Executive and Artistic Director, The Soraya

California State University, Northridge

Job Location:

Northridge, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 18 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Organization

Nestled on the southernmost part of California State University Northridge (CSUN) The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) welcomes the world to CSUN and fosters the creativity curiosity and intellectual development of its students faculty and staff. The Soraya serves as a premier cultural hub for CSUN the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles region. Its mission is to offer diverse inclusive and world-class performances that enrich the cultural and educational fabric of the region while supporting CSUNs educational mission. The Soraya is committed to supporting both established and emerging artists and fostering campus and community engagement through the transformative power of the arts.

Originally opened in 2011 as the Valley Performing Arts Center The Soraya was renamed in 2017 in recognition of a major gift from arts philanthropists Younes and Soraya Nazarian. Designed with state-of-the-art acoustics and architectural excellence the 1690-seat Great Hall is the centerpiece of a 166000-square-foot facility that also includes rehearsal spaces and support amenities that accommodate a wide range of artistic disciplines. Its Valera Lobby levels courtyard rooftop terrace Porter Pavilion and art gallery offer various gathering spaces. The facility also houses several spaces managed by the Mike Curb College and the University including a 178-seat black box theater CSUNs largest lecture hall four theatre training labs and CSUNs nationally acclaimed public radio station 88.5 The SoCal addition to the Soraya Great Hall Soraya staff also manage the separate 483 seat Plaza del Sol performance venue located within the University Student Union.

Each season The Soraya presents a dynamic array of performances spanning classical music jazz global traditions contemporary dance Broadway and more. Its current season features a mix of internationally acclaimed artists and innovative new works highlighting cross-cultural exchange and artistic excellence. Artists routinely provide masterclasses for CSUNs performing arts students and engage with students across campus. Student ensembles have been invited to perform as part of the Sorayas presenting season and CSUNs academic programs utilize Soraya spaces regularly for performances connected to their curriculum. Recent and upcoming programming highlights include Gregory Porter the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Lila Downs and Martha Graham Dance Company. With a strong curatorial vision The Soraya continues to be a vibrant destination for both audiences and artists alike. The annual Jazz at Naz Festival programming offers a jazz club feel bringing audience members onstage for dinner and libations in addition to mainstage performances by jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis Samara Joy Christian McBride Chucho Valdés and more. Festival presentations are livestreamed as well as Spanish language concert programs.

The Soraya is deeply committed to arts education and community engagement through programs such as arts integration workshops masterclasses and school-day matinees. The Soraya serves thousands of K-12 students annually through youth outreach initiatives that foster access to the performing arts for under-resourced populations and provide pathways for young people to experience live performance often for the first time. The Soraya also partners with local organizations to bring culturally relevant programming into community spaces.

The Soraya employs 31 full-time and approximately 145 part-time and seasonal staff members including 91 represented employees. Direct reports for the Executive and Artistic Director include the Director of Development General Manager Director of Marketing and Communications Director of Programming Director of Production and an executive assistant. The operating budget for the current fiscal year ending June 30 2026 is $9.7 million with approximately 50% from contributions grants and other fundraising. The Soraya is supported by founders & community partners Ambassadors The Legacy Society and the Executive Directors Circle. The Executive and Artistic Director of the Soraya reports to CSUNs Vice President for Administration and Finance.

The University

California State University Northridge (CSUN) is one of the largest universities within the 22 campus California State University Systemthe largest public higher education system in the world. CSUN serves nearly 40000 students annually across its 353 acres and 91 facilities and its students reflect the rich diversity of the San Fernando Valleys 2 million residents. CSUN counts a number of distinguished business arts political and cultural leaders among its more than 400000 CSUN alumni.

The campus includes nine colleges and many cultural resources for faculty staff and students including the Mike Curb College of Arts Media and Communication which offers robust performing arts fine arts and media programs and includes performance rehearsal and exhibit spaces as well as the College of Health and Human Development which contains several Dance spaces. CSUN has embarked on an era of remarkable growth with nearly half a billion dollars and 300000 square feet of capital projects either recently completed or in progress. These include the recently completed Autodesk Technology Engagement Center and Maple Hall Classroom Facility and the upcoming Matador Success and Inclusion Center and Student Union Gateway Project. CSUN is a major source of economic development within the region contributing to industries such as hospitality technology financial services and engineering.

