Administrative Associate – Electric

Metopera; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Opera is seeking an Administrative Associate – Electric to support the Electric Department payroll and administrative needs under the Production Finance Manager and Head Electrician. This on-site role requires precise data entry, payroll knowledge, and strong organizational skills.

You will handle timesheets, processing purchases, vendor coordination, and HR paperwork, ensuring accurate records and timely reporting in a high-pressure theatre environment.

Qualifications

• BA degree or equivalent.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong mathematical skills and attention to numerical detail.
• Experience in data entry or bookkeeping. Some accounts payable experience preferred.
• Experience managing timesheets and entering payroll data preferred.
• Ability to acquire new computer skills and master new data systems quickly. Experience with Excel, Word, and Adobe Pro preferred.
• Some understanding/familiarity with technical theatre preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collect and review timesheets for electric crew and shop employees and enter payroll data into the payroll system.
• Develop knowledge of IATSE Local 1 agreements and work rules affecting pay.
• Maintain payroll codes and activity mapping and support weekly crew schedules.
• Provide payroll data research and respond to payroll questions from staff.
• Process department purchase orders, track expenses, and manage vendor relations.
• Coordinate deliveries, loading dock logistics, and distribute materials.
• Perform general administrative duties including phones, attendance, and HR paperwork.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Mathematical skills

Payroll data entry

Timesheet management

Education

BA degree or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Word

Adobe Pro

Job description

The Production Department of The Metropolitan Opera is responsible for all production and technical details related to the development, creation, and performance of the opera repertory, the coordination of presentations and special events, the operation and maintenance of, as well as improvements to the Metropolitan Opera stage, shops, and warehouses. The Administrative Associate – Electric is an essential part of this process, working at the direction of the Production Finance Manager and Head Electrician to support the administration of the Electric Department payroll and administrative needs. The Electric Department of the Metropolitan Opera’s IATSE Local One stage crew is responsible for the execution of the lighting, sound, video, and automation elements of Met productions, presentations, and special events.

Responsibilities

• PAYROLL
  • Collect and review timesheets for the electric stage crew and shop employees, and timely and accurately enter payroll data into the Met’s proprietary payroll system.
  • Develop and maintain knowledge of IATSE Local 1 collective bargaining agreements and work rules that affect pay.
  • The Met’s payroll systems and structure of pay codes to accurately assign the correct activity and pay codes.
  • Weekly operations schedules and crew assignments to understand the weekly work of the Electric Department and the correct corresponding pay codes for the work.
  • Provide research, data gathering, and analysis for payroll-related questions.
  • Answer department staff questions about paychecks and timesheets, and make corrections as needed.
• PURCHASING
  • Process and track all department purchase orders and accounts payable submissions.
  • Maintain purchasing files and records.
  • Interface with Production Finance Manager to track expenses and maintain vendor relations on behalf of the department.
  • Track and manage deliveries for the Electric Department with outside vendors and internal staff, and coordinate loading dock deliveries and distribution of materials.
  • OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
    • Perform administrative duties including answering office telephone, taking messages, keeping attendance records, ordering office supplies.
    • Initiate and track Electric Department new-hire and job-change paperwork in coordination with HR.
    • Other assignments as needed.

Qualifications

• BA degree or equivalent.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong mathematical skills and attention to numerical detail.
• Experience in data entry or bookkeeping. Some accounts payable experience preferred.
• Experience managing timesheets and entering payroll data preferred.
• Ability to acquire new computer skills and master new data systems quickly. Experience with Excel, Word, and Adobe Pro preferred.
• Some understanding/familiarity with technical theatre preferred.

Additional Requirements

• This is a full-time, on-site position.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Must be able to work well in a high-pressure/fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to work successfully with a variety of personality types.
• Must be able to learn and adapt to a changing work environment.
• Must be able to work successfully both independently and as part of a team.
• Regularly required to sit, talk, and hear.
• Frequently required to use repetitive hand motion and to stand, walk, reach, bend.
• Occasionally required to lift up to 20 pounds.

The Metropolitan Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.