Position Summary
Death of Classical, located in New York City, is looking for a part-time Director of Artistic & Operations, reporting to the General & Artistic Director, in order to support our artistic planning and administration, concert production team, and general operations.
As the Director of Artistic & Operations, you’re the steady hand (and occasionally, the flashlight) guiding Death of Classical’s creative maelstrom into smooth execution. You’ll oversee artistic planning, operations, and production logistics for our season of concerts and immersive events, ensuring every aspect of our shows – from artist bookings to audience experience – always hits the right notes.
You’ll work closely with the Artistic Director to realize ambitious projects, and you’ll have the support of a small but mighty team:
- An Artistic Admin Associate who handles artist and venue contracts, logistics, and hospitality;
- A Production Lead and Production Associate who bring events to life on-site and manages technical and front-of-house details;
- A Development Associate who works on fundraising and sponsorship, and a Grant Writer who... well... writes grants, obviously...
- A Finance and HR Consultant who wrangles budgets, payments, and compliance so you can focus on making the magic happen (safely, and on budget).
While we are open to fully-remote candidates, the position would ideally be a mix of remote and in-person work, with candidates being able to travel throughout the New York City area to attend performances, cultivation events, and board meetings.
About Death of Classical
Death of Classical presents acclaimed classical music and opera concerts in extraordinary spaces - crypts, catacombs, and cemeteries - paired with curated food, drink, and spirits tastings. Our performances have been praised by the New York Times, Billboard, Forbes, and The New Yorker, featuring renowned artists from the New York Philharmonic to Laurie Anderson. We create deeply personal, transformative experiences that change how people perceive and experience classical music.
DoC was founded by Andrew Ousley, who who is also the President and Founder of Unison Media, an award-winning, industry-leading PR/Marketing agency for the performing arts.
Hours and Compensation
This is a non-exempt, part-time hourly position, averaging less than 30 hours per week. Hours are flexible aside from in-person events. Pay rate ranges from $40-50 per hour, depending on experience.
Key Responsibilities
Artistic Administration
- Collaborate with the Artistic Director on programming, artist selection, and season planning.
- Supervise the Artistic Administration Associate on artist contracting, travel, accommodations, hospitality, and other logistics.
- Maintain relationships with artists, agents, venues, and partner organizations — ensuring everyone’s happy, hydrated, and hopefully not lost in the catacombs.
- Coordinate collection of program materials, bios, and notes for marketing and production use.
Operations & Production
- Oversee planning and execution of all Death of Classical events, from crypt concerts to cemetery soirees.
- Supervise the Production Lead, ensuring smooth load-ins, tech, and front-of-house operations (bonus points if you can do it without getting wax on your shoes).
- Manage venue relationships, permits, insurance, and compliance — because “haunted” is fine, “hazardous” is not.
- Ensure that each event delivers a seamless and unforgettable audience experience, from the first candlelight flicker to the last glass of bourbon.
Administration & Budget
- Oversee budget development and financial tracking in collaboration with the Finance and HR Consultant.
- Approve artist and vendor payments, reconcile expenses, and maintain accurate administrative records.
- Support fundraising and grant reporting by providing project budgets, metrics, and event summaries (yes, including how many guests fit comfortably between tombs).
- Develop operational systems and workflows to help a growing organization thrive efficiently — even when the Wi-Fi signal doesn’t reach the crypt.
Qualifications
Essential
- 5+ years of experience in arts administration, concert production, or operations (nonprofit experience preferred).
- You should be super smart, razor sharp, wildly efficient, and an unmitigated delight of a human being to interact with
- Ability to interact professionally with boards members, donors, colleagues, artists, and audience members.
- Demonstrated ability to manage teams, multiple projects, and complex logistics under pressure.
Excellent communicator and collaborator — able to wrangle artists, stagehands, and clergy with equal grace. - Strong budgeting, scheduling, and organizational skills (you find calm in the chaos).
- Unflappable in unconventional settings and unafraid of the occasional evening in a dark cemetery.
- Passion for adventurous performance and a sense of humor about working in spaces that come with both history and humidity.
Desirable
- Experience with classical music, opera, or immersive performance.
- Familiarity with NYC event permitting and health/safety compliance for nontraditional venues.
- Fundraising or development collaboration experience.
- A flexible spirit and a good flashlight.
- Love of classical music would probably be good, given that we're a classical music concert presenter...
- Fluency in English required, unless you speak Elvish. Then we can converse exclusively in Elvish.
To Apply
Please submit your application via the form HERE.
Death of Classical is an equal opportunity employer and committed to diversity in hiring. Equity is central to our culture, mission, and who we are as an arts organization. Death of Classical does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership, parental status, military status, or any other non-merit factor.
