From time to time, The Ark needs to add to its talented, hard-working staff.

ARK PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Dave Siglin, The Ark’s longtime Program Director, has announced that he will retire in 2008. We are currently conducting a search for a Program Director with a targeted start date of late 2007/early 2008. See below for the job description and application instructions:

JOB SUMMARY:
Under the general direction of the Executive Director, responsible for setting The Ark’s artistic direction in accordance with the organization’s defined mission: “… [E]nrichment of the human spirit through the presentation, promotion and encouragement of folk, roots and ethnic music and related arts.”

Assures continued excellence in Ark programming in folk, roots and ethnic genres. Responsible for booking 300 shows per year, including the annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival and occasional outside shows in other local venues. Manages a performance-related budget with gross revenues of approximately $900,000 annually. Works closely with other Ark staff regarding production, technical aspects and marketing strategies for specific shows.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Essential Duties:
- Arranges and books acts for, but not limited to, The Ark, outside venues, annual festivals, special benefit concerts. Negotiates associated contracts.

- Negotiates with outside producers regarding the use of The Ark (e.g., Live Nation, rentals, etc.).

- Identifies and develops new talent.

- Plans and books educational programs, such as: school field trips, school programs, master classes, and workshops.

- Communicates with Marketing Director about acts targeted to specific audiences.

- Coordinates with appropriate staff to plan ethnic programming and outreach.

- Responsible for managing program-related budget, working closely with Accountant and Executive Director.

- Analyzes club data and prepares annual performance-related budget, monthly reports and annual financial statements in coordination with Executive Director, Accountant and Finance Committee.

- May direct the work of professional, technical or office support staff on a project or day-to-day basis.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the employee in this position.


EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Extensive knowledge of and experience working with the musical genres represented at The Ark.
Administrative / project development principles and practices, including goal setting, strategic planning and administration.
Personnel management principles and practices.
General business principles and practices.
Computer applications related to the work.

Required skills and qualifications:
Enthusiasm for and commitment to The Ark’s mission.
Commitment to working within a mission-based, non-profit framework.
Demonstrated organizational and community leadership.
Demonstrated ability to identify and evaluate musical talent within the genres The Ark presents.
Using sound, independent judgment within established policy guidelines.
Setting priorities, coordinating multiple activities and meeting critical deadlines.
Preparing clear, concise and effective written and oral communications.
Public relations skills.
Budget management skills, including budgeting and revenue forecasting.
Planning, assigning, supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of assigned staff.
Training others and providing for their professional development.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
Demonstrated ability to function effectively as part of a team.
Working successfully with employees and colleagues at all levels and with individuals of diverse backgrounds.

Desired skills and qualifications:
Demonstrated ability to book artists and negotiate artist contracts.
Experience working directly with agencies associated with The Ark.
Demonstrated financial success in booking performances.
Demonstrated ability to successfully develop and manage a performance-related budget.
General knowledge of technical requirements pertaining to concert production.


EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
Possession of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education/experience in a field closely related to the work.

This description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to apply specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Send resume, cover letter, salary requirements by August 31st to:

application@theark.org

or by mail to:

The Ark
attn: Program Director
1955 Pauline Blvd
Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48103.

EOE. No calls please.

SEARCH PROCESS
The search process is being conducted by a committee including representatives from The Ark staff, Ark Board and the local community. They have established the following Guiding Principles for the search and selection process:

1) The process will be conducted to identify and retain the best qualified person to serve as Program Director for The Ark without regard to age, religion, color, race, national origin, gender, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation or non-job-related medical condition or disability.
2) The process will be fair and ethical
3) The process will be designed to cast the net as widely as possible in the search for candidates
4) The process will be conducted in a professional and legal manner