Community

The Northridge area can trace its history back to the Tongva people and later to Spanish explorers. Originally named Zelzah by settlers in 1908 the community was renamed North Los Angeles in 1929 but in 1938 civic leader Carl S. Dentzel decided to rename the community to Northridge Village which morphed into modern-day Northridge. 100 years ago the San Fernando Valley was home to orange lemon and avocado groves an agricultural community rooted in hard work that fed Angelenos and beyond. The campus is still home to a five-acre 400 Valencia orange tree grove. A century later the spirit of that community lives on in the Angelenos who call the San Fernando Valley their home.

On weekdays the San Fernando Valley is bustling with commuters family-owned businesses and 1.9 million people building their homes and their lives. On weekends streets close for low-rider cruise nights farmers markets and more. School and church lots transform into festivals where families and friends gather throughout the year. Parks are filled with sports tournaments and play and boulevards come alive with nightlife.

Sources: ; ; ; Summary

The Executive and Artistic Director will provide leadership and have overall responsibility for programming fundraising external relations mission fulfillment and the financial performance of The Soraya. Reporting to the Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer the Executive and Artistic Director will collaborate closely with senior campus leadership to ensure alignment with the Universitys educational mission. The Executive and Artistic Director will demonstrate exemplary personnel management maintaining high performance consistency and excellent customer service from The Sorayas staff and will uphold the highest standards of quality across all programs. The Executive and Artistic Director will play a vital role in shaping the reputation and mission of the University while enhancing the cultural life of the San Fernando Valley. Additionally the Executive and Artistic Director will explore strategic opportunities for revenue growth through new partnerships and programming initiatives.

Role and Responsibilities

Leadership Artistic Vision and Program Management

Articulate an overall artistic vision consistent with CSUNs mission and academic goals that models the CSUN Leadership Principles.

Develop and present programming across music (symphonic and classical jazz world popular) Broadway opera dance lectures and film working with the Director of Programming to select and contract guest artists/ensembles and managing relationships with artistic partners.

Ensure programming reflects and supports CSUNs arts and media instruction as well as reflecting the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles communities while maintaining the Sorayas reputation for excellence.

Foster a supportive environment for guest artists ensembles students faculty and audiences to ensure excellent performances and experiences.

Oversee the master calendar scheduling and production of concerts rehearsals and events at The Soraya as well as venue operations in collaboration with the leadership team of The Soraya.

Embrace other leadership artistic vision and program management responsibilities as needed.

Governance Financial Leadership and Fundraising

Initiate and guide creative and collaborative leadership for all operations at the Great Hall and Plaza del Sol including programming production facilities development marketing/communications box office board relations artistic administration and hospitality.

Define strategic goals and organizational priorities working closely with CSUN leadership to engage in creative problem-solving alongside advisory committees management/operations teams and campus leadership.

Develop and implement balanced budgets and strategic plans to maintain fiscal sustainability monitor financial performance ensure compliance with university fiscal policies and manage grants sponsorships and special gifts alongside the General Manager.

Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan in partnership with CSUN University Relations and Advancement including individual corporate foundation and government opportunities as well as cultivating and stewarding major donors and creating opportunities to connect artists and donors.

Embrace other governance financial leadership and fundraising responsibilities as needed.

Education Community Collaboration and Operations

Create interdisciplinary collaborations and arts education initiatives in partnership with academic departments and faculty to consistently communicate with campus constituencies ensuring alignment and transparency in planning and programming.

Establish a year-round community and school-based educational programs that foster appreciation of the arts and support student recruitment engagement and academic enrichment through campus-based arts programming with the Campus Engagement Associate.

Nurture ongoing working relationships between production departments (including those in the Mike Curb College of Arts Media and Communication and the Dance programs in the College of Health and Human Development) and the professional field initiating jobs and internships with learning experiences to grow and develop exposure and experience.

Develop and maintain sustainable relationships with vendors renters resident companies and community partners.

Set policies for facility use beyond scheduled performances and ensure compliance with safety accessibility and service standards.

Oversee front- and back-of-house operations with the General Manager and the Director of Audience Services ensuring hospitality to provide high-quality experiences.

Supervise the training of the operations staff ensuring compliance with safety and customer service standards.

Embrace other education community collaboration and operations responsibilities as needed.

Marketing Audience Development and External Affairs

Direct marketing communications and public relations strategies with the Director of Marketing and Communications to build The Soraya brand locally regionally nationally and internationally.

Serve as an innovative thinker in identifying reaching and engaging broad community audiences growing patron and subscriber bases while also encouraging student faculty and community attendance positioning The Soraya as a destination of choice for all performing arts audiences.

