The Grant Park Music Festival (the Festival) in Chicago, Illinois seeks a full-time Associate Director of Operations and Education. The Associate Director of Operations and Education assists with the management of operational and artistic planning logistics for the Festival and administers Festival education programs, including pre-concert activities, a daily summer music immersion program for students, a master class series, artist residencies, and more. The Associate Director of Operations and Education interacts with musicians of the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus, guest artists, Festival volunteer groups, Festival patrons, and Education program participants.

The Associate Director of Operations and Education will join our hard-working, collaborative team of 15 year-round staff who are dedicated to bringing Chicagoans together to experience symphonic music outdoors in one of the world’s most magnificent urban settings, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The Festival team is deeply committed to serving the people of Chicago through our mission of enriching lives through the power of music.

SELECT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operations
  • Manage the logistics for orchestra and chorus offsite concerts.
  • Work with the General Manager and Festival venues to develop annual concert season calendar.
  • Create and oversee execution of guest artist and conductor contracts.
  • Arrange for rental of instruments as required by concert repertoire.
  • Work with the General Manager to develop electronic media strategy and maximize utilization of orchestra electronic media guarantee payments.
• Education and Community Engagement
  • In collaboration with General Manager and Artistic Director, develop and implement Festival’s Education and Community Engagement strategy.
  • Create and supervise mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating effectiveness of all programs.
  • Oversee Festival’s Classical Campers program and manage Teaching Artists, Visiting Masters master class program, and Pre-Concert Talks program and manage Hosts
  • Serve as staff liaison on Festival board’s Education and Community Engagement Committee.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, preferably in the performing arts or arts administration. Significant relevant work experience may be substituted for degree.
• Three years of experience in a performing arts organization required. Experience as a professional musician a plus.
• Deep understanding of orchestral music and passion for music education.
• The ability to balance multiple, complex, overlapping priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Meticulous attention to detail and highly organized.
• Experience supervising staff and managing a team.
• Outstanding and highly-developed interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Aptitude for developing relationships and networks with individuals and organizational partners from all backgrounds.
• Ability to use various computer applications including proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office. Significant experience with OPAS and Microsoft Excel preferred.
• Don’t fit all of the qualifications listed above, but feel passionate about the position? Please apply anyway! We are eager to work with enthusiastic and ambitious people. You may be just the right fit for this role.  

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $58,500 - $62,000, commensurate with experience. This position is full-time and exempt.
• Competitive annual benefits package includes ten days paid vacation, ten paid holidays, four paid personal days, and 12 paid sick days; employee and dependent health insurance (Six BCBS plan options; 75% employer paid); dental and vision insurance (25% employer paid); life insurance (100% employer paid); 403(b) retirement plan with 3.75% employer matching contribution after one year of employment.
• Complimentary premier seating at Festival performances, steeply discounted staff parking at the Millennium Park Garage, opportunities for free/discounted tickets to partner performances/shows at venues across Chicago.

SCHEDULE & WORK LOCATION

• Most work is performed in-office at 205 E Randolph St in Chicago.
• Full-time exempt staff members currently have the option to work from home on Fridays; note this option is not available during the ten-week Festival season.
• Start Date: January 2025

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

For more than 90 years, the Grant Park Music Festival has been Chicago's summer musical sensation, demonstrating that classical music performed by a world-class orchestra and chorus can have a transformative impact on the city. Showcased in the city's most spectacular setting, the Festival continues to be the summer gathering place for all of Chicago. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is the official home of the Grant Park Music Festival, with free seats available for every concert.

The Festival strives to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our city and the audiences we serve. People of all backgrounds and experiences, and especially those that have been historically underrepresented in the field, are encouraged to apply for open positions at the Festival. Read more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging HERE.

The Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race (including traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, pregnancy (including childbirth, or medical or common conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), genetic information, marital status, familial/parental status, disability (physical and mental), military status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, citizenship or immigration status, unfavorable discharge from military service, order of protection status, credit history, arrest record, conviction record, and any other classification/characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

The Festival is led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero, Chorus Director Christopher Bell, Grant Park Orchestral Association President and CEO Paul Winberg, and Board Chair Adam Grais.

For more information on the Grant Park Music Festival, please visit our website: gpmf.org.