Artistic Planning and Operations Assistant Manager - Washington National Opera (WNO)

About The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts

"I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit." - President John F. Kennedy

The Trump Kennedy Center is the nation's cultural center and living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Located on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Center presents performances across all genres, and is also home to artistic affiliates Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra.

At the Trump Kennedy Center, we strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are able to advance our mission because of our committed and passionate employees. We are fortunate to be able to leverage their diverse perspectives, life experiences and skills to inform how our workplace can be a safe, transparent, and replenishing community. The Trump Kennedy Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law.

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
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA

Pay Details

The Trump Kennedy Center strives to design equitable compensation programs. The projected salary range for this position is $58,000 - $64,000, 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 Assistant Manager of Artistic Planning & Operations for the Washington National Opera (WNO) works closely with the Director of Artistic Planning & Operations and Senior Manager of Artistic Planning & Operations to carry out objectives for the artistic department.

Under the oversight of the Director of Artistic Planning & Operations and Senior Manager of Artistic Planning & Operations, the Assistant Manager serves as the secondary point person for WNO chorus, corp dancers, children's chorus and supers. This includes timesheet collection, payroll processing, and day to day needs.

Under the oversight of the Director of Artistic Planning & Operations, and Senior Manager of Artistic Planning & Operations, the Assistant Manager serves as the primary point person for payment tracking and processing for all WNO principal singers, conductors and directors. This includes regular collaboration with the Kennedy Center Finance department.

The Assistant Manager serves as a member of artistic planning sessions to facilitate achieving financial goals in the current season. In collaboration with the Director of Artistic Planning & Operations and Senior Manager of Artistic Planning & Operations, this position is also responsible for the processing of principle artist contracts and all WNO director, conductor, choreographer, dancer, chorus, children's chorus, and super contracts.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract execution (union, independent contractor, etc). In coordination with Senior Manager of Artistic Planning & Operations, they are responsible for drafting, executing, tracking and processing all WNO artistic contracts. In coordination with the Senior Manager, execute contract packages with directors, conductors, and choreographers for upcoming WNO productions. This includes confirming financial terms and also involves the artistic rights in travel and housing arrangements, payment schedules, etc.
• The Assistant Manager of Artistic Planning & Operations is responsible for drafting, executing, tracking, processing and distribution of payments for all WNO artistic contracts. The Assistant Manager will also serve as the point person for contracts and payroll for the WNO chorus and corps dancers under the oversight of the Senior Manager of Artistic Planning & Operations.
• Collaboration with Kennedy Center Payroll and Accounts Payable departments to achieve timely all artistic payments; collaboration with WNO Rehearsal Planning team for all artistic auditions and related events. Responsible for processing and reporting accurate financial information to AGMA union representatives.
• Administrative support to the Director of Artistic Planning and Operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in artistic operations/administration preferably within a performing arts organization.
• Work experience and interest/knowledge in opera, classical music, or performing arts encouraged.
• Experience with union contracts a strong plus.
• Expertise in Microsoft Excel for budgeting.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent training/ experience
• The successful applicant will have the ability to interact with artists possessing a wide range of personalities and will be able to demonstrate:
  
  
  
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills along with discretion, maturity, and composure, especially under pressure.
  • Must exercise good judgment, show initiative, handle sensitive data in a trustworthy manner.
  • Ability to establish priorities. Multitask. Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
  • High standards and sense of responsibility.
  • Interest in positive interpersonal interaction, openness to diverse work situations, and sense of humor strongly encouraged.
  • Knowledge of computerized information systems and their application, including Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office, knowledge of ArtsVision a strong plus.
  
  
  
  
• 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

• The noise level in the work environment is consistent with an opera environment including frequent exposure to elevated levels of sound from instrumentalists and vocalists.
• Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including extended hours, evenings and weekends.

ABOUT WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA

An affiliate of the Trump Kennedy Center, Washington National Opera is led by General Director Timothy O'Leary and internationally-acclaimed stage director and WNO Artistic Director, Francesca Zambello. WNO celebrates its 70^th anniversary in 2026. Each season, the $24 million company produces five innovative mainstage productions-from the classics to the rare to the contemporary-and an annual holiday opera for families. Since 2012, the company's much-lauded American Opera Initiative has commissioned and produced 36 twenty-minute operas, three each year, from emerging composers and librettists, and 7 hour-long operas, 6 of which have subsequently been seen at companies across the U.S. WNO's Cafritz Young Artists program is considered one of the finest resident training and career advancement programs in the world, offering singers on the verge of international careers intensive coaching, career guidance, and-importantly-supporting roles in WNO mainstage productions and leading roles in the American Opera Initiative world premieres. WNO and the Kennedy Center annually celebrate the Marian Anderson Award given to a young American singer who has achieved initial success in opera, oratorio, or recital repertory with an annual recital, and WNO, in concert with Kennedy Center Education, oversee the WNO Opera Institute, a summer training program for high school singers. WNO further extends its mission into the community with programs throughout the year in churches, community centers, at the Library of Congress and other major institutions, with the tech community, and with teens at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center.