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.

Compensation / Benefits: Salary Range: $59,280 – $70,200, depending on qualifications and experience.

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 22, 2024

How to apply: send a resume and cover letter to hello@performancepractice.org. All candidates who meet the experience and skills requirements listed above are invited to apply, and we strongly encourage individuals not historically represented in the arts sector to apply. Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

Los Angeles Performance Practice is an equal opportunity employer. We will extend equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local laws. Our policy reflects and affirms LAPP’s commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all discriminatory practices.

About
Los Angeles Performance Practice is a non-profit organization devoted to the production and presentation of contemporary performance by artists whose work advances and challenges multidisciplinary artistic practices.

Our mission is to support a unique and diverse constellation of artists and audiences through the active creation and presentation of groundbreaking experiences that use innovative approaches to collaboration, technology, and social engagement. Anchored in Los Angeles, our artists and projects have national and global reach.

Across a range of platforms and partnerships, we build an active network of contemporary practitioners—curators and producers, artists and designers, audiences and patrons—all leveraged in service to the ideas and issues of our time.