Position: IT Manager

Location: Glencoe, IL (hybrid in person/remote)

Department: Administration

Classification: Full time; benefits eligible

Hours: Mon-Fri, 9:30-5:30; some evenings and weekends required

Salary: Starting at $57,000

WT Summary

Writers Theatre (WT) is a nationally recognized, award-winning theatre company located on the North Shore of Chicago with a pre-pandemic annual operating budget of $5.7 Million. Known for the consistent high quality and intimacy of its productions, WT is focused on the power of the written word and dedicated to the artists who bring that word to life. Having captivated audiences for years with its commitment to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible, the theatre is now a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called “America’s finest regional theater company” by The Wall Street Journal. Under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Artistic Director Braden Abraham, the company is charting a path forward for its future.

Job Summary

The IT Manager is responsible for providing technology support to the company, as well as managing WT’s audience and donor primary database (Tessitura), and maintaining and implementing best practices to ensure reliable data for the entire organization. Supervisor: General Manager (primary), working closely with the Director of Marketing, the Director of Advancement and Director of Production.

Primary Duties

General Technology Support

Serve as the primary on-site resource for employee technology issues; deliver basic troubleshooting for issues, and escalate issues to Naka Technologies (workstations, firewall/routers, servers), Microsoft (Office 365), ISBS (copiers), and Pitney Bowes (postage meter) as appropriate to solve problems.

General database and technology management

Design and deploy functional networks (LAN, WLAN, WAN).

Manage, Configure, and support all operating systems and firewall/router/switch revisions/upgrades/implementations.

Monitor network performance and integrity.

Create, oversee and test security measures (e.g. access authentication and disaster recovery).

Manage user accounts and maintain network security via the tools provided.

Maintain Single Sign-in, 2-factor authentication, and email filter environments.

Resolve Help Desk issues requiring hands-on support.

Maintain complete technical documentation.

Suggest improvements to network performance, capacity and scalability.

Serve as the contact for hardware and services vendors.

Manage equipment inventory.

Maintain Mobile Device Management (MDM) connections for Microsoft Intune and Jamf Pro Business as well as design and implement policies and configurations.

Keep current with emerging technologies and provide suggestions regarding products that may be beneficial to WT.

In collaboration with the General Manager, IT partners, and Director of Production, create an ongoing technology plan for maintaining, upgrading, and replacing WT’s technology.

Manage the Managed Service Provider (MSP) relationship.

Manage additional projects on an as assigned basis.

CRM/Tessitura Support

The IT Manager will serve as the organization’s Tessitura expert ** (including RMA, T-Stats, TNEW, Patron2 & Donate2). Responsibilities include:

Maintain Tessitura integration and functionality with external software

Update external databases with current Tessitura data (TRG)

Run basic SQL queries and procedures as need to maintain database

Organize and project manage all upgrades, including designing and implementing a testing plan- Tessitura and TNEW

Liaise between Writers and Tessitura for any custom requests (custom reports, SYOS builds, etc.)

Maintain Tessitura security- allowing and restricting access to functionality and patron data as determined by organizational practices.

Creation and maintenance of RAMP and Tessitura assigned users.

Lead the Writers Tessitura User Group to ensure best data practices across departments.

Manage onboarding and continuous training of full-time staff.

Submit support tickets for technical issues

Maintain TNEW purchase paths for ticketing, subscriptions, RSVPs, donations and On-Site classes. Basic HTML required.

Build production season in Tessitura, in conjunction with Assoc. Dir of Audience Services and Data Analyst including the yearly subscription package rollover.

Assist Data Analyst in analysis of sales and giving trends.

Liase with MADE Media on any technology issues regarding the WT website

** For more information about Tessitura, please visit https://www.tessitura.com/about. The ideal candidate will have Tessitura experience, but if needed, introductory support and training will be provided.

Qualifications & Key Competencies

Proficiency with Microsoft 365 Administration, Tessitura CRM and/or other comparable CRM, and financial software preferred. The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, organized, and technologically adept as well as able to plan ahead to ensure deadlines are met in a timely fashion. They will be self-motivated, able to prioritize and will communicate well with staff. Prior experience in the non-profit and/or performing arts sector preferred but not required.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

WT is deeply committed to creating and sustaining an organizational culture that values equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as promoting a safe, supportive, and collaborative work environment conducive to professional and personal growth. A successful candidate will share these values.

WT is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, or veteran status.

Please find more information on our culture and specific policies at the following links:

https://www.writerstheatre.org/working-at-wt

https://www.writerstheatre.org/our-code-of-conduct

https://www.writerstheatre.org/edi-at-wt

Benefits include: medical, dental and disability insurance, vacation and other paid leave, a 403(b)-retirement plan (with employer match) and medical and dependent care cafeteria plans.

Instructions to Apply:

To Apply

Qualified and interested candidates should email a cover letter, resume and any salary requirements to jobs@writerstheatre.org. No phone calls please.

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