How to Apply
You must apply through the U-M Jobs website (careers.umich.edu). To be considered, your application package must include a resume and cover letter, not to exceed one page, describing how this position fits with and advances your career goals.
Who We Are
Now in its 146th season, UMS continues to showcase traditional performing arts alongside contemporary artists and is admired across the country for its boundary-pushing roster of artists and its curious and supportive audiences.
Housed on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, UMS is one of the oldest performing arts presenters in the country, committed to connecting audiences with performing artists from around the world in uncommon and engaging experiences. With a program steeped in music, dance, and theater, UMS contributes to a vibrant cultural community by presenting approximately 60-75 performances and over 100 free educational activities each season. UMS also commissions new work, sponsors artist residencies, and organizes collaborative projects with local, national, and international partners.
UMS was selected as one of the 2014 recipients of the National Medal of Arts, the nation's highest public artistic honor, awarded annually by the president of the United States at the White House to those who have demonstrated a lifetime of creative excellence, according to the National Endowment for the Arts, which oversees the selection process. For more information on UMS visit: www.ums.org. We are committed to the development of staff who thrive and contribute to a positive and inclusive environment.
What You'll Do
The Group Sales and Promotions Associate designs and facilitate special ticket arrangements targeted to different types of groups and community resources, including university, K-12, and community groups. The position sets up orders and provides ticketing support throughout the sales process with all group orders, identifies and recruits groups to attend performances, in addition to overseeing order fulfillment for subsidiary organizations for which UMS is the contracted ticket seller. This position also assists in the coordination of operations for a multi-faceted ticket office, including reconciling daily office receipts, supervising front-line staff, and working at performances as a representative or lead of the Patron Services office.
(70%) Group Prospecting and Fulfillment
- Work with the UMS Learning & Engagement department and the UMS Development department to strengthen existing and new relationships by facilitating ticketing sales that arise through their contacts.
- Collaborate with the UMS Marketing department to identify potential groups and contribute to sales and attendance by reaching out to community organizations or individuals with a known or potential interest in UMS events.
- Collaborate with the UMS University Programs Manager to effectively manage ticket programs for university courses, including communication and coordinating payments and ticket distribution.
- Collaborate with the UMS Associate Director of Learning & Engagement to effectively manage ticket programs for K-12 School Day Performances, including communication, coordination of payments, and seat assignments.
- Maintain a system of tracking all group sales from initial contact through invoicing, payment processing, ticket delivery and attendance.
- Assist in the development of sales literature, emails, and discounted ticket offers to support targeted sales efforts.
- Utilize office technologies, including Tessitura and Asana, to streamline ordering processes for groups and build promotion codes
- Process inter-university payments across departments and coordinate with UMS Finance
- Ensure fulfillment of group ticket sales requests for the School of Music, Theater, and Dance (SMTD), the Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF), and any other outside organizations for which UMS is the contracted ticket seller
- Assist in the enforcement of Patron Services departmental policies and procedures as it pertains to order processing, IT/financial security, customer service initiatives, and internal office guidelines
(20%) Patron Services Office Supervision Support
- Contribute to the day-to-day management of the Patron Services Office by helping supervise, train, and delegate tasks to student staff, assist front line staff in ticket sales and solve problems at the window or by phone
- Help ensure opening and closing procedures are completed and periodically perform End of Day reporting duties
- Serve as Ticket Office Lead for UMS, U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and Ann Arbor Summer Festival performances and events.
(10%) Other Duties as Assigned
Required Qualifications*
1-2 years of experience in performing arts marketing, box office sales, customer service or ticket administration and group sales
Proficiency with Microsoft applications, including Google Suite, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Excellent phone management and customer service skills
Experience with building strong customer relationships
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
Demonstrated ability to work independently
Demonstrated organizational ability under pressure
Demonstrated active listening, written, verbal and information technology skills
Demonstrated ability to manage stress effectively
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and seamlessly as an integral member of the team
Desired Qualifications*
- Associates degree in relevant field
- Proficiency with Tessitura software and Asana
- Knowledge of the performing arts and University of Michigan processes
Why Work at Michigan?
We offer a benefits package that includes comprehensive training and career development opportunities, generous retirement savings plans, ample paid time off, and a wealth of family care support: https://careers.umich.edu/benefits/
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Work Schedule
This is a full-time position that regularly requires evening and weekend work, with a core weekday M-F schedule. It is based in Ann Arbor, MI, on the campus of the University of Michigan. Evening and weekend work may be required.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.