Manager, Communications and Administration
Department: Administrative
Classification: Exempt, full-time
Reports to: Board Chair
Salary: $65,000 annually
Location: Flexible; Must be willing to travel to Washington, D.C. (or other PAA meeting locations) every 2-3 months
Date Posted: August 10, 2022
Summary
The Performing Arts Alliance (PAA) envisions a United States (including its territories and sovereign nations) in which the diverse ecology of the performing arts is deeply valued and supported, adequately and equitably resourced, and where participation is accessible to all. A 501c4 organization, PAA advances movement building for systemic change in our field, including creative workforce development, increased public investment in the arts, and centering racial and cultural justice in public policy. The Manager is an effective communicator and strong administrator with an interest in government advocacy/public policy. They will work closely with Government Affairs staff at member organizations, PAA’s Executive Committee, and consultants to ensure timely communication to member constituents; clear calls for advocacy action; and capturing of impact stories to motivate political movement.
The PAA Board has recently undergone a year-long equity training with Team Dynamics and is committed to centering inclusion, equity, diversity, and access in all of PAA’s practices and programs. This position will play a critical role in moving this transformational work forward by coordinating meetings, materials, and minutes as well as engaging in the conversations themselves. Ongoing work includes managing and organizing PAA’s internal workflow and operations; creating effective communications; and supporting board activities.
Candidate Profile
We seek a candidate who is enthusiastic about PAA’s mission and advocating for the creative sector. They must be skilled at managing both strategic and tactical activities related to creating, disseminating, collaborating on, and delivering effective communications. This is an ideal position for someone excited to learn more about the creative sector and to develop their advocacy skills. The successful candidate is committed to advancing policies that most impact the country’s independent culture workforce.
The successful candidate is dedicated to centering racial equity and approaches their work with curiosity, courage, and empathy. This includes seeking innovative ways to improve the organization’s operations, communications, and advocacy efforts. The Manager of Administration and Advocacy is PAA’s only paid staff member and must be highly organized and self-motivated, proactive, and able to reprioritize when needed.
They have experience engaging diverse constituents in collective action; experience with fundraising and working with boards are a plus. Past work with Microsoft Office Suite, Customer Management Systems (e.g. MailChimp or VoterVoice), social media, and digital platforms like Google docs is required.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Write, coordinate, and/or disseminate PAA communications including Action Alerts, Advocacy Updates, announcements, and information to PAA members
- Collaborate with, and invite guidance from, Government Affairs (GA) staff at member organizations to create compelling, timely communications to inform and motivate advocacy action for PAA
- Manage related PAA communication platforms to ensure current and timely content (website, social media, internal platforms)
- Track key policy issues impacting independent cultural artists and participate in the Cultural Advocacy Group and other advocacy group meetings.
- Maintain direct communication with PAA organization members without GA staff to understand advocacy priorities for their constituents; manage PAA advocacy priority agenda with GA staff
- Support PAA Board activities (support Chair in meeting planning and materials; schedule meetings and tech/catering needs; take minutes)
- Attend / participate in key advocacy meetings and convenings
- Oversee, develop, and monitor PAA’s annual operating budget with external bookkeeper and Board Treasurer; manage incoming and outgoing revenue, e.g. membership dues and contributions
- Support and engage in PAA’s ongoing equity training and strategic work
- Maintain PAA files and records
- Serve as PAA representative with consultants and vendors
Salary and Benefits
The salary for this full-time, exempt position is $65,000/year plus health insurance reimbursement. We value the artistic and other life activities of our staff and acknowledge the unpredictable nature of advocacy requires timely response and activity.
Location and Travel
With a focus on federal government advocacy, we represent a broad spectrum of performance-based culture bearers across the country. This position will be expected to attend key in-person meetings in Washington, D.C. every 2-3 months, as well as maintain PAA files and accounts based in D.C. They will plan and attend PAA board meetings, which take place three times a year in NYC or DC, and occasionally in other locations. PAA will cover direct costs related to these travels. Office space is available with PAA members in NYC and DC; remote work is expected. (The current PAA Board Chair resides in Minneapolis, MN.)
To Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter sharing why you are interested in this position to info@thepaalliance.org. Job is open until filled.
About Performing Arts Alliance
The Performing Arts Alliance (PAA) is the national policy advocate, leadership forum, and learning network for America’s nonprofit performing arts organizations, artists, and allies. The Board of Directors, a collective of national service and advocacy organizational leaders, are uniquely positioned to advocate for the country’s performance-based culture bearers. Over the past year, PAA’s advocacy helped to move forward important programs such as the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program (SVOG), the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), increased support from various federal arts and cultural-related agencies, and increased arts education support.
A coalition of diverse artistic and cultural communities, PAA engages a cross-section of non-profit and for-profit entities in building the case for the impact of the arts in communities and to further timely issues like racial justice and climate change. We cultivate collective advocacy for federal and regional policy that enables artists and arts organizations to receive equitable funding and access. Committed to ensuring decisions that affect our communities include representatives that truly reflect the country’s demographics, especially those who have been historically excluded, PAA is invested in developing its own greater representation, learning, and action. Learn more at https://www.theperformingartsalliance.org/.
PAA Member Organizations are currently:
Alternate ROOTS
American Composers Forum
Artist Communities Alliance
Association of Performing Arts Professionals
Chamber Music America
Chorus America
Dance/USA
Early Music America
Folk Alliance International
League of American Orchestras
National Alliance for Musical Theatre
National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures
National Performance Network
Network of Ensemble Theaters
New Music USA
OPERA America
Theatre Communications Group
The International Association of Blacks in Dance
