Senior Director of Performing Arts

partnerships with in-residence ensembles, community arts organizations, and campus collaborators. A successful candidate brings substantial experience in performing arts administration, proven financial and operational acumen, and demonstrated success in season planning, audience development, and donor/grant engagement. Equally essential are strong skills with collaboration, communication, cultural competency, and the ability to balance instructional needs with revenue-generating performance operations. This is a rare opportunity for a strategic, equity-minded arts leader to shape vibrant programming that enriches both the college and the wider region.

Work Schedule:

Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Rate of Pay:

This is a Full-Time Administrative position at grade 17, with an annual salary range of $84,923 to $113,000. The salary offer will be based on education and experience, in alignment with the College’s compensation philosophy and the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), if applicable.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA, DCA, Commuter)
• Retirement Plans (Pension, 457b, 403b)
• Time Off with Pay
• Professional Development/Expense
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Sick Banks

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Grant Funded:

No

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Graduate degree in arts, nonprofit administration, business, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree with substantial experience leading multi‑venue performing arts operations or comparable nonprofit organizations.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of senior leadership experience in a nonprofit organization, including budget and profit/loss responsibility, contract authority, and supervision of cross‑functional teams.
• Demonstrated success achieving measurable outcomes related to strategic planning, marketing, and organizational goals.
• Proven experience managing mixed income streams, including earned revenue, grants, and contributed income.
• Experience cultivating internal and external partnerships to advance institutional mission and program effectiveness.
• Comprehensive knowledge of performing arts venue management, including marketing, box office operations, online ticket sales, CRM systems, technical production, and front‑of‑house management.
• Working knowledge of performing arts genres (music and theatre) and the nonprofit and commercial performing arts industries at the local, national, and international levels.
• Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements and applicable labor requirements.
• Familiarity with Illinois Community College Board or equivalent requirements related to curriculum and enrollment.
• Strategic thinking and vision development, with the ability to implement complex plans to completion.
• Strong financial management and analytical skills, including data‑informed decision‑making.
• Effective project management skills in a dynamic, high‑volume public programming environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, and communication skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to articulate and advance a clear vision for integrating performing arts programming within the college and the broader community.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity‑minded planning, inclusive programming, and culturally responsive practices.
• Ability to collaborate, build effective teams, and manage conflict in complex organizational settings.

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Experience working in higher education.
• Direct professional experience in the performing arts (e.g., director, producer, performer).
• Comprehensive experience managing all aspects of performing arts venues.
• Fundraising experience, including donor cultivation and sponsorships.
• Experience managing curriculum, faculty, and enrollment processes related to performing arts instruction.

Essential Duties:

• Provide fiscal leadership for instructional and auxiliary units, including strategic planning, budgeting, grant writing, and oversight of revenue and expenses totaling nearly $2 million.
• Ensure auxiliary operations remain financially sustainable and maintain reserve funds.
• Develop and sustain a diversified operational model incorporating earned income, rentals, presenting/producing activities, and contributed income.
• Develop diverse, financially successful performance seasons aligned with the Arts Center’s mission.
• Negotiate and execute artist contracts in compliance with College policies.
• Oversee communication, marketing, and media strategies for all programming.
• Anticipate, assess, and mitigate organizational, contractual, and public‑facing risks associated with live performance events.
• Hire, supervise, and evaluate Arts Center staff, adjunct faculty, and ensemble instructors.
• Administer collective bargaining agreements and address student, faculty, and staff concerns.
• Coordinate private music lessons, ensemble programs, curriculum requirements, course scheduling, and student registration.
• Serve as liaison with in‑residence ensemble partners to ensure alignment with College policies and mutual program goals.
• Coordinate public outreach initiatives with visiting artists, faculty, student ensembles, and community organizations.
• Partner with the College Foundation on fundraising initiatives, donor cultivation, sponsorships, and special events.
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities supporting Arts Center and instructional priorities.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to integrate performing arts programming into curriculum and interdisciplinary initiatives as liaison with in‑residence ensemble partners to ensure alignment with College policies and mutual program goals.
• Other Duties: Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:

Light (up to 25 lbs occasionally or 10lbs frequently)

Visual Acuity:

Close visual acuity (e.g. computer, assembly)

Work Environment:

Moderate noise

Environmental Conditions:

Typical office or administrative

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Elgin Community College does not discriminate, or tolerate discrimination, against any member of its community on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender/gender identity, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law in matters of admissions, employment, or in any aspect of the educational programs or activities it offers.

In addition, Elgin Community College provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access and equal opportunities with regard to employment practices, educational opportunities, and programs and services. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the College’s EEO/AA Officer. Determinations on request for a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Organization

Working at Elgin Community College

Elgin Community College offers 2,000 courses to choose from and services that fit the lifestyles of busy adult learners. Every semester, 6,000 returning adult students take classes at ECC. Their average age is 28, and 80 percent of them are taking one or two courses per semester.

ECC is in the education and training business which means better business for employers and employees. ECC offers relevant and economical professional continuing education, custom business training, and services for small business through the corporate and continuing education division of ECC. Students can select from an array of exciting and in-demand topics that allow them to gain the confidence to embark on a new career, start a small businesses, or convert a personal interest into a paid endeavor. Skilled, professional sales representatives work directly with companies and area employers to assure that presentations developed are custom designed. Instructors with real-world know-how, experienced at working with adults, teach the classes. Applicable state training incentives are used to keep programs cost-effective.

Locations

ECC Campus: Thirteen buildings grace a picturesque 217-acre campus. It's a modern network of buildings where learning is enhanced by the latest equipment, Internet and wireless access and computer instruction across the curricula. ECC is outfitted for the future and continues to grow to meet the ever-changing needs of our students.

Streamwood Center: In 1998, the college and Village of Streamwood remodeled the lower level of Village Hall to include computer and general purpose classrooms. Classes offered there make it easier for those who live in the eastern portions of ECC’s district to attend college.

Satellite Campuses: ECC holds classes throughout the northwest suburbs at off-campus locations scattered across the district. Whether it is a medical center where ECC nursing students assist in patient care, a fire station where students transform into prospective lifesavers, or a nearby forest preserve where bird watching takes over on Saturday mornings, ECC classes are somewhere nearby.

Employment at ECC

ECC provides a work environment that is characterized by the shared values of excellence, freedom of inquiry, equity, ethical practices, accountability, respect for diversity and community engagement.