Director of Programming & Producing

Overview
Los Angeles Performance Practice (LAPP) is looking for a new team member as we emerge from a leadership transition and organizational restructuring. The Director of Programming & Producing will serve as co-leader in a shared management model for the organization. Working alongside the Director of Advancement & Operations, this position oversees all aspects of programming, including programs for artists, Live Arts Exchange [LAX] Festival, and producing projects. Alongside programmatic and administrative work, the Director of Programming & Producing will proactively develop relationships with Los Angeles-based artists working in contemporary performance, theater, and dance and will propose new programs and initiatives that support the local creative community. The co-leaders will share responsibility for oversight of all communication and marketing needs for LAPP. 

The ideal Director of Programming & Producing is passionate about arts administration, curation, producing, project management, production management, and developing creative content. This position should be versed in program design, budgeting, and evaluation. The candidate will also enjoy travel to performance festivals and conferences to foster contacts, build touring relationships, and negotiate performance tours and presentations. The candidate must be interested in collaborative work styles. 

Essential Functions

LEADERSHIP

• Partner with Co-Director on establishing best practices and protocols for an effective and efficient co-leadership model;
• Participate in regular training and workshops on collective management;

• Work with the Board of Directors and Co-Director on business planning, strategic planning, and long-term organizational thinking;
• Communicate regularly and effectively with Co-Director about activities and seek to support all staff members in their roles as needed;
• Engage the organization in field-wide initiatives;
• Establish a balanced annual operating budget in collaboration with Co-Director;
• Regularly keep abreast of general and tour budgets;
• Proactively identify areas of cost savings and revenue-generating opportunities;

• In collaboration with Co-Director, organize and lead weekly staff meetings on a rotating basis with other Director, annual performance reviews, and quarterly board updates;
• Assist in troubleshooting issues that other staff members cannot readily resolve;
• Co-develop and direct company brand and messaging strategy;
• Represent LAPP at various professional gatherings;
• Contribute to the organization’s well-being with an “all hands on deck” attitude for projects, performances, events, and elsewhere as needed.

PROGRAMS

• Manage program design, budgeting, and evaluation processes;
• Manage LAPP’s existing programs for artists, including FREE ADVICE, WORKSHOPS, ACCELERATOR, RESEARCH + DEVELOPMENT,  and CASUAL showings of new work;
• Ensure administrative setup of all programs, including ticketing, application forms, registrations, online meeting portals, scheduling, competitive review processes, and internal communications;
• Collaborate on program-related marketing strategies (primarily via social media, partner promotions, and email campaigns);
• Participate in program-related grant-writing and reporting in collaboration with the Director of Advancement & Operations;
• Oversee and manage program staff and interns, including conducting yearly performance evaluations and setting individual goals for staff members;
• Proactively develop working relationships with local artists through scheduled meetings, viewing work throughout the year, and offering an open communication channel around our internal programs. 

PRODUCING

• In partnership with the Director of Advancement & Operations, evaluate and select new projects to take on under the Creative Producing activities, including building out and maintaining a project budget;
• Lead line-producing efforts for Los Angeles-based events and performances, including the LAX Festival;
• Occasionally travel with touring projects as a touring producer, working to fulfill company management responsibilities out of town;
• Occasionally provide remote tour management or administrative support for touring projects;
• Participate in fundraising and creative development for select projects;
• Contribute toward partnership development for events and performances.

COMMUNICATIONS
In partnership with Co-Director, manage support staff or contractors to ensure the following: 

• Maintain a consistent brand identity for all of LAPP and all of its programs, programs, and special contracts;
• Manage the organization’s website, create content for blog posts, and update pages using a WordPress back-end;

• Develop and execute all public-facing communications, including email campaigns, print material, advertising copy, and social media;
• Create and post content on the organization’s social media channels;
• Collaborate with programming staff to generate project-specific press releases and materials;
• Work collaboratively with the organization’s programming staff to create content and strategies for paid advertising campaigns;
• Develop and implement marketing plans for all of LAPP’s core activities, including the LAX Festival, Touring Projects, Artist Programs, and Special Contracts;

• Conduct market research to understand better the multiple sides of our market activities (audiences, artists, presenting organizations, and donors);
• Establish goals and objectives to reach segmented stakeholders through appropriate marketing channels;
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on the effectiveness of digital campaigns using key performance indicators including event attendance; 
• Build and maintain relationships with prospective organizational and corporate partners for the purpose of cross-promotion and/or marketing sponsorships;
• Create graphics for digital marketing campaigns using Canva or other design tools.

• Experience/Skills

  Background in arts administration, curation, producing, project management, production management, and developing creative content, with a minimum of two years experience in a professional work environment

• Minimum of two years experience in programming or curating
• Experience with and passion for contemporary performance and emerging forms of live art
• Solid understanding of organizational and project-based budgeting, finance, and communications  
• Excellent people management skills
• Ability to prioritize a complex workload with excellent organizational skills
• Able to take responsibility and make informed operational decisions
• Proficiency in Google Office Suite (Gmail, Google Sheets, Drive, Calendar, Meet apps)
• Demonstrates excellent writing skills and attention to detail
• Experienced and comfortable working with artists at multiple career stages
• Has produced or managed at least two independent performance projects
• Comfortable interfacing with project partners and funders
• Familiarity with strategies and processes in marketing and/or communications.
• Able to work effectively with a team, as well as independently
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple projects
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrates a commitment to supporting artists and a creative community 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position; they do not purport to describe all functions of the position. Employees may be assigned other duties, and the essential functions of the position may change or be changed as necessary.

Schedule

This position will work approximately 30 hours per week. Weekly schedules are responsive to active program activities. This position offers a hybrid work schedule. LAPP’s business hours are Monday through Thursday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Onsite office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Nights and weekends will be required to align with events and productions. Travel may be required for special projects and events. 

Salary: $59,280 – $70,200, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits: All employees have access to accrued sick time and paid time off.  All employees have access to a Guideline Retirement Savings account after six months of service with an employer safe harbor match of 100% of contributions on the first 3% deferred, then 50% of contributions from 3% to 5%.  LAPP will provide a monthly healthcare supplement of $250 following three months of full time employment.

Deadline to apply: May 15, 2024 or until the position is filled.

Documents required to apply: Resume, cover letter

How to apply: send a resume and cover letter to hello@performancepractice.org.