Managing Director

The Bushwick Starr theater seeks an ambitious, dynamic, and highly motivated full-time Managing Director to join our leadership team.

The Bushwick Starr is an Obie Award winning not-for-profit theater that presents an annual season of new performance works. We are an organization defined by both our artists and our community, and since 2007, we have grown into a thriving theatrical venue, a vital neighborhood arts center, and a destination for exciting and engaging performance. We provide a springboard for emerging artists to make career-defining leaps, and we are a sanctuary where established artists come to experiment and innovate. We are also a neighborhood playhouse, serving our Bushwick, Brooklyn community’s diverse artistic needs and impulses. We produce approximately 5 main stage shows per season, in addition to several education programs, community / special events, and development opportunities such as our new play Reading Series and artist residencies.

The Managing Director is a pivotal position as part of our leadership structure. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Managing Director will collaborate as a full partner with our Founders: Artistic Director, Noel Allain, and Creative Director, Sue Kessler. These three leadership positions work together in setting the strategic direction and vision for the organization.

We want to acknowledge that the Starr is an organization that has historically been run by an executive team of white, cisgendered people. As we grow we continue to envision a future leadership team and model that reflects the 21st century world we live in and serves our local and national community. We are currently not only defining where we have been, but also envisioning where we want to go. The MD will be a main collaborator in that continued process.

The Bushwick Starr is committed to continuing its implementation of anti-oppression practices and training for all staff and board members. Two years ago we created our Code of Community: a living document on our website that details the codes by which all who pass through our doors will be treated and expected to treat others. We hold bi-annual staff forums to continue our development and growth, and this fall we will be participating in our first staff and board anti-racism training. We are interested in leaning into the difficult conversations to continue our growth and we are looking for a Managing Director passionate about continuing anti-oppression work as a long-term practice.

Core responsibilities will include:

Long-range financial and organizational planning as well as day-to-day financial management and oversight for a $1 million budget. Strong budgeting capabilities are a must, including creation, projections, tracking and reporting, and working with our CPA on the annual audit.

Managing company administration and human resources (together with the General Manager) for a staff of 7 full-time and 8 part-time employees as well as a number of interns and outside contractors. Oversight of staff and board training, compliance, staff reviews, payroll, benefits, and insurance.

Working alongside the Development Director and Founders in developing key fundraising strategies, including grant writing consultation, donor and membership relations, planning and executing fundraising events including an annual gala.

Working closely with the Artistic Director, Production Department, and Youth & Community Programmers on the day-to-day producing of season and educational & community programming, including negotiating, creating, and executing contracts for artists, staff, independent contractors and vendors, and supervising facilities / production staff and overhire. Strong knowledge of union contracts (AEA) and various types / scopes of show contracts a must. 

Working with the Founders and Development Director on Board management and development, as well as the cultivation and solicitation of major individual supporters.

The ideal candidate will have:

Professional management experience, preferably with a background in the performing arts

Strong leadership and organizational skills (ability to manage multiple projects concurrently)

A deep understanding of The Bushwick Starr’s unique voice, mission, and population

A passion for directly supporting the work of artists and an interest in flexible producing models

Experience working with educational programs and community groups

A commitment to lead institutional initiatives and programs around DEI and anti-oppression work

Quickbooks entry, tracking & report creation

A keen eye for detail, an ability to work autonomously, and a positive attitude

The ideal candidate would ideally have:

Experience with strategic planning

Knowledge of city planning / real estate / municipal dealings (permits, zoning, city funding, etc.)

Experience with managing aspects of a capital campaign

Knowledge of OvationTix (or similar database experience)

Experience with event planning

This position will be an integral leadership position at The Bushwick Starr, with regular office hours and some nights and weekends required for special events. The Starr is very much an environment of artists/administrators who are passionate about supporting new work, ambitious artists, and our programs & partnerships in Bushwick. Our relatively small size allows us to work closely and collaboratively, and as such, we value transparency, strong communication, and democratic decision-making practices between roles and departments. We are proud to have built a company culture that is flexible, creative, holistic, and embraces individual strengths and voices. Our hope is to find someone like-minded with a passion for helping an organization reach the next level.

The salary range for the Managing Director is $65K-70K a year, dependent on benefit enrollment (health and retirement). We are interested in candidates who are not historically represented in our field, and encourage applications from under-represented groups as well as individuals who have experience with diverse populations.

To apply please send a cover letter, resume and a list of three references to: apply@thebushwickstarr.org.

We will be accepting and reviewing applications through October 23, 2020. Interviews will begin in early November. Thank you for your time and interest!

Requirements

Professional management experience, preferably with a background in the performing arts