Auditions Assistant

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

The Auditions Assistant at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance serves as the public face during the auditions and spring recruitment season. You will coordinate audition planning, schedule dates, assist faculty and staff with evaluations, and support applicants and their families.

This hybrid role requires 30-40 hours weekly December through April, with in-person and online auditions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; basic familiarity with the performing arts.
• Excellent written and oral communication; ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to coordinate schedules, manage auditions data, and assist admissions.

Responsibilities

• Provide email and phone support to applicants.
• Schedule & manage auditions data for all SMTD departments.
• Facilitate a hybrid auditions season (in-person and online).
• Prepare audition packets for faculty and audition folders for applicants.
• Manage audition check-in operations for Moore, Walgreen, and Dance Buildings; steer work-study and volunteers for timely coverage.
• Greet and encourage applicants and families; present a warm, professional environment.
• Assist with creating and managing visit schedules for Campus Day.
• Support Campus Day programming, including greeting and escorting admitted students and families, providing logistical support.

Skills

Communication

Scheduling

Data analysis

Public speaking

Customer service

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Slate

M-Pathways

FileMaker Pro

Job description

It is the mission of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance to create an environment of educational and artistic excellence by nurturing creativity, academic integrity, and professionalism in its faculty and students. As a comprehensive performing arts school set in one of the world's finest public institutions of higher education, the School is deeply engaged in the creation, practice, scholarship, and pedagogy of music, theatre, and dance.

• We aim to provide leadership, nationally and internationally, in all three fields.
• We assert and celebrate the value of the arts to the mission of the University of Michigan.
• We serve the community, the region, and the State of Michigan through public performances, cultural resources, arts education, and outreach programs.

The School's mission is predicated on the belief that the study and practice of the performing arts depend upon a diverse community of learning in which a spirit of social responsibility and principled entrepreneurship is fostered.

Responsibilities*

The Auditions Assistant serves as a public face for the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) throughout the auditions and spring recruitment season (December - April). The Auditions Assistant will directly report to the Recruitment Coordinator for Auditions & Interviews and help to coordinate the planning and scheduling of audition days, assist faculty and staff in application evaluations, and to provide assistance for applicants and their families.

Basic Responsibilities:

• Provide email and phone support to applicants
• Schedule & manage auditions data for all SMTD departments
• Facilitate a hybrid auditions season (both in-person and online) for SMTD applicants
• Prepare audition packets for faculty and audition folders for applicants
• Manage audition check-in operations for Moore, Walgreen, and Dance Buildings; steer work-study and volunteers for timely coverage
• Greet and encourage applicants and their families; present a warm, professional environment
• Assist with creating and managing visit schedules for Campus Day
• Support Campus Day programming, including greeting and escorting admitted students and families, providing logistical support, and organizing event materials
• Assist with additional support assignments for admissions

Required Qualifications*

• Must be available 30-40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, December - April. Must be available for all audition dates (January 15-16, 21-23, 28-30 & February 1-6, 8-9, 11-20, 24-26). Some weekends and overtime may be required during peak audition periods.
• A Bachelor's degree is required along with basic familiarity of the performing arts field. The Auditions Assistant will be required to field questions involving technical aspects of the performing arts (terminology, repertoire, composers).
• Candidates must have the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management as well as with prospective students and families. Strong written and oral communication skills are essential, including the ability to exercise tact and diplomacy, and the ability to maintain confidentiality in matters of a sensitive or confidential nature. Must have the ability to think clearly and speak effectively in difficult situations.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise a positive service-oriented attitude, initiative, independent judgment, and follow-through to plan, organize and manage a diverse workload with excellent attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines is essential.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment is necessary.
• Must have excellent presentation skills, data analysis and interpretation abilities, a strong work ethic, and a high level of professionalism.
• Technology Skills: Excellent command of the use of technology in the workplace is essential. Experience in a Macintosh environment, with a working knowledge of common office application suites (Office, iWork, Google Docs) is required.
• This position may involve traveling to various locations on and off campus to conduct business.

Desired Qualifications*

• Professional, collegiate training in the performing arts (music, theatre, dance) is strongly preferred.
• Cross cultural oral and written communication skills, and some experience working with students from international countries is desirable. Speaking ability in a second language is a plus.
• Familiarity with relational databases (such as Slate) and the University's M-Pathways Student Administration System is a plus.
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures is a plus along with an understanding and appreciation of higher education and the diverse cultures of the schools and colleges within the University is a plus.
• Experience with FileMaker Pro or other database architectures beyond simple data entry is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with recording and editing media files, especially video.

Modes of Work

This is a hybrid position with some days working on campus in Ann Arbor, MI. 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 .

Additional Information

Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship (for example: OPT, O-1, H-1B, J-1, etc.) is not available for this position.

A pre-employment background check must be conducted before a candidate may receive a firm offer of employment to a staff position at the University of Michigan.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.