Theater Department Chair

Theater Department Chair

Be a Star at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts!

The Theater Department Chair is a practicing artist and educator who possesses a strong commitment to working with children, teens, adults, and educators. This position is responsible for managing, developing, promoting, and expanding the Patel Conservatory's theater program. This position manages and motivates artistic and administrative staff, as well as volunteers and parents, toward achieving program objectives artistically, qualitatively, and fiscally.

Located in downtown Tampa, the Straz offers a team-based work environment and a full package of benefits for full-time staff including options for health/dental, vision, etc., plus a generous 403(b) plan.

Administration

• Provides visionary leadership necessary for development and sustainability of Theater programs within Straz Education and Patel Conservatory.
• Partners to develop long range and strategic plans for the Theater Program within the overall programmatic direction of the Patel Conservatory and the Straz Center.
• Leads Theater departmental meetings and updates staff on pertinent Conservatory and Straz Center information.
• Oversees Theater program development, reviews, accreditation tasks and student recruitment.
• Partners to oversee scheduling and departmental daily operations.
• Recruits, mentors, supervises and evaluates all program staff.
• Maintains consistency in theater policies as they relate to overall Conservatory policies and procedures.
• Responds to staff, student and parent appeals, complaints, and issues according to policy and standard operating procedures.
• Makes recommendations for partnerships with other organizations in the community.
• Promotes the Patel Conservatory through the platform of performances, classes, workshops and arts education.
• Co-leads Theater department meetings in tandem with the Theater Department Manager
• Represents the Theater department at Straz Education Committee meeting and serves on other committees as assigned.
• Attends EDU Management meetings, monthly staff meetings, quarterly all- staff meetings, required professional development, production meetings and other meetings as assigned.

Curriculum and Instruction

• Oversees and develops Theater Department curriculum, classroom instructional methods and student assessments.
• Teaches Theater classes and outreaches and serves as Patel Conservatory Theater Director as needed and determined jointly by the Chief Arts Education Officer.
• Visions and refines the Theater Certification Program and advises Certification students.
• Collaborates with the Theater Department Manager and Conservatory Technical Director on Patel Conservatory Theater productions and assembling artistic teams for productions, recitals, and events.
• Assists with training and mentorship for non-performance students in the Conservatory.

Budget

• Creates and manages the theater budget and completes budget-related tasks as directed.
• Tracks the theater program budget to ensure that income goals are met and expense line items are managed with assistance and guidance of the Director of Finance.

Marketing

• Prepares program brochure and website content. Updates as needed or requested.
• Gathers data and prepares detailed documents and reports as needed.
• Represents the Conservatory and Center for press purposes, as requested.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position supervises Theater Department Manager, Full Time and Part Time Theater Faculty, interns, and volunteers.

Education and

Work Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in theater or related field. Master's degree preferred;
  Equivalent related work experience as a theater educator, director, and/or performer may be substituted for college some college requirements.
• 3-5 years of experience as a theater educator, director, and/or performer required.
• Prior experience managing artistic and administrative staff.
• Prior experience managing and developing a comprehensive theater curriculum preferred.
• Fiscal management experience including budget development and management.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

):

• In-depth knowledge and expertise in theater and performance.
• Professional artist working within field of expertise within the last five years
• Knowledge and demonstrated practice of effective classroom management strategies to maintain a safe and effective learning environment.
• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Demonstrated leadership ability.
• Effective prioritization and multitasking skills.
• Collaborative decision-making skills in a team environment.
• Basic budgeting skills.
• Detail oriented with ability to effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to facilitate group decision making
• Availability to work a flexible schedule which may include nights and weekends.
• Must be able to pass a level 2 fingerprinting screening.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions…