Managing Director

Managing Director
Position Profile

About the Opportunity

Write the Next Chapter at New York Theatre Workshop

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW), a community of artists and audience members seeking to better understand the world through theatre, stands as an inspiring pillar in the New York City, national, and international theatre ecosystem. After a tremendous period of growth and achievement—having fostered the careers of ground-breaking artists, installed a visionary new Artistic Director, and mounted numerous Tony and Obie award winning productions—NYTW continues to be a powerful leader in the creation and production of theatre for artists and audiences alike. From the acclaimed Broadway and West End-bound productions such as Hadestown, Merrily We Roll Along, and the iconic Rent, to the intimate and boundary-pushing pieces, such as On Sugarland and Here There Are Blueberries, under Artistic Director Patricia McGregor’s leadership, NYTW’s commitment to rigor, risk, and a range of theatrical styles and artists remains paramount. NYTW audiences engage in dialogue and active learning not just through its productions, but through a varied set of educational and community engagement programs designed to deepen the impact of NYTW’s artistic work on intergenerational audiences and participants. This special combination of thrilling productions, artistic development work, and a firm commitment to learning elevates NYTW in the field and will be amplified further in its next chapter.

In 2024, NYTW has an annual budget of approximately $10 million, a 50-person staff, a 25-person Board, and a yearly audience of over 35,000. Two years ago, NYTW welcomed Patricia McGregor as the Workshop’s first new Artistic Director in 34 years. NYTW now seeks its next Managing Director to work in partnership with the Artistic Director to activate the vision for the Workshop’s exciting next chapter. Together, with a committed Board of Trustees and talented staff, the Artistic and Managing Director will envision possibilities, build the relationships that will fuel them, and implement long-term solutions responsive to this critical moment for the field that calls for innovation and reinvention. They will have the chance to build a fresh co-leadership model that reflects their own unique strengths and is responsive to this urgent and emergent time in the theatre’s history.

Meeting This Moment at New York Theatre Workshop

What you will do

Face the challenges of this moment with optimism, courage, and innovative thinking.
There is no denying that not-for-profit cultural organizations have widely found themselves in challenging financial times, striving to rebuild audiences and generate additional revenue, while also living their values and making theatrical work matter to more people. NYTW is experiencing many of the same financial challenges and the new Managing Director will need to be fearless in the face of NYTW’s own specific challenges and will have a tenacious ability to listen to the NYTW community to learn, partner with NYTW’s Artistic Director on developing new responses and strategies, and move the organization toward collaborative solutions that utilize all of NYTW’s many assets and achieve a balance of financial sustainability and artistic vitality.

Turn ideas into action.
The Artistic Director, staff, and Trustees of NYTW seek a strong project manager, creative thinker, and strategist. Over the past year, NYTW has begun the process of articulating a new Strategic Plan. That work will resume with a new Managing Director in place to realize, along with Patricia, the Board, and the staff, how to achieve strategic goals and bring this plan to life. In the coming years, NYTW will also take on the reinvention of programs, a changing audience and donor base, and much needed facility upgrades. This leader will need to take a wide-angle view on the organization’s needs, prioritize certain actions, and understand how undertakings can be implemented, how they will impact different team members, and how to move ideas forward.

Respond to the needs of artists and staff members as a caring manager and producer.
NYTW’s next Managing Director will be a seasoned manager, ready to empower a strong and experienced team. They will be equipped to make sound financial decisions and plan with challenges and financial security in mind. They will be familiar with both not-for-profit and commercial producing agreements and processes and will be adept at navigating relationships with commercial producers to protect the organization in the long term. They will naturally center care and thoughtfulness in their building of relationships with team members and artists–valuing their labor, energy, and contributions to the organization.

Build ongoing relationships that will sustain the organization in a variety of ways.
With a strong community of donors, funding partners, and East Village and Lower East Side neighbors, NYTW needs a Managing Director who is excited to engage all members of the community. They will need to activate Board members, think innovatively about fundraising, collaborate with team members on funding opportunities, and be out in the community, building relationships and soliciting support. They should see the value of being in conversation and partnership with artists, board members, fellow theatre colleagues, neighbors, and supporters.

How we hope you will approach this role

Care for and elevate NYTW’s core values.
The next Managing Director of NYTW will be authentically comfortable with the organization’s stalwart commitment to the values of inspiring deeper understanding, welcoming learning and growth, and celebrating community. Just as importantly, they will be a leader in living those values and furthering the organization’s progress on operating according to the core values on a daily basis.

Relish the wide range of theatrical work developed and produced by NYTW.
NYTW is recognized for the varied blend of theatrical productions and experiments that happen as part of producing seasons or developmental programs. It is this wide range of work that keeps team members and patrons loyal to the organization. The new Managing Director will see this diversity of artists and projects as a true asset and will ensure NYTW’s continued commitment to this range of work.

