Major University Presenters (MUPs) Consortium
Scope of Work: Administration Services
Overview:
To support the ongoing mission and health of the Major University Presenters (MUPs) Consortium, the MUPs Executive Committee invites proposals from consultants (individuals or collectives) for ongoing facilitation of consortium activities and central administration coordination. Comprising Chief Executives from 22 leading arts presenters at American Universities, along with their senior leadership teams, the MUPs Consortium aims to share best practices, discuss field-wide conditions and challenges, and pursue opportunities for programmatic and administrative collaboration.
History:
Founded in 2002, the MUPs Consortium serves 22 university-affiliated performing arts centers. Its inception addressed the need for leaders in university-affiliated performing arts to enhance their organizational capacities, foster community interactions, curate diverse programming, and secure robust capital and philanthropic support. Each member engages with different institutions and communities, yet shares a commitment to a common purpose, central to discussions within this community of practice.
The consortium supports leadership teams and staff in sharing challenges and successes, encompassing entire organizations to encourage collaboration among directors in programming, marketing, development, finance, and production. The consortium also explores field-wide initiatives, such as creating a co-commissioning fund and mentorship programs for emerging administrators.
Mission: Through connection and information sharing, we strengthen our organizations’ capacities to elevate lives through the power of the arts.
Vision: The arts are integral to higher education and our local/global communities, transforming the way we live and learn, deepening shared experiences and creating communities that are more inclusive, equitable, accessible, and sustainable for all.
Scope of Work:
1. Facilitation of Communications and Gatherings
- Set agendas and participate in 8 annual virtual MUPs Executive Committee meetings, aligning with group priorities and goals.
- Plan and facilitate in-person and virtual gatherings for Chief Executives, currently comprising two in-person and four virtual gatherings each year.
- Initiate discussions on content priorities for upcoming gatherings and recruit guest speakers or subject matter experts as needed.
- Facilitate regular communications and meetings for eight work-alike groups (Marketing, Development, Production/Operations/Security, Finance, Programming, Education/Engagement, Anti-Racism and Front of House/Ticketing/Rental Operations) in coordination with volunteer leaders.
- Ensure volunteer leadership from work-alike groups provides summary notes for Chief Executive members to keep them informed of each group’s activities and invite them to attend CEO gatherings as appropriate.
- Compile and share results and summaries from ad hoc working groups/task forces with the general membership as appropriate.
- Conduct, tabulate and communicate surveys as requested by Members.
- Welcome and facilitate participation and onboarding for current and future work-alike group participants.
- As follow-up to in-person gatherings, particularly those of the Chief Executives, work with the Executive Committee and other working groups as appropriate to move projects forward.
2. Consortium Administration
- Coordinate and schedule all regular in-person and virtual meetings for CEOs and work-alike groups.
- Liaise with host institutions and/or planning committees for in-person gatherings to manage event logistics and support.
- Maintain and organize the MUPs consortium’s centralized record-keeping/file storage for general membership and the Executive Committee, ensuring clear communication on shared practices.
- Manage MUPs communication and information-sharing platforms, including implementing a non-email communication platform to address recent member needs.
- Collect and disseminate data as needed through surveys and other mechanisms.
- Oversee new member orientation and onboarding to ensure understanding of available resources and practices.
- Maintain a basic consortium website.
- Act as the consortium’s fiscal agent, managing membership dues and project fees.
Qualifications of the Administrator:
- Strong familiarity with the arts presenting landscape in higher education.
- Deep connections and relationships with industry thought leaders.
- Up to date on current industry trends, best practices, literature, etc.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the arts.
- Experience facilitating group processes and encouraging active and equal participation amongst members.
- Proficient in gathering, analyzing, distilling, and disseminating information from diverse perspectives.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of individuals and organizations.
- Strong organizational skills with a timely and responsive approach.
- Proficient in utilizing various technology platforms for communication and information sharing.
- Commitment to transparency and open sharing among consortium members.
Salary:
$45,000-$50,000
Qualified applicants should email a cover letter and resume to jobs@majoruniversitypresenters.com. Cover letters should include the website name where you found the posting and be labeled “Last Name – Cover Letter,” and resumes should be labeled “Last Name – Resume”. No phone calls, please.