MANAGING DIRECTOR: RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Managing Director

The Delaware Theatre Company, founded in 1979, is one of Delaware's premier cultural institutions. In its facility on Wilmington, Delaware’s Christina Riverfront, DTC serves over 38,000 adults and 5,000 students annually through its productions and education programs. DTC’s productions include a mix of the classics as well as contemporary plays, musicals and new works. DTC operates as a LORT D theatre and in 2007-2008 had an operating budget of $2.8 million.

As the State’s only professional regional theatre, DTC is part of a vibrant renaissance in downtown Wilmington and along the City’s riverfront. The theatre is working to leverage its place at the State’s cultural forefront in order to expand its reach and programming in the next five to ten years. The new Managing Director will be at the helm of this progress, working to support an exciting artistic vision, which includes world premieres and a roster of nationally recognized theatre artists. The Managing Director will also lead an energetic development staff and fresh marketing initiatives, and will be engaged with new board leadership. As part of a newly drafted business plan, DTC is undergoing reorganization and working to overcome its recent financial challenges. The Managing Director position represents a shift to a dual-leadership model, and will serve as a partner to DTC Artistic Director, Anne Marie Cammarato.

The Managing Director shares responsibility and fiscal accountability with the Artistic Director and reports directly to the Board in order to achieve the company’s goals. S/he is responsible for all administrative efforts of the theatre. S/he works with the Artistic Director and the artistic staff in accomplishing the company’s educational and artistic activities.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee financial affairs, including budget preparation and monitoring, to achieve overall financial strength and to meet revenue and expense goals. Work with board of directors to retire debt and achieve long-term financial stability.
  • Provide leadership for fundraising and serve as an active solicitor of major donors, foundations, and corporations.
  • Create and implement strategies with the Development Director to achieve contributed income goals.
  • Provide leadership for all marketing and audience services initiatives and strategies, and with Directors of Marketing and Audience Services, develop and implement efforts to increase earned income goals.
  • Lead the administrative staff (finance, marketing, development, audience services departments) effectively.
  • Provide management and oversight for day-to-day operations.
  • Set theatre-wide employment policies for full staff with the Artistic Director
  • Monitor and analyze earned income from all artistic and education programs in collaboration with the Artistic Director.
  • Identify and implement new earned income strategies.
  • Guide strategic planning efforts in collaboration with the Artistic Director and Board.
  • Work closely with Board of Directors and attend all Board and appropriate committee meetings.
  • Forge an effective, collaborative, and positive working relationship with the Artistic Director to accomplish all of the institutional goals of the theatre.
  • Participate in public speaking engagements on behalf of the theatre and serve as representative of DTC within the local and regional business community.
  • Oversee upcoming conversion of development and ticketing software to Tessitura Software (beginning spring 2009.) With Director of Finance, assess and implement changes needed to financial software in conjunction with this conversion.
  • Represent DTC at local, regional and national industry conventions and service organization gatherings. (TCG, TAGP, GPCA, ArtCo, AFDF, etc.)

Qualifications

  • Prior performing arts or non-profit leadership and management experience; preference given to applicants who have worked within professional theatre.
  • Proven success in non-profit fiscal management with the skills needed to promote and protect the financial well being of the company.
  • Demonstrated ability to meet challenging earned and contributed income goals. Proven track record of working effectively with a non-profit Board of Directors.
  • Proven success in recruiting, hiring and supervising a management team.
  • Proven success in leading creative fundraising and other traditional and innovative income generating strategies.
  • Proven success in leading marketing initiatives, including branding campaigns.
  • Strong social and communication skills with the ability to represent the DTC in a variety of community, social and business contexts.
  • Commitment to become a part of the Wilmington, Delaware community and region.
  • Relevant graduate degree preferred.
The position of Managing Director begins July 1, 2008. Salary and benefits are competitive. Candidate applications are being considered now through May 5, 2008. No phone calls please. Please direct all inquiries and submit all documentation including resume and three current references via .