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The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts · 2 days ago

Personnel Manager - Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra/Washington National Opera

Washington, DC

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

$75K/yr - $84K/yr

2+ years exp

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a leading cultural center in the United States, dedicated to the arts and the legacy of President John F. Kennedy. The Personnel Manager for the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and Washington National Opera is responsible for overseeing orchestra personnel, managing day-to-day operations, and ensuring effective communication between musicians and management.

Education

Responsibilities

Ensure enforcement of the AFM agreement with all local and visiting companies, conductors, stage managers and stagehands to ensure smooth operation of all services

Hire and complete HR paperwork for all tenured, extra, and substitute musicians

Create and distribute guest musician packets for each engagement

Manage seating assignments and string rotations in consultation with each section’s principal musician(s)

Create and distribute all engagement documents such as engagement memo, personnel listings/seating, rehearsal break schedules, and stage door lists

Maintain season instrumentation documents

Act as primary administrator of the orchestra online portal

Design pit and stage plots and communicate with stagehands

Accurately prepare weekly payroll, verifying all hours, doubles and move-up pay

Ensure the approval and tracking of all leave for both orchestras, including sick leave, personal leave, leave without pay, and one-year unpaid leaves of absence

Arrange for the rental/purchase/maintenance of instruments as needed

Attend all internal KC meetings regarding Ballet, Opera, and Musical Theater

Shares the responsibility of attending all rehearsals and performances to monitor beginning and ending times, breaks, attendance, musicians’ use of leave, troubleshooting problems, managing disputes, etc

Remain on call from early morning through the conclusion of all rehearsals and/or the top of all performances. Provide service reports to management to keep everyone apprised of events occurring throughout the engagement

Ensure timely and clear communication with the orchestra

Send out updates for both the KCOHO and WNOO calendars as changes arise

Create electronic version of the combined WNO/KCOHO calendar and ensure that a digital version is up to date on the online portal

Serve as the liaison between Human Resources/Payroll Department and the orchestra during the open enrollment period for health insurance and for any issues that arise with payments, benefits, or contributions

Maintain accurate contact information for tenured and substitute musicians

Maintain KCOHO/WNOO seniority documentation

Distribute post-notices

Create and develop plans for improvement projects to boost morale and create efficiencies for management

Fill vacancies for musicians on planned personal or sick leave at the recommendation of the Principal musicians and Music Director

When time is limited, have discretion to find last minute replacements, often requiring quick action with high-pressure deadlines

Work in conjunction with the Director of Orchestra Personnel and Operations to hire musicians for reduced orchestra projects based on alternative service and the opinions of the Music Director of Musical Theater and Television

Work with the orchestra management team to administer all Orchestra auditions as vacancies occur. Assemble candidate packets, communicate with candidates, hire and pay audition committee, staff, and accompanists, coordinate production and instrument logistics, and ensure smooth operations during audition days

Other duties as assigned

Qualification

Orchestra managementCollective bargaining agreementsMusical backgroundSupervisory skillsCommunication skillsInterpersonal skillsOrganizational skillsAttention to detailEmail proficiencyWord proficiencyExcel proficiencyOutlook proficiencyAccess proficiencyTeam collaborationFlexibilitySense of humor

Required

A bachelor's degree in arts management, music, orchestra management, or a related discipline required OR commensurate experience in a similar capacity at a comparable arts organization

At least 2-3 years' in orchestra management or similar experience in artistic production within a performing arts organization

Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and strong supervisory skills

Must exercise good judgment, show initiative, and handle sensitive data in a trustworthy manner; ability to maintain strict confidentiality of personnel records

Must be able to juggle many immediate and long-range tasks and priorities and remain calm under pressure

Must be organized and attentive to detail. Emphasis on record keeping and documentation consistent with overall needs of Orchestra Personnel, the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and Management

Proficient with email and software programs, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Access

Ability to deal effectively with professional musicians and music professionals and to work with a wide range of personalities, especially artistic temperaments

Ability to maintain a flexible, and at times demanding, work schedule

A willingness to work as part of a collaborative team. Interest in positive interpersonal interaction, openness to diverse work situations, and sense of humor strongly encouraged

Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided

Candidate must be willing to work onsite

Preferred

Musical background preferred. Including a knowledge of opera, ballet, musical theater, and symphonic repertoire and an understanding of orchestral instrumentation

Experience working in a union environment and managing a collective bargaining agreement preferred, with the ability to read and interpret labor contracts