Assistant Director, Times Square Arts

The Times Square Alliance seeks an experienced Assistant Director to realize public art projects, public programming, and support all aspects of Times Square Arts.
Times Square Arts collaborates with artists representing a diversity of disciplines to experiment and engage with one of the world's most iconic urban places, by commissioning, producing and presenting temporary, site-specific public art throughout Times Square’s plazas, vacant spaces, and digital billboards.
Arguably one of the largest public platforms for contemporary visual art and performance with 300,000 - 450,000 people passing through the district daily, Times Square also celebrates a long history of being a space for creative expression and artist-led interventions. Since its inception in 2010, Times Square Arts has invited both emerging and world-renowned artists to engage with this dynamic and powerful public platform, including Charles Gaines, Laurie Anderson, Tania Bruguera, Nick Cave, Mel Chin, Yoko Ono, Jeffrey Gibson, and Kehinde Wiley. Times Square Arts also frequently partners with New York City-based cultural organizations and collectives, most recently including Creative Time, the Queens Museum, Governors Island Arts, the Jewish Museum, Pioneer Works, Art Omi, Prototype Festival, New York Live Arts, and The Lot Radio.
The Times Square Arts team also coordinates with the Alliance’s Events & Programming team to support TSQ LIVE, the annual season of free, open-air events and performances. Times Square Arts works closely with various departments throughout the Alliance, including, most frequently, Operations, Communications, Development & Strategic Partnerships, People & Culture, and Stakeholder Services & Signature Events.
The Times Square ArtsAssistant Director would report to the Director of Times Square Arts, oversee the Public Art Manager, and any project-based staff as well as fellows and interns, and liaise interdepartmentally across all departments as needed.
Strong candidates for this role will have any combination of the following skill sets and experiences:

• Significant experience producing major projects and/or large-scale events within at least one of the following fields: visual arts, including sculpture, installation, and video; performing arts, including music, dance, or theater; and architecture and design. Technical knowledge in one or more of those fields is desirable.
• Experience working directly with artists to develop complex projects, ideally in an unconventional or public setting.
•  Experience managing and producing programming and events within an organization, including research, planning, budgeting, timelines, contracting, marketing, digital communications, and documentation. Knowledge of permitting, legal, insurance, and liability issues is a plus.
• Ability to engage in critical conversations around contemporary public art and complex issues, and stays current with the work contemporary artists, arts organizations, trends in the field, as well as timely social, cultural, and political issues.
•   Experience working directly with the public and possesses a welcoming and flexible communication style that allows for meaningful dialogue with audiences that represent a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and interests.
• Will be organized, proactive, curious, cool under pressure, open to experimentation and risk, adept at working independently and collaboratively, and have demonstrable leadership qualities, as well as great communication and listening skills.  

More specifically, the Assistant Directorwill:

• Work with the Director and Public Art Manager on a long-term vision, curatorial planning, and strategic partnerships for Times Square Arts
• Work closely with artists and partners to develop proposals, realize major artist commissions, present performances, and partnership-based events
• Educate internal and project-based staff about artists’ projects and train public art ambassadors to engage with audiences on the ground. 
• With artists, design and implement project-specific community engagement initiatives, and lead year-round arts-based engagement efforts for the community members and stakeholders within Times Square. 
•  With support from the Public Art Manager, build and drive project timelines and budgets, execute agreements, and track deliverables, including permits and payments
• Lead and facilitate production meetings, oversee staffing plans and strategize on complex technical challenges requirements. 
• Build project teams; hire and oversee, with the Public Art Manager, project-specific vendors, front-of-house staff, etc., as needed.
•   With the Public Art Manager, liaise with the Operations, Communications, Development & Strategic Partnerships, and Stakeholder Services & Signature Events teams.
• Provide guidance and support for the Public Art Manager in the oversight of the Midnight Moment program, including the artist selection process, and liaising with artists, partners, and screen operators. 

The salary range for this role is between $75k and $90k and will be commensurate with experience. 

This is a full-time role, eligible for the Alliance’s comprehensive benefit package. 

The Times Square Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Interested candidates should send a resume and a cover letter that demonstrates an understanding of the program and highlights the candidate’s qualifications for the role.