RECRUITMENT PROFILE MANAGING DIRECTOR – WOODSTOCK OPERA HOUSE
The City of Woodstock, Illinois is a true Midwestern city where community and quality of life are values revealed in every street and sidewalk. Beginning in the center of its historic Square and moving out to its farm-cushioned edge, Woodstock is truly unique, a place its citizens are proud to call home.
This Recruitment Profile provides background information on the Community and City of Woodstock municipal operations, and outlines factors of qualification and experience identified as necessary and desirable for Candidates for the Managing Director position. Importantly, this Profile will be used as a guide in the recruitment process, providing specific criteria by which applications will be screened and individuals selected for final interview and employment consideration.
All inquiries, but not candidate submissions, relating to the recruitment and selection process are to be directed to the attention of: Deborah Schober, MS, SPHR Human Resources Director City of Woodstock 121 W. Calhoun Street Woodstock, Illinois 60098
Email: [email protected] Phone: (815) 338-1172
COMMUNITY BACKGROUND
History Industrial activity generally declined in Woodstock is located in McHenry County, Woodstock after World War II. Yet, with reliable Illinois, 55 miles northwest of Chicago. Originally rail commuter transportation, the area became a the town was called Centerville to attract the destination for new residents fleeing Chicago's seat of McHenry County government in 1842. congestion. Residential construction boomed The Centerville site was chosen when after the 1960s, bringing with it both economic Alvin Judd donated a two-acre public square for prosperity and a lamented loss of a rural county offices. The square became the hub of a atmosphere. The revitalization of Woodstock's city plat recorded in 1844. In 1845, the name square, prominent in the 1993 movie Groundhog was changed from Centerville to Woodstock, Day, displayed this growing prosperity. named after the Vermont birthplace of an early Population grew from 14,353 in 1990, 24,770 in settler, Joel Johnson. 2010, to 25,528 by 2016 (Special Census).
Woodstock Today As the City motto states, Woodstock is “True to its past and confident of its future.” Woodstock is the centerpiece of the region’s visual and performing arts community. In the downtown square, there are more than 500 performances at the Woodstock Opera House. The Park in the Square hosts the Woodstock City Band, a tradition of over 125 years, as well as the Farmers’ Market open for business every weekend during the summer. Square restaurants offer outdoor dining during the
summer and cozy indoor fares in fall and winter. Woodstock was incorporated as a city in 1852 and received city status in 1873. The imposing Greek revival-style courthouse, now owned by the City, stands next to the square, was built in 1857, and now houses the Old Court House Arts Center, Public House Restaurant and other businesses.
In 1855 the Chicago and North Western Railroad passed through Woodstock. Farmers could then send their dairy products quickly to Chicago. The Borden Company opened a dairy processing plant, one of the world's largest.
Woodstock was home to two typewriter Woodstock consistently demonstrates its factories, Emerson Typewriter Company and commitment to quality education. Community Oliver Typewriter. By 1922, about half of the Unit School District 200 offers two high schools, world's typewriters were made in Woodstock. the newest of which graduated its first class of seniors in 2011. The district also offers two In 1887 a jail was built on the square. In 1890 a middle schools, six elementary schools, the combined city hall, library, firehouse and theater Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center and Clay (opera house) was built on the square. The Academy. Additionally, Woodstock is home to historic opera house, owned and operated by St. Mary Catholic School and Marian Central the City, has been in continual operation since Catholic High School. The community supports that time and today features plays, concerts and a state-of-the-art public library, complete with other entertainment. Such notable actors as children’s center, reading room, internet access Orson Welles, Paul Newman, Tom Bosley, and community room. Just a few short miles Betsy Palmer, Geraldine Page, Shelley Berman, from McHenry County College, Woodstock and Lois Nettleton began their theatrical careers offers easy access to traditional college courses, on the Opera House Stage. as well as numerous adult education classes.
