Position Overview

Starting Salary Range is $85,841.60 - $90,220. The initial salary offer is commensurate with education and related work experience.

Lee College's Performing Arts Center is poised to be the cultural heart of Southeast Texas where artistry and community converge, where students discover confidence through creative expression, and where the region gathers for unforgettable cultural experiences. The ADGM will be a steward of both artistic possibility and institutional excellence, positioned to leave a lasting legacy that enriches the College, the community, and the broader arts landscape.

Lee College seeks a dynamic and visionary Artistic Director & General Manager (ADGM) to lead the Performing Arts Center (PAC) into its next era of art excellence. This dual-role executive will serve as both the chief creative voice and administrative leader for the PAC, developing bold artistic programming, managing operational and financial functions, and activating community partnerships that position the PAC as a cultural magnet for Southeast Texas.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Artistic Vision & Leadership

• Chart the creative course of the PAC with strategic artistic planning
• Define and implement a compelling multi-year artistic vision that reflects Lee College's mission and regional aspirations
• Curate seasonal programming that spans disciplines (theater, music, dance, lectures, film, and interdisciplinary arts) and appeals to diverse audiences.
• Champion inclusive, innovative, and community-reflective artistic voices, welcoming both established artists and emerging talent.
• Establish the PAC as a destination for signature events, festivals, and competitions
• Serve as the public artistic spokesperson for the PAC, embodying its mission through public engagement, media presence, and community representation

Operational & Administrative Strategy

• Lead the administrative engine of the PAC with excellence and efficiency
• Oversee day-to-day operations including front-of-house, ticketing systems, production planning, box office, facilities scheduling, and safety compliance
• Manage and optimize PAC budgets, financial planning, reporting, and resource allocation
• Promote sound financial practices, including revenue diversification through ticket sales, rentals, sponsorships, and partnerships
• Collaborate with Lee College leadership on strategic planning, policy development, and institutional alignment
• Ensure quality systems for patron services, performance support, staffing, and vendor relations

Community & Educational Partnerships

• Activate the PAC as a community staple and educational engine
• Forge and grow partnerships with K-12 schools, regional arts organizations, nonprofit allies, UIL districts, and higher education institutions
• Lead outreach programs bridging performing arts with community learning such as workshops, masterclasses, student showcases, and youth engagement initiatives
• Advance opportunities for underserved populations to access arts experiences, reinforcing cultural participation
• Serve as an ambassador for Lee College and the PAC in civic, cultural, and economic development contexts

Fundraising & Resource Development

• Sustain and expand financial support for artistic excellence
• In collaboration with development staff, co-lead fundraising strategy including cultivation of PAC donors, sponsorships, grants, and major gifts
• Collaborate with advancement staff, foundations, and community investors to secure mission-critical resources
• Prepare compelling proposals, reports, and presentations for funding partners

Team Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Cultivate a high-performing, team culture
• Recruit, hire, supervise, and mentor PAC staff, including technical, administrative, marketing, and production teams
• Champion professional development within the PAC staff
• Support cross-departmental collaboration across Lee College

Minimum Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Master's (or higher) degree in Arts Administration, Performing Arts Leadership, Arts Management, or related field OR equivalent professional experience
• Minimum seven to ten (7-10) years of progressive leadership experience in performing arts programming, arts administration, or cultural institution management with a track record of strategic artistic visioning and operational success
• Demonstrated success in community engagement, partnership cultivation, and audience development
• Proven financial literacy including budgeting, revenue generation, fundraising, and fiscal oversight
• Excellent communicator with strong presentation, public speaking, and stakeholder relationship skills
• Commitment to broad access, usability, and arts education for people of all ages and backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a higher education performing arts environment, or arts leadership within a cultural institution of comparable size and scope
• Strong network within the regional and national arts community, with experience negotiating artistic collaborations, touring agreements, and resident artist partnerships
• Demonstrated capacity to innovate in digital engagement, audience growth strategies, and hybrid arts programming
• Teaching or mentoring experience in arts education appreciated