Temporary Mannes Summer Piano Festival Supervisor

POSITION TITLE

Temporary Mannes Summer Piano Festival Supervisor

Mannes School of Music

College of Performing Arts

POSITION/ROLE OVERVIEW

The Mannes School of Music at The New School's College of Performing Arts is seeking a highly qualified Temporary Mannes Summer Piano Festival Supervisor to join its team. Reporting to the Festival Director and cross reporting to the Vice Dean, the Temporary Mannes Summer Piano Festival Supervisor is directly responsible for the planning and execution of the festival's daily operations in the months leading up to, and during the festival between July 12-26, 2026.

The Festival Supervisor is responsible for the full-scale planning, execution, and oversight of the 2026 Mannes Summer Piano Festival, a two-week intensive program featuring masterclasses, concerts, competitions, and student workshops. This role ensures that all artistic, logistical, and operational aspects of the festival run smoothly, serving as the primary liaison between Marketing and Development teams, festival artists, registered students, and administrative and production staff.

The Festival Supervisor will lead all pre-event efforts and communications, oversee festival logistics and staffing, manage on-site operations, and provide post-festival reporting. The role requires a strong background in event production, arts administration, and artist relations, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments while maintaining a high level of organization and attention to detail.

This is an FLSA nonexempt temporary hourly position, following the below estimated weekly schedule:

• 3/16/2026-7/11/2026 - up to 15 hours per week
• 7/12/2026-7/26/2026 - up to 35 hours per week
• 7/27/2026-7/30/2026 - up to an additional 15 hours

CORE CAPABILITIES, PRIMARY DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Development & Administration

• Develop and implement festival programming in collaboration with the Artistic Director.
• Coordinate guest artists' invitations, contracts, and travel/hospitality arrangements.
• Liaise with The New School's Marketing and Development teams to design outreach strategies and promotional materials.
• Work with the staff to ensure venue bookings, ticketing, and performance schedules align with institutional guidelines.
• Forecast, track, and manage the festival budget, including artist fees, production costs, and staffing expenses.

Staffing & Operations

• Oversee a team of three Festival Assistants, ensuring clear delegation of responsibilities.
• Work with the College of Performing Arts' production team to secure technical, front-of-house, and box office support.
• Develop a detailed festival timeline, including rehearsals, performances, workshops, and student engagement activities.

Student Recruitment & Engagement

• Oversee the student application process, ensuring smooth registration and communication.
• Manage student inquiries, housing logistics, and on-campus accommodations.

Festival Leadership & Logistics

• Serve as the primary on-site manager, ensuring seamless execution of all festival events.
• Oversee daily festival operations, including masterclasses, rehearsals, and public performances.
• Supervise and provide guidance to Festival Assistants, ensuring efficient task management.
• Act as the primary liaison for guest artists, faculty, and students, addressing concerns and troubleshooting issues in real-time.
• Ensure competition rounds and showcase performances run smoothly, coordinating with judges, production teams, and festival staff.
• Manage artist hospitality, including green room setup, catering, and transportation needs.

Production & Audience Engagement

• Work closely with College of Performing Arts technical and front-of-house teams to ensure proper lighting, sound, and stage management.
• Ensure a professional and welcoming experience for all audiences, including community members, donors, and press.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of experience in event production, arts administration, or festival management, preferably in a performing arts setting.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Experience managing teams and working collaboratively with artists, faculty, and production staff.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience with event budgeting, artist contracts, and program logistics.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, high-energy environment, with the ability to problem-solve under pressure.
• Familiarity with The New School/Mannes School of Music's administrative structure is a plus.
• Proficiency in event management software, Google Suite, and project tracking tools.

WORK MODE

This position is primarily in-person and is based on campus to support effective in-person collaboration and engagement.

Hybrid work arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the role and operational needs. Any such arrangement must be discussed and approved in advance by the appropriate division lead or their designee.

SALARY RANGE

$35.00/hour

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their skills and experience concerning this position.

We look forward to receiving your application!

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