Job Description

Global Arts Live , located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a vibrant nonprofit arts presenter dedicated to celebrating the worlds music, dance, and performance traditions. Since its founding in 1990, the organization has been, and will continue to be, a cultural anchor in the Greater Boston area, currently presenting more than 60 performances annually in venues ranging from intimate 250-seat clubs to major theaters seating up to 3,500, primarily in Boston, Somerville, and Cambridge. Known for its adventurous spirit and deep commitment to cultural exchange, Global Arts Live connects local audiences with renowned and emerging artists from more than 70 countries. The organizations programs engage audiences with performances that span traditions, genres, and geographies, and each season brings a rich mix of global artistry to audiences from the New England region.

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Connie Chin, who joined in 2021, and Founder & Director of Artistic Programs Maure Aronson, Global Arts Live is undertaking a strategic leap forward and unprecedented organizational growth by launching 585 Arts, a new performing arts center in Cambridges Kendall Square. The custom-built center features a 400-seat state-of-the-art proscenium theater designed for dance, music, and other genres; a 125-seat cabaret stage; a rehearsal studio; and a ground floor commons that will offer an urban living room to the public. The venue will receive its temporary certificate of occupancy in January 2026, its full certificate of occupancy in April 2026, and its grand opening on September 19, 2026. 585 Arts offers meaningful opportunities to deepen the organizations commitment to community engagement, including collaborations with neighborhood organizations, cultural groups, and civic partners.

Strategic priorities include strengthening local partnerships, expanding educational and audience development efforts, and building sustainable earned revenue modelsall while staying true to its core mission of presenting transformative global performances. As it looks toward the future, Global Arts Live continues to champion global performances. With a proud legacy, clear curatorial vision, and deeply engaged local audience, the organization is a vital force in the cultural life of Greater Boston and New Englandbridging continents, building community, and bringing the world to local stages.

Global Arts Live is governed by a 13-member board of directors chaired by biotech entrepreneur Nagesh Mahanthappa. The Global Arts Live and 585 Arts combined leadership team will be comprised of the CEO, Founder and Director of Artistic Programs, 585 Arts General Manager, and directors of Advancement, Marketing, and Finance (whose departments provide services to both Global Arts Live and 585 Arts). Currently, a dedicated full-time staff of 13 is supplemented by part-time and temporary staff, as well as independent contractors who support construction, production, marketing, development, legal, HR, and special initiatives. Staff dedicated primarily to 585 Arts will add approximately 17 full-time positions. Together, this expanded team will ensure that Global Arts Live and 585 Arts remain high-impact organizations rooted in creativity, collaboration, and accessibility.

Global Arts Live has an operating budget of $2.8 million for the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2025. Approximately 53% of this comes from earned revenue (ticket sales), 45% contributed revenue, and the remainder from interest and other income. Global Arts Live is conducting a $20 million campaign for 585 Arts launch, initial programming and operations, and sustainability, and has achieved $12 million of this goal. After opening, 585 Arts budget (separate from and additional to Global Arts Lives budget but managed together with it) will be driven by approximately $1.75 million in earned revenue and $900,000 in contributed revenue.

Community

Home to more than 4.8 million people, the Greater Boston area is New Englands economic and cultural hub. The region is the ancestral home of the Massachusett, Pawtucket, Wampanoag, and Nipmuck peoples, among others. Today, Greater Boston is the 11 th largest metropolitan area in the United States with a vibrant post-secondary population of more than 200,000 students and an exciting blend of cultures.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a culturally rich, socially dynamic city of about 118,000 residents located just across the Charles River from the City of Boston. Known globally as home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge is a hub of innovation, higher education, and civic engagement. Its economy is driven by education, research, biotechnology, healthcare, and a thriving startup culture centered in Kendall Square. The population of the City of Cambridge is diverse and globally connectednearly 20% of residents identify as Asian, more than 10% as Black or African American, and approximately 9% as Hispanic or Latino. More than a third of households speak a language other than English at home. A relatively young median age and high educational attainment reflect Cambridges appeal to students, professionals, and families alike. Cambridge is also home to a robust and eclectic arts and culture ecosystem. Theater companies, visual arts institutions, artist-run spaces, and festivals are embedded in neighborhoods throughout the city. Public art, creative placemaking initiatives, and city-supported cultural efforts contribute to a lively and accessible creative environment.

Cambridge's retail and transportation hubsKendall, Central, Harvard, and Porter Squares, as well as Union and Davis Squares in adjacent Somervilleoffer a blend of independent businesses, dining, and cultural venues, all easily reached by public transit. With its combination of historic charm, progressive values, walkable neighborhoods, green spaces, and year-round cultural life, Cambridge offers a uniquely stimulating environment for creative professionals committed to community, access, and impact.

The General Manager, 585 Arts, will oversee the business aspects of a new performing arts center, leading its launch and day-to-day operations. This includes managing earned revenue and expenses, developing its reputation in the community, and nurturing key relationships with partners. As a member of the leadership team for the combined Global Arts Live and 585 Arts organizations, this position will report directly to the CEO and work closely with the Global Arts Live programming, community engagement, development, marketing, and finance teams. This role will supervise a staff of approximately 13 in the production and audience services teams to ensure a welcoming and celebratory environment for all artists, audiences, renters, partners, and staff. The General Manager, 585 Arts, will also work with external partners such as artists, renters, landlord property management, service vendors, the internship organization Brighter Boston, and many other nonprofits and community organizations.

Roles and Responsibilities

585 Arts Launch

Drive the final planning to launch the new performing arts complex, designing robust operation systems, policies, and workflows; coordinating plans with landlord property management to open the venue; managing launch timelines; and tracking milestones.

Ensure venue operations are based on industry best practices and are fully compliant with laws, regulations, and insurance requirements.

Complete the recruitment and hiring of venue personnel, including backstage and front-of-house staff.

Embrace other 585 Arts launch responsibilities as needed.

Rental Business and Financial Administration

Establish and monitor cost recovery models and fee structures that balance mission goals with revenue targets.

Lead rental program communications effort in collaboration with the marketing team to attract rental clients, and conduct outreach with community partners, corporations, and event planners to showcase the venues features and benefits.

Develop and implement systems for scheduling, event coordination, service agreements, production logistics, and vendor management.

Partner with finance staff to budget, manage, and track earned income and expenses.

Embrace other rental business and financial administration responsibilities as needed.

Venue and Operations Management

Supervise the directors of production and audience services, each with their teams, setting clear goals and fostering a collaborative, values-driven culture.

Oversee daily operations and calendar management for performances and events.

Manage building systems, maintenance, repairs, and vendor relationships, including HVAC, security, information technology, deliveries, cleaning, maintenance services, and capital equipment needs.

Liaise with the food & beverage operator, and landlord property and events team, to execute lease and operational agreement responsibilities and coordinate with co-tenants.

Ensure that safety and compliance procedures (e.g. physical work safety rules, Emergency Egress Protocols/mustering) are maintained and clearly communicated across staff, putting training in place where appropriate.

Embrace other venue and operations management responsibilities as needed.

Create exceptional experiences and address any venue-centered concerns for artists, renters, audiences, visitors, interns, and staff through a focus on outstanding customer service, helping to position the venue as a premier destination and workplace.

Imbue in all operations, in collaboration with others, an orientation to accessibility with a human-centered approach that will be welcoming and high-functionin]]> <

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