2013-2014 Lectures & Community Engagement Fellowship
Metropolitan Opera Guild • Full-Time
http://www.metguild.org
New York, NY

The Metropolitan Opera Guild, founded in 1935, fosters a stimulated and educated opera-loving community through programs for learners of all ages and levels.  To learn more about the Guild and all its programs, visit http://www.metguild.org.

The Lectures and Community Engagement department is pleased to offer one (1) full-time, 10-month Fellowship to an outstanding candidate in performing arts administration for the 2013-14 season.  The Fellow will be responsible for acting as a front line for the Metropolitan Opera Guild in relationship-building with a diverse group of Lectures and Community Engagement constituents.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Providing excellent customer care to lecture, Backstage Tour, and score desk ticket purchasers, rental groups, adult learners, and tourists of all ages via telephone, email, and in-person communication.
• Coordination of all Opera Learning Center set-ups and strikes for Education Department use and running Front of House and/or technical for all Lectures and Community Engagement and rental events.
• Staffing, dispatching, and debriefing Backstage Tours of the Metropolitan Opera House, as well as being trained and prepared to give tours.
• Maintaining regular correspondence with customers through ticket fulfillment mailings, as well as fielding questions from the volunteer hotline and coordinating volunteers at events.
• Directing and supervising adult volunteers; maintaining a sense of leadership and authority among groups of diverse ages.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinating with Met House Management, Box Office, and Security; serving as liaison to the Metropolitan Opera box office and call center.
• Tracking customer information and purchase history through database entry and maintenance; staying current on customer needs, expectations, and feedback.
• Maintaining and updating online availability and reservations for tours, lectures, score desk, and other Community Engagement events; depositing all receipts daily, including cash, checks, and credit card transactions.
• Preparing, drafting, and/or providing editorial support for informative materials such as handouts, newsletter articles, production profiles, the Backstage Tour manual, and more for the 2013-2014 season customers and volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will be a hard-working, high energy team player confident in his/her ability to take initiative when needed.  Clear, effective, and open communication is essential.  1-2 years of full-time experience in the field of arts administration or the equivalent combination of education and experience is strongly preferred.  A classical music background and/or interest in opera and theater is preferred.  

The successful Lectures and Community Engagement Fellow will be expected to cultivate relationships with the public and must be at ease in communicating with audiences diverse in backgrounds, ages, and levels of opera knowledge. Previous experience in customer service, hospitality, retail, stage management, or special events encouraged, as well as the ability to lift approximately 30-40 pounds. Experience and familiarity with Tessitura, Microsoft Office OS, and design software (such as Photoshop, Publisher) preferred.  

Guild Fellowships are full-time, 10-month positions with a total stipend of $10,000 plus up to $1,000 in travel reimbursement for commuting expenses.  Ideal start date is July 15, 2013.

Please note that this stipend package will not enable pursuit of a luxurious New York experience. Additionally, this is a full-time commitment, involving evening and weekend hours, and it will not be possible to seek or hold secondary employment while engaged as a Fellow. However, the Guild is committed to providing a rich and nurturing experience steeped in a variety of arts administrative and educational experiences, suited to address the successful candidate’s needs to obtain future employment in the field of arts administration.

TO APPLY:
Carefully review the Met Opera Guild’s mission and history  (http://www.metguild.org/MOG/About_The_Guild/Guild_History.html?TM=111menuid=112)

as well as the Lectures and Community Engagement department mission  (http://www.metguild.org/MOG/For_The_Community/For_The_Community_Home.html?TM=12)

and its annual brochure of programs (http://www.metguild.org/uploadedFiles/MOG/Home_Page/BROCHURE_12-13.pdf).

The Community Engagement season consists of programs for all ages including lectures, master classes, Backstage Tours, family workshops, and more, and the Fellow will be fully immersed in these specific programs throughout the duration of the season.  Upon review of the above and after careful consideration, please submit a cover letter explaining your relevant experience and your connection to our mission and programs, as well as a résumé of your educational and professional experiences to date.  

Please send application materials to Lacey Upton at lupton@operaed.org; materials will be accepted on a rolling basis through Friday, March 1, 2013 or until the position is filled.

The Metropolitan Opera Guild, an Equal Opportunity Employer, encourages applications from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.