General Manager

Job Title:  General Manager

Department: Operations

Reports To: Tatyana Frank

Designation: Exempt / Full Time

Salary: $100,000 - $130,000

FIAF is a private, American 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in the state of New York FIAF is committed to providing our audience and students with engaging French language classes and audacious multi-disciplinary programming that celebrates the diversity of francophone cultures and creativity around the world.

We are a welcoming and inclusive community for all ages and all backgrounds, where people can meet, learn, and explore the richness of our heritage and share discoveries.

We strive to amplify voices and build bridges from the entire francophone world to New York and beyond. The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) is the leading French language and cultural center in the U.S. Since 1898, FIAF has been dedicated to creating and offering New Yorkers innovative and unique programs in education and the arts, all exploring the evolving diversity and richness of French cultures. Focused on promoting French language and culture, FIAF offers a wide range of cultural programming, language courses, and social events designed to foster Franco-American cultural exchange and understanding.

FIAF curates and presents diverse, multidisciplinary programming including dance, theater, performance festivals, film screenings, visual art exhibitions, and artist and author talks. 

The FIAF Language Center is the largest language school dedicated to teaching the French language in the tri-state area. With more than 6,000 registrations annually, we offer French in two convenient locations: Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and Montclair, NJ.

In conjunction with its adult French language learning program, FIAF offers French language learning programs for toddlers (ages 1-4), kids (5-10) and teens (11-17) from beginner to advanced levels, including French for native speakers.

In addition to cultural and educational programming, FIAF has a robust rental program.  With three exceptional and versatile event spaces, FIAF hosts rental events annually, including performances and film screenings, movie shoots, fundraisers, conferences and business meetings, and private parties. 

FIAF’s Manhattan location has the Florence Gould Hall Theater, a classic jewel-box theater which has state-of-the-art sound and projection equipment and a seating capacity of 361; the multi-purpose Tinker Auditorium, a flexible and modular space which can accommodate events for 110-300 people; and Le Skyroom, a flexible space on the top floor of FIAF’s building, which can host small to medium gatherings with 100-225 people.

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Position Overview:

FIAF is seeking a dynamic and experienced theater and venue professional to serve as General Manager (GM). The GM is a key member of the senior management team, reports directly to the President, and their work is executed in close partnership with the Cultural Programming, Development, and administrative departments. 

The GM will develop operational systems and build an internal culture that will support the mission and strategic goals of FIAF.   They will manage workflows and collaboration across multiple departments and will oversee production, rental events, and operational teams.  This role requires a strategic thinker and strong leader with a passion for French culture, who can ensure that our operations, venue management, and cultural programming run smoothly, efficiently, and at the highest production quality.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and implement systems, policies, and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness across all operational areas. 
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of FIAF, ensuring successful planning and execution of cultural programs and events, visitor services operations, and facilities maintenance. 
• Review, analyze, and evaluate event execution and operational procedures according to organizational objectives and apply improvements.
• Perform high-level negotiations and contract vendors, clients, crew, and cultural programming partners.
• Forecast financials to ensure business objectives and event revenue goals.
• Lead, manage, and develop the production, operations, box office, and rental teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• In partnership with the senior leadership team, develop FIAF’s annual schedule of cultural programming and events; oversee and maintain the institutional calendar. 
• Collaborate with other departments to support FIAF’s overall strategic goals and initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and organizational policies and procedures.

Production: 

• Lead technical staff, including production managers, technicians, and projectionists, ensuring seamless, collaborative, and high-level execution of cultural programs and events at FIAF.  
• Collaborate closely with the cultural program team to present a wide range of artistic programming including theatrical productions and film festivals.
• Liaise with artists and creative team members, including designers and directors, to service the needs of productions.  
• Collaborate closely with the development team to service the needs of institutional events at FIAF, including donor and cultivation engagements.
• Develop, manage, and track production and operational budgets, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation.

BoxOffice

• Collaborate with Programming’s Director of Cultural Affairs and VP of Marketing and Communications regarding all box office events and ticket sales.

Rentals: 

• Develop and oversee the rental program, setting strategic and earned revenue goals and optimizing space use for events.
• Coordinate and lead relationship management between FIAF and rental clients; act as the primary liaison on all matters related to rental sales and agreements and provide exemplary service on all matters. 
• Supervise event managers, ensuring client satisfaction and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with marketing colleagues to promote venue spaces and rentals.

Visitor Services: 

• In partnership with the senior leadership team, develop FIAF’s visitor services ethos and standards.
• Oversee front-of-house teams, ensuring efficient service and a welcoming environment for guests, patrons, and clients. 
• Establish policies and procedures that cultivate a customer service culture committed to equality and access.

BuildingOperations

Facilities: 

• Oversee the maintenance team, including janitorial, engineering, and utility/HVAC, to maintain facility standards and address any operational challenges promptly.
• Ensure that maintenance work is scheduled in coordination with FIAF’s program and rental calendar.
• Develop short and long-term plans for the upkeep and improvement of FIAF’s facilities. 
• Initiate and manage capital projects to address required issues in a timely, effective, and cost-efficient manner.
• Contract and manage relationships with external vendors. 

Safety and Security: 

• Work in tandem with the Superintendent on all ongoing aspects of building and workspace security.
• Oversee the periodic review of FIAF’s policies and procedures for fire, health safety, disability access, and emergency evacuation; ensure that they comply with applicable regulatory codes/standards, alongside the Superintendent.
• Ensure that all necessary permitting for the facilities are obtained and up to date

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to manage and motivate a diverse team.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills, with the ability to work effectively with all levels of staff and external partners.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills and a strong drive to establish new systems and to evaluate and improve existing processes. 
• Technical knowledge and deep experience in production, including productions and presentations.
• Understanding of technical aspects involved in box office/ticket services.
• Extensive experience with contract management. 
• 5 to 7 years of experience in general management and/or operations management, preferably within a theater, cultural, non-profit, or events management organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Arts Administration, Operations Management, or a related field. 
• Knowledge and appreciation of French culture and the mission of FIAF. Business-oriented mind and strategic thinker.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and salary expectations to poleas@fiaf.org with"General Manager" in the subject line.

FIAF is an equal employment opportunityemployer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, marital status, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, citizenship status protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.