Employment Opportunities
The Music Academy of the West offers an exceptional work environment and attractive compensation packages.
An equal opportunity employer, the Music Academy is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, sex, race, color, ancestry, marital, parental or veteran status, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability, consistent with applicable federal and state laws.
Special Events Manager
The Music Academy seeks a dynamic professional
with significant experience in event planning and volunteer management to serve
as Special Events Manager. This is a full-time position.
As an integral member of the Music Academy's fundraising team, the Special Events Manager will partner with active volunteer committees and a professional staff to plan and implement all donor-related events. Primary responsibilities include conceptualizing, planning, and implementing all Academy fundraising, donor recognition, and donor cultivation events throughout the year. The Special Events Manager is responsible for managing all event-related budgets and event fundraising goals to meet the Academy's institutional needs. This position manages all required personnel, including internal staff and contract employees, for the successful execution of all special events.
Direct responsibilities:
- Plan and implement two annual fundraising benefit events that gross $630,000 to support the Academy's annual fundraising goal.
- Conceptualize, plan, and implement a year-round calendar of 20-plus donor recognition and cultivation events.
- Develop and manage all event budgets and operate within the overall fundraising department budget.
- Oversee all event timelines and deliverables associated with Academy fundraising, donor recognition, donor cultivation, and summer events to achieve departmental objectives.
- Cultivate and solicit monetary and in-kind event sponsorships from individuals and corporations in collaboration with fundraising colleagues.
- Manage various volunteer committees for specific fundraising and donor recognition events.
- Manage production timelines for all event-related print materials, such as invitations, event programs, and patron letters.
- Manage strategic alliances and cultivate new relationships with key vendors and corporate partners, such as hotels, rental companies, graphic designers, and caterers.
- Manage all logistics associated with patron event attendance, such as invitation list management, RSVP tracking, and guest seating.
Qualifications include:
- A minimum of three to five years' experience in event planning and volunteer management
- Demonstrated success managing special events and budgets
- Proven success in achieving revenue goals
- Strong organizational and planning skills
- Superior written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively and creatively as part of a team
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Knowledge of and passion for music preferred
Competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience.
Please send current resume, letter of interest, and references to:
Music Academy of the West, Attn: Sheri Broedlow, 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108; Fax: 805.565.9316; . No phone calls please.
Volunteers
Each season the Music Academy of the West has many exciting opportunities for volunteers—onstage, backstage, and in the front of the house.
Supernumeraries
Supernumeraries, or "Supers," are actors who volunteer to fill non-speaking roles in an opera. Supers are chosen on the basis of availability (you must be able to attend all rehearsals and performances) and costume measurements. There are generally 8-10 three-hour rehearsals that take place (in the evenings and weekends) prior to each production's opening night.
Light Walkers, Wig and Makeup, Props, and Stage Management
In addition to supers, the Music Academy often needs individuals who enjoy helping out backstage and in the lobby. People who are interested in the lighting design process can help by standing in for singers on the stage while we create lighting "looks." These folks are called light walkers. We are also constantly seeking people for costumes, wig/make-up crew, props, and stage management. Backstage volunteers are trained in the basic skills necessary for their department.
Light walkers and wig/makeup crew are chosen on the basis of availability. Light walkers typically need to be available in the daytime. Wig/makeup crew members need to be available in the early evening through the end of a performance.
Sound Interesting?
If you are interested in being a super, a light walker, and/or being backstage, please download and complete the Super and Backstage Information Form. Supers please include a current full-length photograph of yourself. Please email the completed form to , or, if more convenient, simply email the information contained in the form along with your photo if applicable.
In addition to the excitement of being a part of a professional opera production, and as a thank you for all of your hard work and time, all supers, light walkers, and backstage volunteers will receive complimentary tickets to the opera open dress rehearsal. (Full complimentary ticket policies will be distributed during production.)
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Music Academy of the West's production manager, Melissa Somrack, 949.697.8176.
We look forward to working with you!
Front of House – Ushers and Lobby Volunteers
Ushers, ticket takers, and general volunteers are always needed for the eight-week Summer Festival! Please call 805.695.7934 for more information.