Believe in theatre as a civic space.
While NYTW is often known for the artists and productions that have flourished in its spaces, the Workshop also commits to remaining a space for civic engagement, an advocate for conversation and connection through art, and a contributor to the local community. The Managing Director will be a champion for continued dialogue and learning through the education and community engagement programs at NYTW. They will also use their role to build relationships with local community leaders, elected officials, funders dedicated to arts education and community engagement programs, and other constituents to ensure NYTW remains a thriving and relevant asset to the community.

Management & Direct Report Structure

The Managing Director reports to the Board President and co-leads the organization with the Artistic Director, and currently has four direct reports and two shared direct reports. The direct reports include the Producer, Director of Development, Director of Internal Operations, and the Director of Marketing. The Chief of Staff and an Executive Assistant are shared with the Artistic Director. The Producer oversees the entire Production Management department, and the Director of Internal Operations oversees Finance, Human Resources, and Facilities. During the search for the new Managing Director, these two individuals have temporarily stepped into the roles of Interim Co-Managing Directors.

The Artistic Director currently has three direct reports: two Associate Artistic Directors, the Director of Education and Community Engagement, and the aforementioned shared Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant. While the reporting lines for all of the department heads are intentional, the organization is very collaborative and values a culture of working across department lines, as is demonstrated by the work of NYTW’s Core Team, a group of staff members who work on aligning organizational practices with values.

Job Description

The Managing Director is responsible for the overall business, administrative, and operational management of the organization. This includes leadership and oversight in the areas of fundraising, budgeting, financial management, HR, board relations, marketing, producing, and hiring of key senior staff. The Managing Director will also oversee any future capital renovations. The Managing Director collaborates with the Artistic Director and the Board to drive long-range planning and articulate strategic goals for the organization.

Duties & Responsibilities

Core Values and Actions:

NYTW’s Core Values Statement serves as a guide for institutional practices and interpersonal relationships. These values include inspiring deeper understanding, welcoming learning and growth, and celebrating community. With this in mind, the Managing Director will:
● Ensure NYTW creates anti-racist spaces and actively combats bigotry and violence
● Foster an environment that prioritizes respectful communication and views conflict as an opportunity for growth
● Embrace and support historically marginalized communities within NYTW’s work, staff, and supporters
● Commit to environmental sustainability
● Address offensive or inappropriate behavior in alignment with NYTW’s values

Organizational Leadership
● With the new Artistic Director’s vision as a launchpad, co-lead the process of activating NYTW’s next chapter
● Collaborate with the Artistic Director, Board, and staff to refine and align NYTW’s mission, core values, and strategic plans
● Set long and short-term goals for the organization and develop methods to monitor and evaluate progress and celebrate achievement
● Ensure the engagement, empowerment, and support of all staff and individuals working for NYTW and foster a work culture that is steeped in NYTW’s core values
● Uplift the work of the Core Team, a delegation of staff members, working to further NYTW’s commitment to deepen Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) practices
● Oversee the hiring and training processes of staff and build professional development into team members’ time to encourage learning and growth
● Assess and periodically update human resource policies, decisions, and practices in collaboration with the Director of Internal Operations to strengthen internal work culture
● Provide shared oversight of ongoing building management and maintenance with the Director of Internal Operations
● Along with the Artistic Director, represent New York Theatre Workshop in the local and national theatre and performing arts community, including interfacing with key government and funding bodies

Board Relations and Coordination
● Maintain strong working relationships with Board leadership, including providing timely, accurate, and transparent communication, and keeping the Board President apprised of all pressing organizational matters
● Work closely with Board leadership and Committee Chairs of the Board to plan meetings, monitor activities, and meet governance requirements; the Committees include Executive; Governance & Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Nominating; Finance; and Audit
● Work in tandem with the Director of Development and the Board’s Nominating Committee on the ongoing identification and cultivation of Board prospects
● Engage, embrace, and educate sitting board members on the organization’s goals and strategies

Revenue Development
● Partner with the Director of Development and Director of Marketing to implement strategies that will increase earned and contributed revenue
● Actively collaborate with the Artistic Director, Board, and development team in securing adequate resources for NYTW, by participating in donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitations, including frequent interactions with donors, institutional funders, and elected officials
● Act as a leader in terms identifying and pursuing income from potential new revenue sources
● Support the creation of new audience development, marketing, and fundraising initiatives and partner with teams to improve long standing projects like the annual gala
● Build caring and authentic relationships with the donor and funder community that has supported NYTW over the years and shown renewed commitment; while at the same time, foster a culture of philanthropy that allows for this community to grow

