"Partnerships and Production Manager"

The Arts Initiative, one of the key priorities of Notre Dame's Strategic Framework, brings together the people and programs of the University's extended arts community to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and define the arts as vital to campus and community life. By transcending conventional boundaries - between art forms and across disciplines - the initiative mobilizes the transformative power of the arts to advance knowledge, invigorate learning, and foster human solidarity. Public-facing arts research and creative practice are at the heart of the initiative's efforts to establish Notre Dame as a premier destination to study, practice, and experience the arts. By supporting and enhancing university and local arts programming - from exhibitions to performances to symposia - the initiative aims to sustain welcoming and intellectually rich environments for artistic collaboration and exchange both on and off-campus.

The newly created position of Partnerships and Production Manager is a critical member of the Arts Initiative's small, highly motivated team. Reporting to the Managing Director, the Partnerships and Production Manager will help to plan, implement, and evaluate its community-engaged and public arts programming, including for the Notre Dame Arts Biennial, a six-month collaborative festival grounded in the visual, performing, and literary arts. The inaugural biennial will run from January - June 2027. In addition to strengthening partnerships with local organizations and cultivating new national and global connections, the Partnerships and Production Manager will provide curatorial, administrative, and production management support to ensure the accessibility, inclusivity, and impact of the Initiative's public programming.

Primary Responsibilities

External Partnership Cultivation and Management

Identify, cultivate, and maintain external partnerships with arts organizations, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, community-focused arts events, businesses that support the arts, and individual artists, with an emphasis on South Bend and the broader region. Participate as an active member of the local and regional arts ecosystem, and help to foster positive relationships that advance shared goals. Advise the director and managing director on strategic planning related to publicly engaged programs and Biennial projects.

Project and Production Management

Plan and manage complex projects that involve on- and off-campus collaborators. Facilitate sustained opportunities for external partners to provide meaningful leadership to collaborative projects. Oversee and optimize production processes for public arts events, such as exhibitions, live performances, screenings, and symposia. Includes some night and weekend work.

Storytelling and Reporting

Develop metrics and data collection tools to measure public engagement and impact, and use that information to help draft internal and external reports on the Initiative's work and progress. Curate content to promote public-facing work through both digital and print media. Contribute to development and stewardship activities as needed.

Qualifications

Education Qualifications: Bachelor's degree (4 years)

Experience: 3 to 4 years

Minimum Qualifications

• A deep commitment to the mission of both the Arts Initiative and the University
• A desire to support the flourishing of South Bend and the region through the arts
• Experience with community engagement and/or public programming
• Arts administration, producing, curatorial, and/or project management experience, especially in festival or multi-site settings
• Self-directed, team player with the ability to take initiative and work autonomously as part of a small team while effectively navigating a large University environment
• Analytical problem-solving skills with the ability to juggle competing priorities and meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy and consistency
• Comfortable navigating the ambiguity that comes with a startup project and a willingness to take on additional responsibilities as the Initiative expands
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and Google Workspace
• Ability to learn Notre Dame's software systems, policies, and procedures (GLez, BuyND, etc.), as well as an online project management system (such as Asana)
• Ability to handle sensitive or confidential information with discretion
• Willingness to work occasional nights and weekends based on event schedules

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in an arts or humanities discipline
• Experience working in academic, arts, and/or non-profit environments
• Experience working directly with visual, literary, and/or performing artists and their teams
• Public relations, marketing, or other relevant communications experience
• Experience evaluating and reporting on programmatic impact

Additional Information

Application Deadline to Apply: October 6, 2025

Hiring Pay Range: $60,000 - $68,000 | Commensurate with experience

Benefits Package: Check out our Total Rewards Here

Required Documents: For full consideration, please upload both a resume and cover letter in the Additional Documents section of your application.

Term: Please note that this is a limited term position through June 30, 2029, with the possibility of extension.