Montana State University

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 25380

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Kevin Asselin at kevin.asselin@montana.edu 406-994-3903

Classification Title Managing Director

Working Title Director of Community Access and Engagement

Brief Position Overview

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP) seeks a passionate, self-driven, detail orientated professional with a strong belief in the power of community engagement and an affection for the way in which cultural outreach aims to enrich lives. The Director of Community Access and Engagement (DCAE) takes the lead in maintaining and developing community partnerships in Montana and beyond. A key ambassador for MSIP, she/he/they will be sensitive to the needs of underserved rural communities, have a passion for education and will play a critical role in the execution of MSIP’s strategic plan, in addition to day-to-day administrative duties related to development, outreach and communications. She/he/they is a creative thinker with excellent written and verbal communication skills, values organic relationship-building, has a facility with online, digital and social media communications and will be able to envision how the position and department might grow within the organization. The ideal candidate will have a polished, outgoing personality, is at ease networking, attending events, and being involved in a thriving cultural community.

Position Number 4C9045

Department Shakespeare in the Parks

Division College of Arts & Architecture

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary $60,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

The mission of Shakespeare in the Parks is to engage and enrich both rural and underserved communities with professional productions of Shakespeare and other classics and, through educational outreach, to inspire creative expression and appreciation of the arts in young audiences. Each summer MSIP produces a ten-and-a-half-week tour of 77 performances to approximately 30,000 people from across five states and two 10-week tours of 120 performances to both high schools and elementary schools every fall and spring. MSIP is the only professional theatre program in the state currently touring Shakespeare’s plays, the only company in America that tours as extensively into rural areas, the only company in the region that offers its performances free to the public ensuring that all are able to attend, and the only theatre company offering these types of programs to Montana and Wyoming area schools. For the majority of the communities who participate, especially those in under-served & rural areas, MSIP is their only form of live, professional theatre. Over the past 49 years, this remarkable touring company has presented over 2,500 performances to over three quarters of a million people.

Duties and Responsibilities

In conjunction with the Executive Artistic Director (EAD) & Managing Director (MD) will contribute to and implement portions of MSIP strategic and operational plan as directly related community access, outreach and engagement. She/he/they will assist with additional fundraising efforts, event planning and educational outreach, as needed.

Community Access and Engagement:

• In collaboration with the MISP team, act as an ambassador and spokesperson for all related programs.
• Identify and work with season-long community partners, coordinators and educators to deepen MSIP’s relationship within communities from across a five- state region.
• In collaboration with the Managing Director (MD) develop an annual communications plan designed to engage the public with all performances, educational outreach and fundraising events. · Act as liaison between MSIP’s regional communities and its marketing partners to ensure adequate print and media presence with a goal of broadening our reach through audience development.
• Design production-specific community activities including post-show discussions, community conversations, lectures and other activities, and broaden partnerships around this form of access and engagement.
• In collaboration with MD and Director of Community Partnerships (DCP) organize and manage gala/fundraising events.
• Develop an annual communications plan designed to engage the public with all performances, educational programming and fundraising events.
• Contribute to and implement portions of MSIP strategic and operational plan as directly related community access and outreach.
• Other special projects as identified or assigned.

Development and Grant Management:

• In collaboration with MD and DCP seek, prepare and secure foundation and government grants.
• In collaboration with Production Manager (PM) and DCP prepare and submit final reports as projects are completed.
• Assist in the implementation of MSIP’s fundraising plan as needed.
• In collaboration with the MD and DCP researches new grant and funding opportunities. · In collaboration with the DCP organizes and manages gala/fundraising events.
• Other special projects as identified or assigned.

General office duties

• In collaboration with Executive Artistic Director (EAD) and MD, coordinate with all tour coordinators and educators to secure booking for all MSIP touring programs.
• Secure local and regional housing for all MSIP touring and local programs.
• In collaboration with the Executive Associate (EA) and PM set up and close up local housing for all tours.
• Assist in proofreading all programmatic material that leaves the office for public consumption.
• Recruit, identify, manage and schedule necessary volunteer support for all programs, as necessary.
• Other special projects as identified or assigned.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

2. Demonstrated experience and/or collaborative work with an organization(s) where primary focus was to strengthen & build the organizations’ relations with community individuals, groups, ambassadors and/or target populations.

3. Experience using computer skills and applications such as Excel, Microsoft Office and Database software.

4. Experience in creative problem solving and innovating responses and solutions

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Bachelor’s Degree or professional equivalent in educational, cultural, or art related non-profit.

2. Experience in managing a budget and people.

3. Experience identifying, writing, and managing grants.

3. Experience developing and implementing communication or public relations plans.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Be detail-orientated, assertive, self-driven, and able to maintain a flexible schedule that may include early morning, evening and/or weekend hours.
• Demonstrate strong verbal communication, and diplomatic leadership skills.
• Be comfortable managing multiple assignments and have the ability to exercise good judgment and discretion while maintaining a positive attitude in stressful situations.
• Be a crucial ambassador for MSIP and work to promote its mission with passion and commitment.
• Be a team player who shares the overall vision and mission of MSIP passionately.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize activities and create and track organizational and/or position work plans.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin June 20, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

To apply:

Upload your resume and a cover letter outlining how you meet each individual required and preferred qualification.

Please note, this posting requires contact information for three professional references within your app profile.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Read Full Description