The City is also home to the Challenger The City currently employs 131 full-time, 16 part- Learning Center. Dedicated as a memorial to the time and 223 limited part time and seasonal crew of the ill-fated Challenger space flight, the employees. The departments of the City are the Center provides science exploration and team Office of the City Manager, Building and Zoning, building programs for youth and adults alike. Economic Development, Finance, Information The site also hosts the Woodstock Center of Technology, Human Resources, Library, Opera nationally known Aurora University, now offering House, Police, Public Works, and Recreation. an M.B.A. in Leadership and an M.S. in Nursing. WOODSTOCK OPERA HOUSE With nearly 550 acres of parkland and many more acres of open space, Woodstock demonstrates a strong commitment to maintaining its individual character and identity within a larger growing region. Through partnerships with the McHenry County Conservation District, The Land Conservancy and the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, the City actively works to conserve and preserve precious natural resources. And for those interested in sports and recreation, the City offers the Woodstock Water Works aquatic center; the Woodstock Recreation Center, with a full range of health and fitness equipment and programs; a 2.5 mile walking/running path in Emricson Park; and numerous soccer fields and Situated on the downtown Historic Square in the ball diamonds throughout the City for both heart of the community, the Woodstock Opera leagues and families to enjoy. House is one of the oldest continuously operating theatres in the country and one of the CITY GOVERNMENT most recognized historic theatres in the Midwest. The Opera House hosts and provides The City is governed by a Mayor and six City support for a wide variety of events on its Main Council members. All are elected at-large on a Stage as well as in the Stage Left Café, non-partisan basis for staggered four-year Woodstock Park in the Square and surrounding terms. The City of Woodstock operates under community. Registered as a National Historic the statutory Council-Manager form of Landmark, the Opera House is dedicated to the government. In addition the City has a number production, promotion and support of performing of involved advisory Boards and Commissions. arts and civic events as a service to the community, the people of McHenry County and northern Illinois.
CITY ADMINISTRATION
The City employs a Professional City Manager, appointed by the City Council. Roscoe Stelford, City Manager, is the Chief Administrative Officer and is solely responsible for the selection of all Department Directors, including the Managing Director of the Opera House and the contracted City Attorney. WOODSTOCK OPERA HOUSE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
FY17/18 Departmental Budget of $742,500.; FY17/18 City Budget of $32.0 million Department staff of 5 FT positions, 1 PT position and 20 LPT positions. Produced, administered and/or provided technical support to 608 events in the 2017 calendar year. CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIIONS Assisted Public Works with the design of the City Park lighting upgrade and The current Managing Director, John Scharres, sound system improvements. will retire as of March 31, 2018 after nearly 41 Produced eight City Band concerts in years of dedicated service to the City and the the Park in the Square Bandstand in Opera House. June and July with an additional four concerts by various artists in August – The ideal Candidate for the Managing Director a total of 12 consecutive Wednesdays. position will combine education, experience and th In 2018 the City Band will enter its 134 a proven record of success in performing arts season. facility management. Displayed ten art exhibits by local and regional artists in the Opera House The following factors of education, experience, Community Room. expertise, leadership and management style Assisted with the ongoing efforts of the have been identified as ideal attributes for the Friends of the Opera House to fulfill their Managing Director of the Opera House to mission in support of the Woodstock possess in order to function effectively in the Opera House. position. Worked with City Hall to enhance the Lighting of the Square event with Education and Experience additional sound reinforcement and lighting effects. Bachelor’s degree in Arts Management, Theatre Purchased and implemented a new or related subject (Master’s degree preferred). software solution to assist in managing/scheduling ushers and other Ten (10) years progressively responsible volunteers. performing arts facility management experience with proficiency in two or more performing arts VISION AND MISSION specialties such as lighting design, directing, acting, makeup, scenic design, music, dance, The City of Woodstock is a community that opera. respects and values quality neighborhoods and complementary commercial sectors enhanced A valid motor vehicle operator’s license is by its surrounding natural environment. The required along with the ability to be certified in mission of the City government is to provide high CPR/AED, basic first aid and capable of quality municipal services in a cost-effective qualifying for an Illinois Liquor License. manner. The City Council, through its policies, programs and actions, seeks to plan, encourage The City will consider any combination of and maintain high quality neighborhoods education and experience that provides complemented by a vibrant downtown and equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. strong commercial sector within a balanced use of land and transportation resources. The City is Expertise committed to protecting and preserving its environmentally sensitive lands and green Demonstrated experience with performing arts spaces as it faces the development of open facility management. land. Ability to schedule and book a variety of cultural and performing arts events to optimize facility use and meet community cultural arts demands.
