Job Description

Company Manager

Founded in 1947 by Nina Vance, the Alley Theatre is a pioneer of regional theatre, and one of the leading nonprofit theatre companies in the United States. The Alley has been awarded the prestigious Regional Theatre Tony Award and the Texas Medal of Arts Award. The Alley has transferred productions to Broadway, Off-Broadway, major European Festivals, and to 40 American cities. Unique among regional theatres, the Alley is committed to maintaining a Resident Acting Company and providing them with work year-round. Nationally recognized directors, actors, playwrights, and designers from across the country have regularly joined the Resident Acting Company.

Rob Melrose, Artistic Director at the Alley, took over as artistic leader of the organization in 2019. His vision for the future of the Alley is both thrilling and ambitious. His strategic goals include upholding the Alley's artistic excellence, keeping longtime Alley Theatre devotees eager to return each season, and creating productions and cultivating new audiences.

Rob Melrose, Managing Director Jennifer Bielstein and the Alley's leadership team are committed to fostering an environment where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic selves.

The Company Manager works in close collaboration with the General Manager and Associate General Manager focusing mainly on providing exceptional hospitality for the artists. This includes attending to all travel, housing, transportation, and personal needs for guest artists. The Company Manager also works as part of the General Management team to determine and maintain budget line items, and is key in establishing a positive and welcoming environment for artists. The Alley General Management Team consists of the General Manager, Associate General Manager, Company Manager, and GM Assistant. The Alley does an eight-play subscription season, two holiday productions, a summer show, a new play initiative, and a robust array of education and community engagement programs. The Alley also owns its own production facility, which includes a five-story state-of-the-art Center for Theatre Production and the Meredith J. Long Theater Center, which houses the 774-seat Hubbard Stage and the 290-seat Neuhaus Stage.

Job Duties

• Lead on coordination of travel arrangements, housing, and hospitality for visiting artists including directors, designers, actors, coaches, and other guests; this may sometimes include arrangements for executive leadership
• Collaborate with the General Management department on all productions from conception to close
• Support the Associate General Manager in the drafting and execution of artist contracts
• Oversee and maintain the housing and travel budget, including reconciliation and reforecasts, and other budgets as assigned
• Act as the main point of contact and first responder to urgent matters for artists via a Google Voice phone, both during normal business hours and on nights and weekends
• Respond to housing and travel emergencies or coordinate such responses as needed with the support of the GM Assistant
• Initiate with Human Resources and the GM Assistant to support artist physical and mental health needs including arranging transportation to workers' comp-related appointments, providing mental health resources, and handling emergencies with guest artists (i.e., accompany an artist on a rare late night visit to the ER)
• Manage and maintain the Season Artist Travel Calendar through the Alley's Producing Process
• Oversee travel and housing reimbursements for artists
• Support the Associate General Manager to prepare, submit, and track payroll, benefit reports, and payments for artists
• Oversee payments for travel and housing vendor invoices
• Coordinate communications with visiting artists, including updating resources like the Alley Theatre Welcome Packet
• Manage the Alley Theatre's Airtable databases and build new databases as needed. Current databases include Flight Preferences and Travel, Alley Artist Surveys and Casting and Creative Teams.
• Act as main contact for housing and travel vendors such as hotels, airlines, and car services
• Work with the Development Department to secure hotel and airline season sponsorship each year
• Develop and maintain community partnerships to address personal needs that may arise while artists are in residence (e.g. gym, physical therapy, restaurants, etc)
• Coordinate with the Operations Department to organize internal events including but not limited to first rehearsal, kick-offs, and opening nights
• Take initiative to ensure compliance with AEA, SDC, and USA and respective collective bargaining agreements, particularly regarding housing and travel
• Attend production meetings, technical rehearsals, and performances as needed
• Comprehends a working knowledge of the Associate General Manager's position and supports them as needed. This may include processing artist compensation, drafting and executing artist offers and contracts, or responding to communications inside and outside of the company when they are out of the office.
• Complete special projects as requested

Qualifications

• Computer knowledge, including the Microsoft suite (especially Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams)
• Must maintain a valid driving license and have access to a car
• Skills in project management and/or creative problem solving
• Preferred knowledge and experience with theatrical unions (AEA, SDC, USA)
• Experience in a LORT theatre desired but not necessary
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, energized and quickly changing environment
• A proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making skills
• Detail oriented, able to prioritize efficiently and multi-task
• Ability to be self-directed and take initiative
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Exhibits a positive attitude with good interpersonal skills and empathy

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Ability to lift and move 50 lbs
• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where directions and priorities can change rapidly
• Typical hours are during the weekday, but the position regularly requires weekend, holidays and evening work or on-call hours. Alley rehearsal hours are currently Tuesday-Saturday, ending by 7pm.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, floating holiday and sick time
• 401(k) with matching, FSA, HRA (Alley paid deductible)
• Free and discounted tickets to Alley Theatre performances
• Discounted Parking ($4 Bi-weekly)
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee wellness program & Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Houston, TX is one of the most affordable cities in the nation with no state or city income tax.

To Apply Please submit a Resume and Cover Letter along with your application. Alley Theatre is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at hrdept@alleytheatre.org. The Alley Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

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