Artistic Director & General Manager, Performing Arts Center

Position Overview:
Starting Salary Range is $85,841.60 - $90,220. The initial salary offer is commensurate with education and related work experience.

Lee College’s Performing Arts Center is poised to be the cultural heart of Southeast Texas where artistry and community converge, where students discover confidence through creative expression, and where the region gathers for unforgettable cultural experiences. The ADGM will be a steward of both artistic possibility and institutional excellence, positioned to leave a lasting legacy that enriches the College, the community, and the broader arts landscape.

Lee College seeks a dynamic and visionary Artistic Director & General Manager (ADGM) to lead the Performing Arts Center (PAC) into its next era of art excellence. This dual‑role executive will serve as both the chief creative voice and administrative leader for the PAC, developing bold artistic programming, managing operational and financial functions, and activating community partnerships that position the PAC as a cultural magnet for Southeast Texas. The successful candidate will embody artistic passion, strategic leadership, equitable community engagement, and business acumen to strengthen the PAC’s reputation locally and regionally while advancing the College’s mission of access, education, and impact.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Artistic Vision & Leadership

Chart the creative course of the PAC with strategic artistic planning

Define and implement a compelling multi‑year artistic vision that reflects Lee College’s mission and regional aspirations

Curate seasonal programming that spans disciplines (theater, music, dance, lectures, film, and interdisciplinary arts) and appeals to diverse audiences.

Champion inclusive, innovative, and community‑reflective artistic voices, welcoming both established artists and emerging talent.

Establish the PAC as a destination for signature events, festivals, and competitions

Serve as the public artistic spokesperson for the PAC, embodying its mission through public engagement, media presence, and community representation

Operational & Administrative Strategy

Lead the administrative engine of the PAC with excellence and efficiency

Oversee day‑to‑day operations including front‑of‑house, ticketing systems, production planning, box office, facilities scheduling, and safety compliance

Manage and optimize PAC budgets, financial planning, reporting, and resource allocation

Promote sound financial practices, including revenue diversification through ticket sales, rentals, sponsorships, and partnerships

Collaborate with Lee College leadership on strategic planning, policy development, and institutional alignment

Ensure quality systems for patron services, performance support, staffing, and vendor relations

Community & Educational Partnerships

Activate the PAC as a community staple and educational engine

Forge and grow partnerships with K‑12 schools, regional arts organizations, nonprofit allies, UIL districts, and higher education institutions

Lead outreach programs bridging performing arts with community learning such as workshops, masterclasses, student showcases, and youth engagement initiatives

Advance opportunities for underserved populations to access arts experiences, reinforcing cultural participation

Serve as an ambassador for Lee College and the PAC in civic, cultural, and economic development contexts

Fundraising & Resource Development

Sustain and expand financial support for artistic excellence

In collaboration with development staff, co‑lead fundraising strategy including cultivation of PAC donors, sponsorships, grants, and major gifts

Collaborate with advancement staff, foundations, and community investors to secure mission‑critical resources

Prepare compelling proposals, reports, and presentations for funding partners

Team Leadership & Organizational Culture

Cultivate a high‑performing, team culture

Recruit, hire, supervise, and mentor PAC staff, including technical, administrative, marketing, and production teams

Champion professional development within the PAC staff

Support cross‑departmental collaboration across Lee College

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Master’s (or higher) degree in Arts Administration, Performing Arts Leadership, Arts Management, or related field OR equivalent professional experience

Minimum seven to ten (7‑10) years of progressive leadership experience in performing arts programming, arts administration, or cultural institution managementwith a track record of strategic artistic visioning and operational success

Demonstrated success in community engagement, partnership cultivation, and audience development

Proven financial literacy including budgeting, revenue generation, fundraising, and fiscal oversight

Excellent communicator with strong presentation, public speaking, and stakeholder relationship skills

Commitment to broad access, usability, and arts education for people of all ages and backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in a higher education performing arts environment, or arts leadership within a cultural institution of comparable size and scope

Strong network within the regional and national arts community, with experience negotiating artistic collaborations, touring agreements, and resident artist partnerships

Demonstrated capacity to innovate in digital engagement, audience growth strategies, and hybrid arts programming

Teaching or mentoring experience in arts education appreciated

Lee College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law.

#J-18808-Ljbffr