Supervisor of Keyboard Maintenance
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Full-time
Maintenance
Posted on August 5, 2023
Department:Music Administration
Salary/Grade:NEX/18
Job Summary:
Under general supervision, serves as head piano technician and supervisor for the Bienen School of Music's keyboard maintenance team with primary responsibility for planning, financial, technical and operational functions of the keyboard maintenance office. This office has oversight of more than 250 pianos, harpsichords and pipe organs in support of school's academic and performance activities. In collaboration with the second full-time piano technician, coordinates and advises on purchases, maintenance, repair, tuning, rebuilding and location/relocation of instruments to meet school needs, as well as the selection, coordination and evaluation of contract technicians and specialized vendors. Also responsible for oversight of office budgetary resources and preparation of inventories and other special planning documents for the Bienen School.
Please note: Availability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings, weekends and holidays in addition of regular business hours. Physical strength, dexterity, agility and stamina necessary to accomplish the duties of the position.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Serves as head piano technician and supervisor for the Bienen School of Music's keyboard maintenance team. Oversees the general management of the Keyboard Maintenance staff members, contracted piano technicians, and interns and office operations. This includes supervision, selection, training, goal-setting, scheduling, and evaluation, and formulating guidelines and procedures for Keyboard Maintenance office in adherence with Bienen School and University policies and guidelines. Maintains standards of frequency and level of service for all keyboard instruments, quality assurance, and communication between Keyboard Maintenance office and faculty, staff and a diverse population of instrument users.
- Performs the highest level of tuning, maintenance, and concert preparation for pianos and harpsichords used for public performance and to meet the academic needs of the Bienen School. This includes regular and specialized maintenance and repairs.
- Performs the highest level of rebuilding work, including refurbishing or replacement of Soundboards, Bridges, Pin Blocks, Strings, Dampers, Actions, Keyboards and Pedal systems.
- Plans for the acquisition, refinishing, rebuilding, replacement, and disposition of keyboard inventory, including the coordination of moving, placement, and allocation of instruments within the facilities and performance venues, in consultation with Bienen School administration, faculty and staff as needed. In consultation with Associate Dean, develops goals and long-range plans for Keyboard Maintenance office operations and staff.
- Manages system of data collection and analysis for the Bienen School's keyboard inventory, including location, condition, value and maintenance and service history.
- Manages Keyboard Maintenance annual budget, including planning and managing resources and expenditures to meet the needs and goals established.
- Organizes and manages special projects as developed or assigned.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Certificate/diploma in Piano Technology or equivalent experience.
- Ten years of experience in piano voicing, regulation, tuning and repair required.
- Three years of supervisory and management experience, preferably in a demanding academic setting.
- Extensive experience in preparing pianos and harpsichords for concerts and recordings, including working with concert artists of international stature. Must have a thorough understanding of piano technology concepts and methods. Highly developed skills in complete rebuilding and re-manufacture of modern grand pianos.
- Experience developing proposals and presentations; able to collaborate and recommend options
- Strong interpersonal skills as well as the ability to relate sensitively to internal and external colleagues and constituents.
- Experience providing direction and working cooperatively with others to plan and achieve strategic goals. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal forms.
- Ability to delegate work assignments, set expectation and monitor assigned activities to achieve timely results.
- Ability to maintain positive and productive working relationships with co-workers, employees, students, administration, faculty, artists, vendors and University departments.
- Operational knowledge of specialized piano repair tools, small power tools and equipment such as a drill press, table saw and band saw.
- Availability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings, weekends and holidays in addition of regular business hours.
- Physical strength, dexterity, agility and stamina necessary to accomplish the duties of the position.
- Certificate/diploma in Piano Technology or equivalent experience
- Minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in piano voicing, regulation, tuning and repair required.
- Adaptability – Works effectively in an environment in which the parameters may change daily; adjusts behavior to meet the needs of different people and situations.
- Business Acumen – Possesses business savvy and demonstrates the ability to foster and lead cost-efficient initiatives without sacrificing quality or core values.
- Collaboration – Facilitates open and effective communication, cooperation and teamwork within and outside of one's own team; respects the needs and contributions of others.
- Collegiality - Being helpful, respectful, approachable and team oriented building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
- Communication – Communicates effectively one-to-one, in small groups and in public speaking contexts; writes precise, well-organized emails, letters and proposals while using appropriate vocabulary and grammar.
- Compliance - Honoring University policies and regulatory requirements.
- Computer Proficiency - Successfully uses multiple software programs independently. Software may include Microsoft Office, applications such as PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Access, email, web browsers, and PeopleSoft.
- Conceptual Ability - Deals effectively, not just with concrete tangible issues, but also abstract conceptual matters.
- Efficiency/Dependability – Effectively performs duties and responsibilities; displays attention to detail; supports organizational policies; anticipates demands/pressures of assignments and adjusts accordingly.
- Judgment – Demonstrates logic, rationality and objectivity; shows common sense; uses all available information to make educated decisions.
- Listening - Actively listens to others' opinions and ideas; respects and seeks to understand differences in opinions.
- Meets Deadlines - Displays consistency and success in adhering to deadlines.
- Multi-Tasking - Demonstrates ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
- Organization - Plans, organizes and schedules in an efficient, productive manner; anticipates contingencies and pays attention to detail; targets projects or initiatives that require special attention and focuses on key tasks when faced with limited time and/or resources.
- Member of the Piano Technicians Guild with Registered Piano Technician status.
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us athttps://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.htmlto learn more.
Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us athttps://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.htmlto learn more.Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us athttps://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.htmltolearn more.
Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.
The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
#LI-EN1