Managing Director

Our Mission:  Inspired by Shakespeare, we create and strengthen community by bringing audiences and theater artists together to celebrate stories about our collective humanity. 

The Organization:

Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s outdoor repertory theater festival is a treasured 42-year tradition, attracting multi-generational theatergoers from the Bay Area and beyond.  Ten years after breaking from its original home at the University of California at Santa Cruz, and reforming as an independent non-profit, SCS has established itself as a renowned regional theater company which provides audiences with the experience of exceptional classical theater in an outdoor setting celebrating the natural beauty of Monterey Bay.  Our productions provide a canvas for the community to explore, question, and celebrate our political, social, and human conditions.

Diverging from an unfortunate national trend, Santa Cruz Shakespeare continues to thrive in a post-pandemic world, setting revenue records and exceeding budgetary goals in 2022 and 2023 fiscal years.  In 2024 SCS will complete the transition from our founding artistic director, Mike Ryan, to Charles Pasternak.  This carefully planned transition was designed to avoid the disruptive upheaval and funding shortfalls that some other theaters have experienced, and all indications point to a resounding success.  Further, while other theater companies are curtailing productions and laying off staff, SCS is doing just the opposite, with more shows planned for 2024 than in any prior year.

Santa Cruz Shakespeare prospers with unmatched community and board support.  Since our founding as an independent non-profit in 2013 we have experienced continued and unwavering community support in the form of contributed income from our donor community and in attendance from our patrons with a nearly sold out run in 2023.  Our donors delivered well in excess of $1M to bring the company into being in 2013 and 2014, and just 2 years later provided another $1.4M to build our new outdoor theater.  Beginning this year, SCS will undertake the construction of a new multi-purpose building that will house our offices, dressing rooms, costume shop and scenic/props shops with another $1M investment from our donor community. Further, there are untapped opportunities for corporate sponsorships and group sales.

SCS’s future is bright!  Following our record-setting 2023 season, and in addition to opening a new chapter with our new AD, donor support has never been stronger, expanded artistic offerings are budgeted, the board is fully engaged, supportive, and preparing to add new members. Our education programs – targeted for all ages – continue to grow in offerings and reach. The one missing component to this success story could be you.  If you have the drive, energy and desire to be a part of a loved and growing Shakespeare theater company, please review the position summary that follows.

Position Summary: 

Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the Managing Director and Artistic Director are jointly charged with realizing the festival’s goals for artistic excellence, education programming, financial stability, and audience engagement. Within this collaborative partnership, the Managing Director is responsible for the overall business, administrative, and operational management of the company, including leadership of contributed income development, sales and marketing, budgeting and financial management, contract administration, treasury management, human resources, information systems, ticket and concession sales, and community relations.

Essential Functions:

Management:

Hire, train, direct, motivate, evaluate, and oversee the work of all administrative and non-artistic full-time (currently 3), part-time, and seasonal staff (currently ~40). Ensure a productive working environment, foster a culture of teamwork, excitement, kindness, productivity, and transparency in line with SCS’s values.

With the Artistic Director, assist the Board in the annual Strategic Planning process and other long-term planning activities.

Develop and maintain the highest level of communications with Board members, the Artistic Director, staff, patrons and donors.

Serve on Board committees related to the administration of SCS, specifically including the Development and Finance committees, and others as appropriate.

Prepare materials for Board and Board Committee meetings, as needed.

Ensure that SCS provides a welcoming, inclusive environment for staff, interns, volunteers, and patrons.

Sales & Marketing:

Oversee the development and execution of a long term marketing plan that maximizes SCS exposure, develops new and untapped markets, and ultimately boosts earned and contributed income potential.

Supervise Marketing Director; support development and provide oversight of SCS’s marketing program.  Provide executive oversight in the hiring and management of all marketing, advertising and research consultants.

Expand a nascent group sales program

Financial Management:

Own and lead the annual budgeting process in deep collaboration with the Artistic Director with a goal of balanced or revenue positive budgets. Develop an annual budget and 3-year financial plan for Board approval.

Manage SCS’s finances:  hire and oversee bookkeeper; ensure adherence to budget; provide accurate and timely financial reports to Finance Committee and Board. 

Oversee the filing of all required tax and business forms.  Ensure the Board is aware of any material budgetary discrepancies and other significant issues.  As needed, hire and oversee the work of financial auditors.

Development and Donor Management:

In collaboration with the Artistic Director and Board, oversee SCS’s Director of Development and development programs, including staff and Board activities. Ensure outstanding relations with donors.

Increase annual contributed income by working with the Director of Development to:

• Development of foundation grant proposals and appeals
• Solicitation of corporate sponsorships
• Oversee expansion of higher level (Producer’s Circle) donor program

Oversee the effective execution of donor and community events.

Human Capital Management:

Oversee and implement all HR functions for office staff, interns, and volunteers, including compensation, benefits, workers’ compensation, etc.

Develop, maintain and implement personnel policies in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Procure agency insurance, including liability, D&O, auto and employee benefits.

Contract and Compliance

Develop, negotiate and draft all relevant contracts in collaboration with the AD, relevant staff and board of directors as appropriate.

Manage and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Information Systems:

Manage and ensure the effective functioning of the ticketing and donor engagement software systems.

Oversee the effective and timely updating and maintenance of the SCS web assets and properties to provide a quality patron experience and maximize patron engagement, ticket sales and donations.

In cooperation with the Board, the Marketing Director, and relevant committees,  plan ways to collect marketing and patron information that sets the stage for improved future outcomes.

Oversee adherence to established corporate IT policies to ensure the security of corporate data and system assets.

Knowledge, Experience, and Traits:

The ideal candidate will be bold, passionate, enthusiastic, and creative. They will have the necessary experience and drive to work in equal partnership with the Artistic Director to guide and grow the company into its next exciting chapter.  Previous work with nonprofits, a background in arts management, and strong organizational skills will garner serious consideration. A bachelor’s degree or higher is preferable. Strong writing and math/financial skills are a must, as is a love of theater. The ability to work most evenings and weekends during productions and for meetings is necessary. A sense of humor is highly desirable.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Santa Cruz Shakespeare provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

SCS aspires to be a workplace that is not only free of discrimination, but one that fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that diversity of experience, perspective, and background lead to a better environment for our employees and a better art experience for our patrons.

Position Compensation:

• Salaried annual compensation range: $85,000 to $112,000
• 2 weeks of paid vacation, with limitations based on production schedule
• Paid health, dental and vision insurance
• A pending 403B program that this position will establish
• A really great place to work

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume, with professional references upon request to mdsearch@santacruzshakespeare.org. Applications are currently being accepted and the position will remain open until filled.