National Opera.

The Director of Orchestra Personnel and Operations will be a collaborative and dedicated leader with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. A people-oriented leader and persuasive communicator, they will be comfortable interacting with multiple constituencies and easily adapt to differing situations. Resourceful and flexible, they will possess excellent organizational and project management skills.

Key Responsibilities

Personnel Management:

• In managing the 60-70 member Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra (KCOHO) and Washington National Opera Orchestra (WNOO), shape a work environment that supports healthy relationships among all internal constituents, while advancing strategies and processes that support the continued artistic growth of the orchestras.
• Manage the Orchestra operations team and oversee functions and related activities of the KCOHO library.

Strategy & Operations:

• The role works autonomously with little to no oversight within the guidelines of the CBA. This role will assess programming for the orchestral needs for all relevant shows (over 50% of all KC yearly performances), which includes defining orchestral requirements and then ensures all requirements are met. o Develops the orchestra schedules, creates the rehearsal and performance plots, outlines the instrumentation requirements, and then oversees the implementation and execution of all KCOHO/WNOO services.
• Create and oversee the Orchestra calendar, utilizing Orchestra services in the most effective manner and in accordance with two distinct Collective Bargaining Agreements. This requires extensive cross-departmental collaboration and communication with visiting companies.
• With KC and WNO leadership, and working with artistic and production teams, oversee the production of all KCOHO/WNOO programs.
• Research, draft, plan, and execute all Media related work under the appropriate AFM media agreements and ensure correct reporting and payments.
• Guide the Orchestra Personnel team on sensitive personnel matters that impact programs or that have contractual and financial implications.
• Provide show coverage as needed.

Collective Bargaining:

• Manage collective bargaining process with Local 161-710 of the American Federation of Musicians, in collaboration with Center's Office of General Counsel.
• Organize, advise, and support strategic approach, financial modeling, and operationalization for collective bargaining process, working closely with Kennedy Center
• Ensure productive negotiations that advance the mission, vision, and goals of the organizations, and that maintain a harmonious relationship with the musicians and union leaders.

Budget Management: This role oversees, allocates, and manages the expense budgets for KCOHO and WNOO, which includes projecting, updating, and maintaining roughly $8 million in expense. This role is responsible for the financial governance as well as creation and maintenance of policies for the guaranteed hours and monies outlined in the two CBAs as well as department budgets.

Communications:

• Serves as the primary management liaison with the Orchestra Committee, Artistic Liaison Committee, other various orchestra committees, and AFM Local 161-710.
• Communicate with the Orchestra regarding concert operations and high level personnel policies.
• Interface with visiting companies, conductors, and artists, demonstrating a commitment to collaboration and artistic quality.
• Serve as primary contractual liaison and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with all artistic departments at the Kennedy Center.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Attend concerts and events frequently to gain additional insight into the performance of the Orchestra, sharing perspectives and observations with KC and WNO leadership and Music Directors.
• Participate actively or collaborate with national organizations such as the League of American Orchestras, the American Federation of Musicians, and the International Conference of Symphony and Orchestra Musicians to stay informed of trends and general activities in the orchestra and performing arts sector. o Perform other duties as needed or directed.

Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in music, orchestra management, arts management or a related discipline required.
• A minimum of five years of experience in a senior-level position with an orchestra or performing arts organization is required.
• Working knowledge of the performing arts field is preferred
• Strong communication skills are imperative, as are interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with professional musicians and music professionals.
• Experience navigating complex relationships, managing priorities, and mediating conflict.
• Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and strong supervisory skills.
• Must exercise good judgment, show initiative, and handle sensitive data in a trustworthy manner.
• Must be able to juggle many immediate and long-range tasks and priorities and remain calm under pressure.
• Experience with collective bargaining units and bargaining process highly preferred
• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided.
• Candidate must be willing to work onsite.

Additional Information

• Successful candidates will also have experience successfully managing in a complex, fast-paced organization with multiple programs, venues, entities and events.
• Office culture encourages professional growth through internal promotion whenever possible
• Event-based evening and weekend work required
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate