Posted: Jan 2, 2025
Director of Blume Studios Events
Company: Blumenthal Arts
Salary Range: Grade 17
Position Summary
The Director of Blume Studios Events oversees the curation of a highly diverse variety of immersive experiences and special events managed by Blumenthal Arts. Events include touring productions, co-productions, and locally created events. The position supervises and works collaboratively with the Immersive Venue Operations Manager who oversees venue operations and manages related staff.
This role balances creative vision and high artistic standards with operational execution and strong fiscal management. The Director searches for, selects and develops high quality programming that captures the imagination of ticket buyers, the public and funders.
Annual presentations include events expected to make a net profit to support overhead expenses, as well as artistic and community focused events not expected to make a net profit - carefully balancing both to meet annual budget goals is critical.
The position has an eye for talent and creativity that aligns with current trends and local community interest, particularly ticket buyers. The Director is a creative problem solver who enthusiastically embraces the core operating strategy of Blume Studios of nimble, scrappy, highly creative. The Director works effectively with other Blumenthal staff, including the Production, Marketing, Programming, Ticketing, Front of House and Community Impact and Partnership teams.
The Director is integral to the goal of Blumenthal Arts to be a global thought leader and practitioner in immersive experiences and events. The position reports to the President of Blumenthal Arts.
Duties & Responsibilities
Producing and Managing Events
- Searches for and evaluates potential touring events.
- Negotiates contractual terms and is the ongoing lead liaison with touring event producers, agents, and managers.
- Develops locally produced events, frequently in partnership with local organizations and artists.
- Works closely with other Blumenthal staff to develop production plans, schedules, budgets, and fiscal reporting.
- Cultivates strong co-production relationships with peer venues and entities to develop, host and manage shared productions.
- Networks with peers globally to identify potential projects including some travel.
Venue Operations
- Provides detailed information required for the Immersive Venue Operations Manager to plan and manage staffing, venue, and event operations.
- Plans, monitors, and evaluates the overall guest experience to meet and exceed their expectations. Works together with Immersive Venue Operations Manager to create a seamless high-quality experience, including parking and arrival at the venue, food and beverage, merchandise, ticketing, and amenities offered to enhance the guest experiences.
- Works some evenings and weekends as required by each event.
Team Leadership
- Functions as the principal leader for Blume Studios events, ensuring smooth communication across all teams managed directly or by others.
- Fosters a positive and collaborative working environment that prioritizes creativity, innovation, professionalism, and fiscal responsibility.
- Seeks appropriate opportunities for local creatives to learn through hands on experience. Mentors a select number.
Budget and Resource Management
- Develop and manage event budgets to meet agreed upon budget goals.
- Develops pricing plans collaboratively with marketing and event partners, monitors daily sales, and convenes the appropriate team members to make necessary adjustments in plans.
- Provides financial information in a timely manner that is consistent with Blumenthal financial standards and policies.
- Manages financial reports, event settlements and directs payment to event producers and partners.
Audience Experience and Activation
- Works closely with the Marketing team to effectively describe the show to the public. Helps determine the target audience for the show.
- Gathers reactions formally and informally from audiences that help inform evaluation of current programs and future plans.
- Innovates ways to enhance audience immersion, interaction, and overall satisfaction.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in event or arts management, or related filed supplemented by ten years in event management, including five years producing live or immersive events or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Experience in high-capacity venues or on large-scale events highly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong understanding of technical production elements, including lighting, sound, projection mapping, and special effects.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional organizational and multitasking skills.
- Experience in effectively managing budgets and meeting annual fiscal goals.
- Is passionate about pursing innovative projects and solutions which benefit Charlotte as well as the industry globally.
- Knowledge of immersive technologies such as VR, AR, or interactive media preferred.
- Familiarity with health and safety regulations specific to experiential environments.
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances.