GENERAL INFORMATION 

WPA Payroll Title: Manager (Part-Time) 

Department: Special Productions & Initiatives

Title of Immediate Supervisor: Supervising Producer

Hours: Part-time, 20 hrs. per week, Non-Exempt

Pay: $25 per hour

Best Consideration Date: June 27, 2025

Instructions for Applying: Please remember to upload your cover letter and resume by clicking the provided link. Applications received without a cover letter and resume will not be considered. 

About Washington Performing Arts:

One of the most established and honored performing arts institutions in America, Washington Performing Arts has engaged for more than half a century with artists, audiences, students, and civic life. The city is truly our stage: for decades, in venues ranging from concert halls and clubs to public parks, we have presented a tremendous range of artists and art forms, from the most distinguished symphony orchestras to both renowned and emerging artists in classical music, gospel music, jazz, culturally specific genres, dance, and more. We also have an ever-expanding artistic and educational presence on the internet, envisioning ongoing opportunities for online connection and community. 

Washington Performing Arts deeply values its partnerships with local organizations and other arts institutions. Through events online and in myriad performance venues and neighborhoods, we engage international visiting artists in community programs and introduce local artists to wider audiences. We place a premium on establishing artists as a continuing presence in the lives of both young people and adults through residencies and education programs. Our achievements have been recognized with a National Medal of Arts and with three Mayor’s Arts Awards from the DC Government. We have now embarked upon our second half-century, ever inspired by the motto of our founder, Patrick Hayes: “Everybody in, nobody out.”

Minimum Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma 
• 1-3 years of Event Production Experience 
• 1-3 years of Marketing/Communications experience 
• Proven track record of clear communications and multi-pronged logistical administration 

Essential Capabilities & Preferences

• Knowledge of diverse art forms
• Strong collaborative, relationship/consensus-building experience
• Persuasive written and oral communication and presentation skills

Specific Conditions of Work 

• Office work conducted remotely during COVID-19 
• In-person attendance to various Mars Arts D.C. events and recordings 
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds 
• Long hours of standing during productions 
• Adherence to all local and venue-specific COVID-19 measures when in person

Organizational Diversity and Inclusion 

Washington Performing Arts is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in all aspects of our work. In keeping with our mission and guiding principles, we seek, represent, and welcome a multiplicity of voices in everything we do from programmatic content to the composition of our board and staff. Accordingly, we seek to build a team that reflects and meets the needs of the community we are part of and serve. While we have made important progress, we continue to pursue that goal through intentional, focused learning and action. 

Hiring a diverse workforce is but one component—we strive to make Washington Performing Arts ever more inclusive, and true to our founder’s guiding ethos of “everybody in, nobody out.” To gain the maximum benefit from our increasingly diverse team, we wish to make every employee feel welcome and motivated to do their best work. We know that we work better together in service of Washington Performing Arts’ mission, because of our differences, not despite them. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 

Washington Performing Arts subscribes to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression. In addition, the District of Columbia adds protection for marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, or political affiliation. Washington Performing Arts’ employment decisions are made based on the needs of the organization and qualifications of the applicants and employees. 

POSITION INFORMATION

Position Summary/Purpose:

The Mars Arts D.C. Manager (Part-Time) role manages the day-to-day planning, marketing/communications, and coordination of Washington Performing Arts’ signature community engagement program Mars Arts D.C. With funding from Mars Incorporated and Jacqueline Badger Mars, the Mars Arts D.C. program focuses on the engagement of the local community with local artists through unique partnerships, events, and presentations. The Mars Arts D.C. Manager (Part-Time) partners with all departments of Washington Performing Arts to plan and co-curate events, coordinate residences, and promote Mars Arts D.C. performances through the organization’s channels. The Mars Arts D.C. Manager (Part-Time) reports to the Supervising Producer.  

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Number of Direct Reports: N/A

Names and Functional Titles of Direct Reports: N/A 

Essential Duty #1: PROGRAMMING & PRODUCTION

Percentage: 50%

• Partner with Supervising Producer on the development and implementation of Mars Arts D.C. events and other organizational digital and in-person initiatives.
• Planning, Artist and Consultant Contracting/Negotiations, and Event Administration of the following programs/projects:
• Mars Arts D.C. Concert Series at Songbryd
• Petalpalooza
• Tregaron Unplugged
• Tregaron Meadow Concert
• Digital Programming 
• Other Mars Arts D.C. events and engagements as assigned
• Serve as curatorial partner together with Supervising Producer, CEO, Director of Programming, and Advancement team in the development of innovative programming and partnerships in support of the mission and objectives of Mars Arts D.C. 
• Lead the administrative and logistical planning of all in-person events/recordings, providing all involved parties with advance production schedules, parking instructions, and directional information 
• Provide onside administration and direction for in-person recordings and events coordinating production logistics and day-of administration 

Essential Duty #2: MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND CREATIVE MEDIA

Percentage: 40%

• Partner with Supervising Producer and Communications and Creative Media team to draft marketing plans, one-sheet overviews, and prospecting materials for the aforementioned programs - and others as assigned
• Brainstorm and draft content to advertise and post on Washington Performing Arts’ social media platforms as needed
• Manage artist communications for the aforementioned events alongside serving as WPA liaison in the active management and communication of cancelled/postponed events
•  Keep WPA staff apprised of developing details of all Mars Arts D.C. and other assigned events, seeking guidance and support where necessary

Essential Duty #3: FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION 

Percentage: 10%

• Partner with Supervising Producer to ensure proper budget allocation for all Mars Arts D.C. and other special productions projects
• Ensure timely processing of vendor, contractor, and artist payments in Intacct
• Partner with Supervising Producer and Advancement team on program-specific reporting and ensuring that grant/funder goals are achieved as specified
• Partner with Supervising Producer to develop and implement all contracts for consultants, contractors, and artists ensuring the proper documentation of all negotiated terms along with the collection of necessary tax and insurance information if applicable