Community Engagement Assistant

About the Metropolitan Opera Guild

The Metropolitan Opera Guild supports the Metropolitan Opera Association through charitable contributions, membership dues and other support. The Guild also encourages the appreciation of opera by providing a network of music and arts education programs to over 1,200 schools and communities worldwide, and through the monthly publication of OPERA NEWS.

Summary Position Description

The Community Engagement Assistant is an integral member of a small team and reports to the Director of Learning & Engagement. The Community Engagement season consists of programs primarily for adult and lifelong learners, including lectures, master classes, Backstage Tours, and more. This position is fully immersed in programs throughout the duration of the season, and also acts as the face of the Metropolitan Opera Guild in relationship-building with a diverse group of constituents.

This is a full-time position with an annual salary of $50,000 for a 40-hour workweek on a flexible schedule. Work is to be performed at the Guild’s Manhattan office. Weekend and evening availability will be required to accommodate internal events and outside rentals.

The anticipated start date for this position is Monday, February 6th, 2023.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the Opera Learning Center by: handling set-ups and strikes for internal and rental events, including seating for up to 70 and assisted relocation of upright and baby grand pianos and modular stage platforms throughout the week; running A/V for internal events and rentals as needed; coordinating with building maintenance and the Director of Finance & Administration regarding necessary cleaning and repairs.
• Maintain Outlook calendar with all internal events and Guild employee space reservation requests. Maintain staff support schedule for setup and strike of all Opera Learning Center events. Report on upcoming activities in Opera Learning Center in weekly email and at department meetings.
• Oversee rental sales of the Opera Learning Center by external clients and organizations. Proactively create new client relationships, and maintain current clients. Field incoming rental requests, execute contracts, maintain calendar with all setup and technical needs for each rental, receive and process payments, maintain payment tracking document.
• Manage the Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast. This includes maintaining episode calendar, editing and assembling audio components for episodes, and creation of social media content for promotion of episodes.
• Create video promotional materials for lectures and events as well as edit video clips to be used in lecture materials, as needed.
• Maintain the Community Engagement department’s presence on the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s various social media platforms by creating strategies and content to maximize outreach. Create engaging content that promotes and markets lectures and events across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter platforms.
• Provide excellent customer service while: processing phone, web and walkup ticket orders; engaging with the public at internal, Metropolitan Opera, and partner events; working as front-of-house staff for internal events; receiving audience feedback and reporting findings to the department.
• Complete database entry and maintenance using the Tessitura ticketing system.
• Maintain correspondence with customers through e-mail, phone, and mail.
• Provide editorial support for educational and marketing materials and handouts.
• Provide interdepartmental support at student dress rehearsals, gala events etc.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• High-energy, hard-working team player confident in his/her ability to take initiative when needed.
• Clear, effective, and open communication is essential.
• Previous experience in customer service, sales, hospitality, stage management, or special events is preferred.
• Familiarity and working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite programs required. Experience with Audacity, Garage Band, iMovie, Final Cut Pro is preferred. Familiarity with ticketing software, particularly Tessitura, is a plus.
• Ability to lift approximately 50 pounds
• Background or interest in classical music, opera and/or theater is preferred. The successful candidate will be expected to cultivate relationships with the public and must thrive on communicating with audiences diverse in ages and levels of opera knowledge.

Please note: All newly hired employees of The Metropolitan Opera Guild must have their booster dose of an FDA-authorized or WHO-listed COVID-19 vaccine, and provide proof of such in order to begin employment, unless a reasonable accommodation is granted. The basis for reasonable accommodation is limited and supported documentation may be requested.