California State University, Northridge · 1 month ago
Executive and Artistic Director, The Soraya
Northridge, CA
Internship
Onsite
Intern, Director/Executive
$260K/yr - $285K/yr
6+ years expCalifornia State University, Northridge (CSUN) is home to The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, a premier cultural hub. The Executive and Artistic Director will provide leadership for programming, fundraising, and community engagement while enhancing the cultural life of the San Fernando Valley.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
No H1B
Responsibilities
Articulate an overall artistic vision consistent with CSUN’s mission and academic goals that models the CSUN Leadership Principles
Develop and present programming across music (symphonic and classical, jazz, world, popular), Broadway, opera, dance, lectures, and film, working with the Director of Programming to select and contract guest artists/ensembles and managing relationships with artistic partners
Ensure programming reflects and supports CSUN’s arts and media instruction as well as reflecting the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles communities, while maintaining the Soraya’s reputation for excellence
Foster a supportive environment for guest artists, ensembles, students, faculty, and audiences to ensure excellent performances and experiences
Oversee the master calendar, scheduling, and production of concerts, rehearsals, and events at The Soraya, as well as venue operations in collaboration with the leadership team of The Soraya
Initiate and guide creative and collaborative leadership for all operations at the Great Hall and Plaza del Sol, including programming, production, facilities, development, marketing/communications, box office, board relations, artistic administration, and hospitality
Define strategic goals and organizational priorities, working closely with CSUN leadership to engage in creative problem-solving alongside advisory committees, management/operations teams, and campus leadership
Develop and implement balanced budgets and strategic plans to maintain fiscal sustainability, monitor financial performance, ensure compliance with university fiscal policies, and manage grants, sponsorships, and special gifts alongside the General Manager
Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan, in partnership with CSUN University Relations and Advancement, including individual, corporate, foundation, and government opportunities, as well as cultivating and stewarding major donors and creating opportunities to connect artists and donors
Create interdisciplinary collaborations and arts education initiatives, in partnership with academic departments and faculty, to consistently communicate with campus constituencies, ensuring alignment and transparency in planning and programming
Establish a year-round community and school-based educational programs that foster appreciation of the arts, and support student recruitment, engagement, and academic enrichment through campus-based arts programming with the Campus Engagement Associate
Nurture ongoing working relationships between production departments (including those in the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication and the Dance programs in the College of Health and Human Development) and the professional field, initiating jobs and internships, with learning experiences to grow and develop exposure and experience
Develop and maintain sustainable relationships with vendors, renters, resident companies, and community partners
Set policies for facility use beyond scheduled performances and ensure compliance with safety, accessibility, and service standards
Oversee front- and back-of-house operations with the General Manager and the Director of Audience Services, ensuring hospitality to provide high-quality experiences
Supervise the training of the operations staff, ensuring compliance with safety and customer service standards
Direct marketing, communications, and public relations strategies with the Director of Marketing and Communications to build The Soraya brand locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally
Serve as an innovative thinker in identifying, reaching, and engaging broad community audiences, growing patron and subscriber bases while also encouraging student, faculty, and community attendance, positioning The Soraya as a destination of choice for all performing arts audiences
Develop and implement comprehensive external affairs strategies, including cross-promotions and sponsorships with campus and community partners, while also building relationships with civic organizations, chambers of commerce, schools, and local governments to position The Soraya as a cultural and educational resource
Represent the Soraya in local, regional, national, and international conferences as well as arts/education organizations, serving as a representative for both The Soraya and CSUN
Qualification
Required
A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a job-related field is required
A minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in operating and managing a successful performing arts center is required, including at least three years in a managerial role
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and supervisory skills are essential
The ability to lead, motivate, and manage diverse teams is required
A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and a large group of constituents
Preferred
A master's degree is desirable
Strong financial and operational management skills, including oversight of a similarly sized budget and staff, are highly desirable
A vision for integrating professional presenting programs with university curricula in music, dance, and theater is favored
A thorough knowledge of music and the performing arts, coupled with a proven track record in programming, presenting, and engaging audiences, is preferred
Experience with donor cultivation and cross-sector partnerships is a plus
Benefits
Comprehensive group insurance benefit program
Health insurance with medical, vision, and dental care
Health and dependent care reimbursement accounts
Parking deduction plan
Long-term disability
Voluntary 403(b) plan with a matching contribution
CALPERS
CALHR Savings
CALHR (401K)
Vacation
Sick
Bereavement
Parental
Organ donor
Holiday
Jury duty leave time
Workers’ compensation
Life insurance
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Fee waiver for up to two courses, or six units, whichever is greater, per term
Fee waiver benefit may also be transferred to a spouse, registered domestic partner, or eligible dependent child
Company
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge is a public, comprehensive university committed to educational and professional goals of students.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$3.08MKey Investors
Gold Coast Health PlanHollywood Foreign Press AssociationNASA
2025-06-25Grant· $0.08M
2022-07-26Grant
2019-10-22Grant· $3M
Leadership Team
CSUN Social Impact DesignHub
Student Designers. Community Partners. Creative Solutions.
Jill Smith, SPHR
Senior Advisor, Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives
Recent News
2025-12-10
2025-10-09
Company data provided by crunchbase