Assistant Director, Center for Comedic Arts

Job Number: JR005291

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The Assistant Director of the Center for Comedic Arts provides key planning, programming, budgeting, and academic and administrative oversight of the Center for Comedic Arts and the interdisciplinary BFA in Comedic Arts. The Assistant Director reports to the Director of the Center for Comedic Arts and to the Dean of the School of the Arts.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Collaborate with the Comedic Arts Program Director to provide mentorship and academic oversite to the Comedic Arts students.
• Executive Produce and oversee all creative and logistical aspects of ComeEx!, Emerson’s annual student-run,  3-day comedy festival;  collaborate with student writers, producers, and performers, approve  all content, ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion, manage budget, book venues, organize student showcases and competitions, supervise alumni engagement, book and handle professional comedians and external talent, and lead all all aspects of marketing and sponsorships with an eye toward future growth and funding opportunities.
• Implement and oversee the Budget for the Center for Comedic Arts and advise the Center’s Director on funding requests 
• Assist in development, implementation and ongoing evolution of strategic plan for the Center for Comedic Arts
• Fundraise through grant writing 
• Oversee the Comedic Arts internship class.
• Design and produce events, including organizing panels, Q&As, workshops, and performances.
• Recruit, train, advise and mentor the Comedic Arts Graduate Assistant and other staff as required.
• Conduct outreach, marketing, and community relations with strategic partners, industry professionals, college alumni, and current and prospective students.
• Collaborate with Director on the development of curriculum, co-curricular activities, events, and internship opportunities, and alumni engagement in both Boston and Los Angeles
• Produce the annual Ready Wit in Comedy Award ceremony, including securing the recipient, marketing, research, script writing, video editing, and coordinating award program from start to finish
• Assist with the development and growth of the American Comedy Archives-writing grants, identifying potential donors, supporting ongoing oral history projects, and designing programs that encourage student and public access via exhibits and digital humanities projects
• Manage the Comedic Arts administrative assistant
• Recruit, train, and supervise the Comedic Arts Graduate Assistant
• Support curriculum efforts with a commitment to globalization, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Create and distribute publicity materials, including posters, programs, and brochures, for the Program and Center
• Oversee content on both the Program and Center websites, including editing video
• Manage Comedic Arts social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram with an eye toward growth
• Foster and maintain global opportunities and relationships within the field of Comedic Arts
• Foster and maintain relationships with Comedic Arts alumni
• Participate in undergraduate admissions by reviewing applicants’ creative samples
• Meet with and recruit prospective students
• Design and implement recruitment strategies and programming for new students 
• Advance scholarship/field building through outreach to faculty, schools, theatres, companies, and organizations with similar interests
• Coordinate cross-departmental collaboration on marquee events

QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to effectively perform job.

• Terminal degree in a field related to Comedic Arts (PHD preferred)
• 3-5 Years of related experience
• Background in producing events: planning, promoting, budgeting, and managing
• Curricular planning experience preferred
• Experience with foundation grant research and writing
• Experience with fundraising and donor cultivation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; including public presentation skills 
• Ability to prioritize and advance multiple projects and tasks, and complete work by set deadlines
• Ability to work with faculty from multiple disciplines related to comedic artsAbility to plan and promote events
• Proficiency in using a variety of computer software, and the ability to learn new software easily
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills
• Confident public speaking skills and the ability to advocate for the program
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to follow through on tasks and requests
• Ability to maintain multiple projects simultaneously and to prioritize tasks

PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Requires ability to lift and move objects that are light
• Requires ability to move materials occasionally

WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• General office conditions.

COMPENSATION

Starting salary for this position will be between $54,274 – $66,486 annually, commensurate with experience.

Grade of Position: S-23-07E Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25 This position will be exclusively represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 888 for purposes of wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week. 

Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.