Managing Artistic Director

Position Summary

The Managing Artistic Director will serve as the visionary leader of Market House Theatre, reporting directly to the Board of Directors. Overseeing a dedicated team that includes the technical director, box office manager, theatre and dance education directors, bookkeeper, development director, and guest directors. The Managing Artistic Director will guide both artistic and strategic endeavors. In collaboration with staff and the Board, they will spearhead efforts to update the organization’s long-term strategic plan, advance DEI and advocacy initiatives, and drive critical fundraising efforts to ensure Market House Theatre’s continued success and growth.

Roles and Responsibilities

Managing and Artistic Leadership

• Oversee all productions and directors, designers, performers, crews, and volunteers.
• Direct a minimum of two signature and one studio production each year.
• Negotiate and contract with publishing companies for royalties and script rights for all shows.
• Update and monitor a long term strategic plan, DEI and advocacy plan, develop policies and procedures for the sound operation of the theatre along with the board, and attend all meetings as an ex-officio member of all committees.
• Working with the staff, create budgets and work plans for the theatre to accomplish its financial objectives.
• Approve all marketing and public relations for institutional branding, season ticket campaigns, individual shows and events (billboards, newspapers, magazines, radio, etc....), newsletters, and play program layout with staff Marketing Director.
• Conduct employee hiring, supervision, and termination, if needed, with additional hiring, supervision, and termination of contractual employees and volunteers during the year on a show-by-show basis, including guest actors, guest directors, scenic artists, music directors, guest designers, and musicians.
• Perform other managing and artistic leadership duties as needed.

Fundraising and Organizational Management

• Monitor and oversee financial record keeping for theatre with staff and QuickBooks financial management tools and reports.
• Collaborate with staff development director on annual fundraising campaign & donor relations, including soliciting, sponsorships, program advertising, grants, fundraising events, and director’s notes.
• Engage with the staff facilities manager to approve maintenance work plans, equipment repair and maintenance.
• Coordinate with event/rental manager to manage rental policies and procedures, and the use of spaces for guest artists (apartments, studio theatre, classrooms, Studio 200, main theatre).
• Supervise box office manager on individual ticketing through the box office, season ticketing, credit card acceptance and contractual agreements, database management, and online ticketing systems.
• Perform other fundraising and organizational management duties as needed.

Education and Community Engagement

• Oversee the educational programming of Theatre and Dance in coordination with the education coordinator/director and Dance MHT director.
• Select or approve youth production titles for youth season and all summer camp workshop shows.
• Support the education team in the design of education workshop shows.
• Hire guest directors or secure qualified volunteer directors for all youth series, studios, educational workshops, and other shows as needed. Qualified directors have professionally directed or have directed multiple shows for other theatres of similar size and quality as MHT.
• Provide oversight of Theatre in School productions — fully or partially produced shows at elementary and middle schools that MHT provides directors/sets/costumes to balance out in house productions and staff workload.
• Plan street fair in conjunction with education director/coordinator and marketing director.
• Perform other education and community engagement duties as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

Visionary, creative, and collaborative, the Managing Artistic Director will be deeply engaged with the community, as well as the staff and artists working with Market House Theatre, while guiding the theatre into its next chapter as a community arts organization.

Other key competencies include the following:

• Time and Priority Management & Project Management – The capacity to oversee all resources, tasks, systems, and people.
• Personal Accountability – The sensibility to take accountability for decisions, grow from mistakes, and possess a high degree of awareness of the impact of personal actions and decisions.
• Teamwork & Employee Development/Coaching – The ability to develop, mentor, and motivate others while creating a sense of order, direction, and active participation among the internal and external stakeholders to achieve collective goals.
• Leadership and Customer Focus – The acumen to organize and influence people to believe in a vision, and create a sense of purpose and direction, including patrons and community members.

Qualifications

The qualified Managing Artistic Director will have a bachelor’s degree in theatre, arts administration, business, or significant relevant professional experience with strong financial acumen. Experience is preferred in the arts and culture or nonprofit sector or in fields directly related to arts/theatre facility administration. Leadership in strategic initiatives, artistic programming and visioning, fundraising, community engagement, financial and human relations management, and board governance are ideal. The Managing Artistic Director should bring knowledge of nonprofit governance, including boards of directors or trustees. Experience in coordination, contract negotiation, and community engagement, as well as planning, organization, and decision-making are needed. The Managing Artistic Director will serve as a mentor for staff and will have experience with professional development initiatives and employee evaluations. Candidates who do not meet all the qualifications but possess transferable or equivalent skills, experience, or education, are encouraged to apply and highlight those areas.