Associate Director, Laffont Competition
The Laffont Competition Associate Director provides operational, communications, and administrative leadership for all constituents of the Competition: singers, volunteers, judges, pianists, donors, Met board members, and the audiences and communities they serve. This position works closely with the Executive Director to execute the vision and mission of the Competition, and supervises additional Competition staff and interns. Additionally, the Associate Director evaluates singers as a Competition judge, scouts talent for the Competition and the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, and produces the Semifinal and Grand Final rounds, including a livestream video broadcast.
Primary Responsibilities
• Work with the Executive Director, Chairman and President of the Laffont Competition to ensure successful operation of the Competition throughout its Districts and Regions.
• Produce the National Semifinals and Grand Finals Concert including livestream video and audio broadcasts, and all aspects of event management, concert production, and artist support.
• Supervise Competition staff and interns, delegating duties as needed. Maintain regular communication with all Competition constituents.
• Track all financial aspects of the department including payroll of awards, donation and invoice processing, budgeting, and reporting status regularly to the Executive Director.
• Project management of the Resonance software platform which is used to administer the Competition. Ability to research and adopt other technological solutions as needed.
• Develop and execute all external communication strategies for the Competition, including on social media, the Met website, and press releases while maintaining and periodically updating branding standards.
• Liaise with Met departments to operate the Competition including Artistic, Development, Special Events, Finance, Payroll, Production, and Marketing.
• Produce and maintain all materials for annual Competition meetings, and coordinate all events of the Grand Finals weekend.
• Evaluate Competition applicants, travel to District and Region sites as required to judge, supervise operations, and liaise with Competition volunteers and their communities. Serve on LYADP audition panels, and report to the Artistic Department on singers and productions, as needed.
• Assume responsibilities of Artistic Manager in Attendance at Met performances, as assigned.
• Represent the Competition within the Met and in the opera industry, at fundraising events, and at academic institutions.
Skills and Qualifications
- Master's degree in related field (ie music or opera) or equivalent experience. Five or more years of experience in a vocal arts institution is desired, with proven artistic and administrative leadership.
- Exceptional project management skills with high level of efficiency, organization, attention to micro and macro details, solutions-based systems creation and management, and tracking of task completion.
- Strong background and knowledge of operatic vocal development, repertoire, career development, and the opera industry.
- Skilled at maintaining professional brand identity across digital and print materials including a sharp eye for visual aesthetics and professional design trends.
Physical Demands
- Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with constituents who vary greatly by geography and culture, age, and socioeconomic background.
- Ability to shift quickly between highly developed administrative and analytic skills, and creative/artistic-based solutions.
- Commitment to opera, developing opera singers, volunteer and donor engagement, and enthusiasm for a collaborative team environment.
- Travel is required for this position. A hybrid work environment with flexible schedule is needed.