Ability to develop and implement facility operating procedures.
Ability to participate in recruitment and selection, train and supervise employees; assign tasks and projects; evaluate employee work performance.
Ability to coordinate work of department staff.
Ability to recruit and supervise volunteers performing a wide variety of tasks such as producing, staging and performing theatrical Leadership and Management Style presentations and events; conducting fundraising; and working on historical Experience and ability to oversee our Opera restoration/preservation. House team of 26-30 (full, part-time and limited part-time) employees, delegate tasks, set Demonstrated experience to act as a public priorities, and hold staff accountable for relations representative on behalf of the Opera achieving both Opera House and City goals and House through the creation of multi-media objectives. presentations and public speaking engagements. Be a strong leader to complement the City’s current team of Department Directors. Ability to create, manage and/or participate in special cultural and civic projects and Be an excellent communicator, a “people assignments to promote community quality of person” who will listen to others, including life. residents, employees, businesses, etc. and discuss Opera House matters with them Demonstrated experience in coordinating and respectfully and openly. supervising renovation/restoration projects for additional city properties and landmarks. Lead and motivate by example, with complete integrity, demonstrating an inherent sense of Availability to represent the Opera House and professional and personal ethics. the City as a member of the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Opera House fundraising organization.
Demonstrated experience in conducting research and analysis of data, information, economic factors and/or reports to prepare recommendations in relation to a wide variety of technical, complex, and/or controversial issues. Experience in preparing reports for review by City Manager.
Ability to develop budgets and capital improvement plans.
Solid technology skills, including MS Office suite of products proficiency.
PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The following, or similar, text has been released for insertion in appropriate professional publications and internet sites:
MANAGING DIRECTOR, WOODSTOCK OPERA HOUSE Woodstock, Illinois
Woodstock, an established, charming historic community of 25,528, located 55 miles northwest of Chicago on Metra rail, seeks an experienced professional to serve as our next RECRUITMENT PROCESS Managing Director at the Woodstock Opera House. The position serves as the administrative The City anticipates a multipart recruitment head of the Woodstock Opera House. The process that shall serve to progressively define position manages Opera House operations candidates whom the City wishes to consider including daily operations, site preservation and further for our Managing Director position. restoration; and planning and scheduling regional performing arts events and community Please note that not all candidates will be asked special events. Future responsibilities may to participate in each of these processes if the include programming for the Old Courthouse. City does not wish to consider them further. The The work is performed under the direction of the overall recruitment process shall include, but is City Manager. not limited to:
Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Review and consideration of submitted Arts Management, Theatre or related subject job application, cover letter, résumé, (Master’s degree preferred). Ten (10) years three (3) professional references, and progressively responsible performing arts facility management experience with proficiency in two salary history. or more performing arts specialties such as Completion and submission of a written lighting design, directing, acting, makeup, scenic self-assessment inventory providing design, music, dance, opera; or any written answers to 4-5 questions. combination of education and experience that Completion of in-person interviews, provides equivalent knowledge, skills and perhaps at multiple stages of the abilities. A valid motor vehicle operator’s license recruitment process. is required along with the ability to be certified in Completion of in-person individual CPR/AED, basic first aid and capable of qualifying for an Illinois Liquor License. Salary written exercises. for this position will most likely fall between the Complete background and reference minimum of $74,505.60 and midpoint of check with possible further assessment. $95,118.40 for the position’s pay grade range commensurate with experience. Additionally, an WOODSTOCK OPERA HOUSE excellent benefits package is provided. ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
A position profile and required application materials may be obtained and downloaded from the City of Woodstock website: www.woodstockil.gov under Employment Opportunities.
Those interested and qualified, should apply electronically at once, in confidence, with a completed job application, cover letter, résumé, three (3) professional references, and salary history to: [email protected].
Application materials will be accepted until February 9, 2018.
The City of Woodstock is an Equal Opportunity Employer and reserves the right to select only the most qualified applicants for an interview.