Develop and implement comprehensive external affairs strategies including cross-promotions and sponsorships with campus and community partners while also building relationships with civic organizations chambers of commerce schools and local governments to position The Soraya as a cultural and educational resource.

Represent the Soraya in local regional national and international conferences as well as arts/education organizations serving as a representative for both The Soraya and CSUN.

Embrace other marketing audience development and external affairs responsibilities as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

As an ambassador in the community the Executive and Artistic Director will be a gifted collaborator and communicator who builds relationships and partnerships both on campus and with the community and who is at the forefront of the experimental media and performing arts fields. The Executive and Artistic Director will be a strategic thinker with the ability to bring continuity to the programming and educational offerings. They will have a unique vision on how a performing arts center operates in an academic setting elevating the programming lens with a strong approach on how it integrates with the entire campus and activates connections. The Executive and Artistic Director will have a track record reflective of a key priority for and investment in relationship building with the ability to build trust with a variety of diverse stakeholders including faculty donors county officials and community representatives. They will be a strong and seasoned leader and partner with the cultural sensitivity to understand and lead in a large unique and diverse market like the Los Angeles community with an authentic sense of civic pride in the area and with no doubt in their ability to clearly articulate the benefits of community investment.

Other key competencies include:

Leadership The fortitude to organize and influence people to believe in a vision while creating a sense of purpose and direction within a complex organization such as CSUN.

Time and Priority Management The dexterity to prioritize and complete tasks to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames keeping the dynamics and nature of the performing arts in mind.

Diplomacy and Problem Solving The ability to effectively and tactfully handle difficult or sensitive issues while also being able to define analyze and diagnose key components of a problem to formulate a solution.

Interpersonal Skills and Customer Focus The acumen to effectively communicate build rapport and relate well to all kinds of people while anticipating meeting and/or exceeding customer needs wants and expectations.

Qualifications

A bachelors degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a job-related field is required; a masters degree is desirable. A minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in operating and managing a successful performing arts center is required including at least three years in a managerial role. Strong financial and operational management skills including oversight of a similarly sized budget and staff are highly desirable. A vision for integrating professional presenting programs with university curricula in music dance and theater is favored. A thorough knowledge of music and the performing arts coupled with a proven track record in programming presenting and engaging audiences is preferred. Excellent interpersonal communication and supervisory skills are essential; the ability to lead motivate and manage diverse teams is required along with a commitment to diversity equity and inclusion. Experience with donor cultivation and cross-sector partnerships is a plus as well as a demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and a large group of constituents.

Compensation Benefits and Compliance

California State University Northridge and the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts offer a competitive compensation package with an estimated salary range between $260000 and $285000 and benefits that include a comprehensive group insurance benefit program health insurance with medical vision and dental care health and dependent care reimbursement accounts parking deduction plan and long-term disability. Retirement benefits are offered through a voluntary 403(b) plan with a matching contribution CALPERS CALHR Savings and/or CALHR (401K). Vacation sick bereavement parental organ donor holiday and jury duty leave time are also provided as well as workers compensation life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. A fee waiver is also offered for up to two courses or six units whichever is greater per term. The fee waiver benefit may also be transferred to a spouse registered domestic partner or eligible dependent child. Additional supplemental benefits are also offered as outlined in the CSU Benefits summary brochure found here.

Background check

This position is a sensitive position as designated by the California State University. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the status of candidates who apply for the position.

CANRA

The person holding this position will be considered a limited reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in California State University Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Conflict of Interest

This position is a designated position in the California State Universitys Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Please note: California State University Northridge (CSUN) is not currently sponsoring staff management or faculty positions for H-1B employment visas. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

Applications and Inquiries

To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred) please click here or visit For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity please contact:

Nagham Wehbe President

Josyanne Roche Vice President

8581 Santa Monica Boulevard Suite 406

Los Angeles CA 90069-4120

Tel (888) 234.4236 Ext. 228 (Wehbe) or Ext. 245 (Roche)

CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination based on Age Disability (physical or mental) Gender Gender Identity (including Nonbinary or Transgender) Gender Expression Genetic Information Marital Status Medical Condition Nationality Pregnancy or related conditions Race or Ethnicity (including color caste or ancestry) Religion or Religious Creed Sex (including Sex Stereotyping or Sex Characteristics) Sexual Orientation and Veteran or Military Status. Our nondiscrimination policy is outlined in the Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Talent Acquisition at .

Required Experience:

Director

OrganizationNestled on the southernmost part of California State University Northridge (CSUN) The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) welcomes the world to CSUN and fosters the creativity curiosity and intellectual development of its students faculty and staff. The...