Note: To be considered for this position, candidates must include a cover letter specifying their interest  in and qualifications for this position. The cover letter should be the first page of your resume and uploaded as one document.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC, THEATRE AND DANCE: As a comprehensive performing arts school set in one of the world’s finest public institutions of higher education, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) is deeply engaged in the creation, practice, scholarship, and pedagogy of music, theatre, and dance. We aim to provide leadership, nationally and internationally, in all three fields. We assert and celebrate the value of the arts to the mission of the University of Michigan. 

The School of Music, Theatre & Dance situates diversity as a core value and is dedicated to promoting access, equity, and inclusion for all individuals.

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, the Administrator will take general direction from the Chair of Musical Theatre and the Chair of Theatre & Drama. The Administrator will be responsible for the day-to-day operations for events and non-mainstage productions held in the Walgreen Drama Center and the Power Center Rehearsal Room. The Administrator will be responsible for supporting operations for the departments of Musical Theatre and Theatre & Drama including non-main stage productions, guest artists, and other events and activities held within the Walgreen Drama Center. The Administrator will work closely with the Facilities, Concert & Events, and University Productions departments to ensure excellent support for faculty and students. The Administrator must have the ability to manage a high volume of work and projects at one time, shift priorities quickly, communicate effectively with constituents including students, staff, faculty, donors, and guests and have the ability to work in a high paced office to support student success. 

Artistic Administration

• Review and manage production requests to ensure requests can happen within available resources
  • Collaborate with the Production Assistant to analyze and evaluate proposed courses of action by users regarding the safe operation of equipment, life-and fire-safety policies, and proper building usage
• Guest Artists:
  • Create, execute, and manage guest artists agreements for non-main stage productions, master classes, and artistic residencies; work with department administrative specialists to ensure the artists are in the UM system and paid in a timely manner 
  • Work with the administrative specialists to ensure guest artists have access to UM facilities via MCard system or key access; ensure guests have access to any UM systems needed to ensure successful production
  • Coordinate with administrative specialists to ensure guest artists logistics are secure, including housing, air travel, ground logistics; manage other aspects of visits as needed 
  • Greet Guest Artists upon arrival
• Partner with the Chairs of Musical Theatre and Theatre & Drama to create, coordinate, manage and publish the annual calendar of events and non-main stage productions and University Production main stage productions 
• Liaise with other departments that require performances at their events.  Work with the Production Assistant to ensure scheduled performances with offices such as Admissions, Engagement and Outreach, DEI, and Development are supported and successful 
• Coordinate with Production Assistant to ensure equipment and facility rentals are scheduled, when needed
• Obtain quotes for events or productions, when needed

Business Administration

• Develop workflows to assist with efficiencies in process and resources 
• Create, manage, and publish an annual calendar that holds curricular information pertaining to classroom usage
• Manage department administrative specialists
  • Ensure duties are assigned and completed on time; create workflows where needed; approve reported time; manage annual work plans; liaise with Chairs to ensure expectations are met
  • Ensure business office is supporting faculty and students as well as and curricular activities which may including: 
    • Classroom
      • Scheduling –curricular and non-curricular; communicate facilities use rules as appropriate 
    • Student support; overrides and resources
    • Ensure administrative specialists work with faculty on business travel
• Manage new staff positions that may be hired to support overall events and operations, such as a Production Assistant
• Hire, train and manage student employees
• Manage the non-main stage production operations budget; assist in the annual budget preparation, approves expenditures, reconcile accounts  
• Manage the annual budgets; review with Chairs

• Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration or a related field; a minimum of three to five years of professional experience supporting performing arts organizations such as in regional theaters in roles of company management, or stage manager
• Must demonstrate ability to problem solve and to handle varied projects simultaneously under tight deadlines
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to shift priorities when needed and with little notice
• Experience with preparing and managing department budgets and meeting goals
• A team player who can work well with others in sometimes stressful environments
• The ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse community including donors, staff, students, faculty
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong written communication and proof-reading skills.  
• Excellent customer service skills
• This position will have to travel to multiple sites on campus
• Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and some holidays
• Routinely moves equipment weighing up to 50 pounds for various event needs

A pre-employment background check must be conducted before a candidate may receive a firm offer of employment to a staff position at the University of Michigan.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working remotely.   More information on this new policy is available on the Campus Blueprint website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.