OPEN POSITION: MANAGING DIRECTOR
Title: Managing Director
Reports to: Artistic Director
Status/Classification: Part-time Employee
Pay: $32,000 annually
Position Summary
The Managing Director will oversee all business aspects of the company with a primary focus on finances, operations, and administration. They are also responsible for establishing and executing the organization’s strategic plan in cooperation with the Board of Directors and the Artistic Director. The Managing Director reports to the Artistic Director, oversees both the Development Manager and the Marketing Manager, and works closely with the Production Manager on relevant producing matters. This leadership role requires the Managing Director to display creativity, thoughtfulness, a keen sense of business finance and administration, and critical thinking.
Trademark is especially looking for candidates with entrepreneurial spirit interested in growing the organization – financially, administratively, artistically – over the next several years.
Average time worked ranges from 10 hours to 30 hours per week, depending on programming.
About Trademark Theater
Founded in 2017 by award-winning theater artist Tyler Michaels King, Trademark Theater is in its eighth season of presenting bold, new theatrical works in the vibrant Twin Cities arts community. Trademark's mission seeks to create, develop, and produce original theatrical works in Minnesota by staging innovative productions for adventurous local audiences. Our non-profit theater is committed to serving both theater-goers and artists by commissioning and fostering new plays created by emerging playwrights, composer/lyricists, and theater-makers and bringing them to life in world premiere productions.
Because of Trademark’s commitment to high-quality entertainment, our organization invests in extensive workshop and development processes for all of our productions. Each development timeline can range from three to four years or more. From conception to full production, Trademark guides both the art and the artist to discover the most impactful interpretation of each story told.
Trademark remains at the forefront of new works creation by promoting boldness and risk-taking in all of our programming.
More information can be found at: www.trademarktheater.org
The scope of work per season usually entails supporting 1 full production, 1-2 workshops/readings, 1 commissioned artist showcase, 1 gala fundraiser event, and various fundraisers/private events.
Managing Director Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership
Work closely with the Artistic Director to support and champion their artistic vision for the company as a whole and for all programming.
Update, maintain, and execute Trademark’s Strategic Plan with personal emphasis on finance, fundraising, organizational structure, and operations, in support of the company’s Mission and Vision, and in collaboration with the Artistic Director and Board of Directors.
Work with the Artistic Director, Marketing Manager, and Board of Directors to ensure strong communications to strengthen Trademark’s marketing strategies.
Work with the Development Manager, and Board of Directors to build and maintain long term fundraising strategies that sustain Trademark’s artmaking and administrative capacity.
Serve as a key representative of Trademark in the community, with key focus on relations to donors, funding institutions, other arts organizations and companies, and government agencies.
Provide additional support for and attend meetings, fundraisers, events, celebrations, opening nights, etc.
Administrative
Budgets
Manage the creation of Trademark’s annual operating budgets.
Manage financial reporting systems to ensure that all staff have the information they need to manage their individual budgets.
Provide financial reports to the Treasurer of the Board of Directors.
Finance Operations
Manage the overall financial operations of the organization, including bookkeeping, accounts payable/receivable, and reconciliation of contributions in Salesforce to contributions in QuickBooks.
Manage all and payroll and contractor payments via direct deposits and physical checks.
Provide financial analysis and recommendations to guide the organization’s financial decisions.
Reporting
Manage all financial reporting to the IRS, MN Department of Revenue, Secretary of State and Attorney General.
Annually prepare and submit the organization’s 990 EZ, Charitable Org registration, worker’s comp audits and insurance audits.
Ensure that Trademark’s employment policies and reporting are consistent with all rules and regulations governing working in the State of Minnesota.
Contracts
Oversee all of Trademark’s contracting and agreements for productions, workshops, commissions, and other public and private events.
Negotiate artistic and production contracts including royalties and artist salaries with support from the Artistic Director, as needed.
Oversee all of Trademark’s contracting with external agents, including: Actor’s Equity Association, insurance and workers’ comp agreements, rentals, rights/royalty agreements, vendors, etc.
IT
Provide IT support for Trademark’s various platforms including ticketing, Salesforce, Quickbooks, PayPal, password managers, Google workspaces, etc.
Fundraising
In partnership with Trademark’s Development Manager, write grant applications.
Support Development’s communication with donors and patrons when it relates to fundraising or institutional advancement, ensuring best practices are being used in stewarding our patrons.
Oversee the patron database and ensure that best practices are being used in recording and analyzing data.
People Management
In partnership with the Artistic Director and Board, oversee recruiting, training, coaching, and retention of staff.
Foster a company culture of teamwork, generous collaboration, clear communication, effective delegation, and mutual support.
Create and support a culture that attracts and maintains the highest caliber staff, artistic talent and board members while promoting excellence and integrity and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Board Relations
Work with the Board Chair and Artistic Director to identify needs for committees and prioritize work of the Board.
Provide monthly written reports to the Board.
Desired Qualifications
3+ years experience in theater management or arts administration.
Arts Management or Business degree is welcome but not required with relevant work experience.
Professional theater experience of any kind is a plus.
Experience interacting with boards, donors, and volunteers.
Experience with Salesforce or other CRM software.
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Excellent knowledge of non-profit finances, administration, and strategic planning.
Exhibits ability in both the creative and analytical side of arts management.
Highly responsible with the ability to maintain confidential information.
Ability to focus simultaneously on the day to day operation of the company as well as future aspirations.
A nuanced understanding of theater programming, history and culture.
Strong negotiation skills.
Open-minded and excited to explore innovative approaches to organizational growth.
Excellent writing and language skills as well as editing and proofreading skills.
Excellent time/project management skills; ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to self motivate and also work collaboratively.
Must be committed and highly flexible to the needs of a growing company.
Good interpersonal skills, positive attitude; needs to have capacity for compassion, empathy, and resourcefulness.
Working Conditions
Trademark Theater does not have designated offices. The individual must be able to perform the majority of their work from home, or from an independent location.
This position requires extensive use of the computer and telephone. Ability to travel locally required.
The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of the position; rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position. The individual may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this job description.
Position Starts: June 1st, 2025, or after.
How to Apply
Please send a cover letter, resume, and two references in Word or PDF formats to boardchair@trademarktheater.org with “MANAGING DIRECTOR” in the subject line.
Trademark Theater encourages candidates of all races, ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds to apply for this position. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
Deadline for applications: April 30th, 2025.