Financial Management
● Ensure financial stability through prudent fiscal management, measured accountability, and long-term financial planning
● In collaboration with the Producer, monitor progress toward earned revenue goals and expense projections for individual productions and the overall season
● Lead the negotiation process for productions with co-producers or enhancing producers in order to protect NYTW’s best interests and lay the foundation for a successful collaboration
● Prepare and present financial updates for the organization on an ongoing basis to the Finance Committee, the Full Board, and other stakeholders
● Work in tandem with the Director of Internal Operations and other senior members to create annual budgets, identify long-term financial plans and forecasts, and maintain a culture of financial discipline
● Review and modify operations and budgets to reflect changes in financial circumstances and meet regulatory frameworks
● Anticipate and plan for maintenance projects and capital improvements

Community Engagement
● Strengthen connections to the East Village/Lower East Side (EV/LES) communities, educational institutions, community partners, and other relevant organizations
● Act as a strategic partner and advocate in the task of strengthening and sustaining NYTW’s valuable education and community engagement programs
● Enhance NYTW’s presence and impact within the broader cultural and theatrical ecosystem
● Promote NYTW’s commitment to anti-racism, equity, and inclusion in all community interactions

Qualifications
● 10+ years of experience in performing arts or non-profit leadership; search committee is open to considering additional leadership paths as preparation for the role
● Demonstrated leadership capacity with a collaborative and inclusive approach and willingness to be flexible
● An ability to engage and care for staff and board members, particularly as change occurs or as challenging situations arise
● Proven track record in fundraising and financial management
● Comfort with negotiating contracts and/or asking for help from legal counsel when needed
● High emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to handle difficult or sensitive issues, build relationships, and relate well to people across the organization
● Strong written and oral communication skills
● Strong organizational and project management skills
● Experience with strategic planning and organizational development
● Centered, stabilized, and engaged; ready to be a sustaining force for staff, board and artists

A Note from Tom O’Connor Consulting Group:

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you’re returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.

Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role.

Compensation

New York Theatre Workshop offers competitive compensation, with a salary range expected between $190,000-210,000 and a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance; a 403(b)-retirement plan; flexible spending account; health reimbursement account; paid-time-off and holidays. Health benefits commence on the first day of the first full month of employment.

Application Instructions

The search for the Managing Director is being conducted on behalf of New York Theatre Workshop by Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, a New York-based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries. Tom O’Connor and Brenna Thomas are leading the search process, reporting to a search committee made up of members of the New York Theatre Workshop Board of Trustees and Staff.

To apply, visit the online application and submit your materials. Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role, and how your background and experience responds to the desired skills and qualities.

The priority application deadline for this search is September 9, 2024. Applications received by this date will be given priority consideration. While we will still accept and consider applications received after this date, we encourage you to apply as early as possible for the best chance at being considered for the position. Please note that meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview. No phone calls, please.

About New York Theatre Workshop

At New York Theatre Workshop, we work relentlessly to empower visionary theatre‐makers and bring their work to adventurous audiences through productions, artist workshops and education and community engagement programs. Through these interactions, artists and audiences have the chance to deepen our shared understanding of the world around us. We’re proud to be a home base for many of the most significant theatre‐makers of our time, nurturing ground-breaking writers like Nathan Alan Davis and Celine Song alongside powerhouse playwrights like Amy Herzog, Doug Wright, and Ayad Akhtar. From Rachel Chavkin and Lileana Blain‐Cruz to Whitney White and Rubén Polendo, we empower inimitable auteur‐directors and give invaluable support to tremendous talents in the earliest days of their careers. We’ve maintained decades‐long relationships with legendary theatre‐makers like Will Power, Ivo van Hove, Dael Orlandersmith, and Caryl Churchill, who have shaped our very understanding of what theatre can be.

Our commitment to artists stems from innate belief that the artist has a unique perspective to offer that is as valuable as the scientist, the philosopher, and the theologian, and the significance of the imagination, humility, and groundedness of our artists has only grown during this emotional and unstable period. Throughout the COVID-19 shutdown, we remained dedicated to empowering and uplifting a diverse range of innovative theatre-makers at every stage of their careers and providing a nurturing space for our larger community to connect with the work of our artists each year.

Since our founding in 1979, we’ve produced over 150 fully‐realized productions including Jonathan Larson’s Rent ; Tony Kushner’s Homebody/Kabul ; Doug Wright’s Quills ; Claudia Shear’s Dirty Blonde ; Rick Elice’s Peter and the Starcatcher ; Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová and Enda Walsh’s Once ; and David Bowie and Enda Walsh’s Lazarus . Enabling our artists to push boundaries generates work like Nathan Alan Davis’s Nat Turner in Jerusalem , Anaïs Michell’s Hadestown , Mfoniso Udofia’s Ufot Family Cycle , Heidi Schreck’s What the Constitution Means to Me , Jeremy O. Harris’s Slave Play , Kristina Wong’s Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord and Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich’s Here There Are Blueberries . NYTW productions have received a Pulitzer Prize, 25 Tony Awards, 2 Grammy Awards and numerous Obie, Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Awards.