Company: The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company
Job Description: Program Manager
Reports To: Program Director
Description of Organization: The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company (US) was founded in 1993 and is dedicated to reaching and honoring the voices of LA’s hardest-to-reach youth. Designed to assist youth in under-served and at-risk environments, The Unusual Suspects offers intensive 10-week theatre arts mentoring workshops to help participants develop the self-esteem, communication and coping skills necessary to make positive life choices and be productive members of the community.
Description of the Position: The Unusual Suspects is seeking a Program Manager responsible for the overall management and day-to-day coordination and implementation of team-based theatre and mentoring programs, including but not limited to production management and teaching artist development. Program Manager coordinates all pre-program logistics and scheduling with partner agencies; building relationships with school administrators, community partners and local and county agencies to recruit participants and promote programming. Other responsibilities include: working with Program Director to develop and implement professional development for teaching artists, program evaluation, and curriculum design in order to ensure that standards and guidelines are adhered to, and performances are of superior quality. The Program Manager assists with contract compliance reports, and collaborates with development department regarding program assessment and data collection.
These duties include but are not limited to the following:
§ Develop strong collaborative relationships with school partners, and government and community based service providers to enable the most effective coordination, marketing, and referral system for students and their families.
§ Participate in various school, partner and community meetings
§ Schedule residencies and secure performance venues with school and facility administrators.
§ Work with Program Director to develop objective performance measurements across all sites, to ensure consistent, high-quality evaluation and goal setting with teaching artists.
§ Manage and track program data including collection of surveys and program documentation.
§ Assist with program reporting and contract compliance.
§ Attend pre & post workshop planning meetings to ensure smooth running of the residencies: monitor teaching artist timesheets, help resolve participant issues and disruptive behavior and address production deadlines and inquiries.
§ Recruit, and oversee training and orientation of all volunteer mentors.
§ Coordinate casting for Page Play series.
§ Contract and schedule technical and production staff when needed.
§ Maintain flexibility adjusting to unforeseen circumstances. Fill in where necessary.
§ Understand and adhere to Unusual Suspects and site guidelines and policy. Report to US Administration anything in the work that could be deemed controversial and/or present a possible threat to US programs continuing at the site.
CHARACTERISTICS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
§ Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree and at least 5 years teaching artist experience
§ Strong background in theatre or production management
Strong project management skills managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth § Excellent interpersonal skills; sensitive to the needs of participants, teachers, administrators and peers.
§ Team player who inspires collaboration and functions decisively, but also has the ability to work independently.
§ Superior organizational skills, confident self starter and finisher, paying close attention to detail and follow through.
§ Strong writing and presentation abilities and the ability to communicate effectively.
§ Flexible, energetic, creative, with a strong work ethic, a sense of humor and the ability to respond to many agendas and needs.
Strength in recruiting, managing, developing, coaching, and retaining individuals and teams, empowering them to elevate their levels of responsibility, span-of-control and performance
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Familiarity and comfort with modern technology, including computer systems and software is necessary. Must be able to work weekends and evenings as necessary, drive a motor vehicle, have a valid Drivers License, and lift at least 30 pounds.
COMPENSATION:
Commensurate on experience
Interested applicants are strongly advised to first review The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company website atwww.theunusualsuspects.org http://www.theunusualsuspects.org/and the USTC mission statement and then send a cover letter and resume (including compensation history of past 3 years) to[email protected] mailto:[email protected] and include Program Manager Application in the subject line.
