Job Description

The Director of Rockefeller Arts Center oversees the Fredonia State Rockefeller Arts Center.

Rewards & Benefits

• The salary for this position is $94,510, commensurate with experience;
• Competitive compensation plus comprehensive benefits plan including health, dental, and vision insurance and retirement plan options including a fixed pension plan or a 401(A) with generous employer contributions;
• Paid leave provisions including sick and holiday leave; impressive educational benefits including tuition-free study plus supplemental tuition aid;
• A rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of their personal life, including professional development programs and services, employee EAP and wellness programs, discounted membership to the on-campus fitness center, and access to the Campus and Community Child Care Center.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Strategic Planning: Provide overall long-term, short-term and strategic planning and coordination for innovative programs, services and operations of a busy university-based performing arts center.
• Policy and Program Review: Conduct periodic reviews of center's programs, services, operations, staffing and facilities to maintain alignment with overall campus mission and priorities, adjusting internal procedures as needed and making recommendations for major policy changes as warranted.
• Business Operations: Annual review of center's price structure for rentals, user fees, annual fund donor levels, playbill advertising rates, ticket prices, etc., to optimize contributed and earned income potential. 
• Advisory Council: Recruit, engage and oversee an active advisory council to provide feedback/advice regarding both planning and policy.  Guidance should include educational programs and initiatives to engage students, faculty, and the broader community in the arts.

Programming and Artistic Direction

• Curating Performances: Serve as artistic director/curator for all center-sponsored programming, selecting programs that align with the mission of the campus and the center and complimenting programming provided by academic departments. Develop educational programs and initiatives to engage students, faculty, and the broader community in the arts.  Ensure that the programming represents diverse cultures, perspectives, and voices.
• Bookings & Contracts: Negotiate contracts with agents and visiting artists, conforming contracts to industry best practices and campus/state policies.
• Collaborations: Develop and maintain a working relationship with civic organizations and the general public in order to meet the cultural and educational needs of the community.  Work closely with the academic departments to develop programs which enhance and expand instructional activities; coordinate and collaborate with Fredonia College Foundation in developing solicitations.
• Signature Campus Event Programming: Produce the annual campus signature events which include commencement-eve concert including concept development for theme programs, hiring of professional orchestra or back up musicians as needed, recruitment and nurturing of faculty/staff collaborators from other departments, auditioning of student performers and coordination of rehearsal and production process. 

Fundraising

• Donor Relations:  In collaboration with Fredonia College Foundation development staff, serve as the Center's chief fundraiser.  Steward and strengthen current funding relationships and cultivate new relationships with prospective donors.
• Friends Annual Fund: Oversee the arts center's annual fall direct mail membership campaign for "Friends of RAC" in collaboration with Fredonia College Foundation.
• Corporate Sponsorships: Guide, develop and expand RAC's three-tier corporate sponsorship program, in collaboration with Fredonia College Foundation.
• Grants: Work closely with the campus' grants and special projects office to identify and pursue grants.

Staffing Management and Development

• Hiring and Training: Recruit, hire and train staff, including administrative, technical, and front-of-house personnel.
• Performance Programs & Evaluations: Develop annual performance programs and conduct regular performance reviews and ensure clear communication of roles and expectations.
• DEI: Ensure that the Center applies practices to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Marketing and External Relations

• Marketing: Work closely with the Office of Marketing and Communications in the development and implementation of marketing campaigns and materials using both traditional and social media, measuring and optimizing return on investment. Collaborate with academic departments with regard to promoting performances, productions, and gallery exhibits.  
• Community Relations: Serve as the public face of the arts center, fostering relationships with local arts organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders. Hold periodic meetings with the center's advisory committee to seek advice and input on all center activities. Serve as the official center spokesperson via media interviews, podcasts and YouTube videos.

Financial Management

• Budgeting: Oversee the preparation and management of the center's budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility while balancing artistic and operational needs. Administer and utilize the earnings of ten purpose-specific endowments in accordance with the respective endowments' MOAs, in collaboration with Fredonia College Foundation.
• Reporting: Prepare and disseminate annual reports: Statistical Report of Usage and Attendance; narrative departmental report of accomplishments and developments following campus guidelines; Unrelated Business Income Tax diagnostic questionnaire, etc.

Academic Program Support

• Arts Administration Minor: Serve on the campus advisory committee for the arts administration minor. Serve as a mentor/supervisor/sponsor of several arts administration interns or practicum students each year by having students work directly under the Center Executive Director and other staff members.
• Guest Artist Outreach: Seek opportunities to develop and support master classes or other educational outreach activities by visiting artists to enrich the learning of SUNY Fredonia students.

Other

• Other duties as assigned

This is a full-time, 12 month, UUP represented position beginning July 15, 2025.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Fredonia prides itself on an outstanding workforce. To continually support organizational excellence, the university conducts background screens on applicants.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master of Arts Management, Master of Arts Administration, Master of Fine Arts with a focus on management/administration, or a similar degree that prepares the candidate for work in the area of arts management and/or administration. 
• At least three years of experience in the arts administration field. 
• Experience in planning, booking, and promoting events.
• Experience managing multiple, complex budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse members of the public and university.
• Experience with negotiating contracts and other legal agreements. 
• A demonstrated appreciation for the performing arts as a form of public outreach and service.
• Experience with contracts and other legal agreements.
• Broad understanding of arts patron fundraising practices.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• More than three years of management experience in the performing arts.
• Experience in arts management in higher education settings.
• Experience in fundraising and/or grant writing, particularly annual appeals to donors and art patrons (Friends of Rockefeller).
• Demonstrated familiarity with emerging technologies as they relate to arts administration.

About SUNY Fredonia

The State University of New York at Fredonia is one of the crown jewels in the 64-campus State University of New York system. Founded in 1826, Fredonia is a highly ranked comprehensive, selective, public, residential, liberal arts university that enrolls approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 80+ majors and 50+ minors. Fredonia is consistently ranked as a top public university for academics, value, and social mobility. Fredonia is known for its strong academic programs, professional, award-winning faculty, a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, and a strong focus on student success. The 256-acre campus, known for beautiful green spaces and attractive architecture, is located one mile from the shore of Lake Erie in beautiful Western New York with ready access to fishing, swimming, and lakefront attractions. Fredonia is centrally located between several large metropolitan areas. It is one hour south of Buffalo and Niagara Falls, 45 minutes north of Erie, PA, and just 2 ½ hours from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or Toronto. Fredonia is a safe village community with beautiful Victorian homes situated in the heart of Western New York wine country. The location affords res ... idents all four authentic weather seasons; warm and sunshine-filled, yet comfortable spring and summer, vibrant colors across rolling hills with the changing leaves of autumn, and the picturesque landscapes and accompanying outdoor activities of winter. SUNY provides a competitive salary and benefits package. Fredonia's faculty and staff focus on ensuring that all students will achieve the Institutional Learning Goals: -SKILLED Develop Intellectual and Applied Skills, Literacies and Knowledge -CONNECTED Engage Community and Diversity: Local Stewardship, Global Citizenship -CREATIVE Demonstrate Scholarship, Artistry, and Innovation -RESPONSIBLE Activate Sustainability, Ethics, Leadership, and Professionalism.

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