The Arts Consulting Group, Inc. seeks your interest or candidate recommendations for the Managing Director position at the historic Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California.

ORGANIZATION
As one of the great institutions of the American theatre since 1917, the Pasadena Playhouse as the official State Theater of California remains committed to the development and presentation of a diverse variety of theatrical productions at the highest level of artistry. By cultivating and utilizing the unique resources inherent in its greater community, the Pasadena Playhouse will preserve and amplify the powerful voice of theatre, assuring its vitality for generations to come. The Playhouse is under the guidance of Artistic Director Sheldon Epps, whose commitment to cultural and theatrical diversity brings vitality and direction to the theatre. This commitment is reflected in seasons featuring Tony and Pulitzer award-winning plays as well as in outreach and artistic programs, which have doubled in size in the last two years.

In recent years, The Playhouse has become instrumental in launching new works and landmark revivals for the American theatre. Highlights since 2005 include the launch of the national tour of Purlie (with the Goodman Theatre), the world premiere of SISTER ACT the Musical (with the Alliance Theatre, opening on the West End in 2009), the world premiere of RAY CHARLES LIVE!, the world premiere of Looped starring Valerie Harper (opening at Arena Stage in May 2009) and the World Premiere of Vanities, a new musical (opening on Broadway in 2009). The Playhouse is thrilled to continue its legacy of working with exciting Los Angeles-area theaters that began with The Furious Theatre Company and now continues with Theatre 360, Theatre at Boston Court, and Directors Lab West among others.

Sheldon Epps’ vision for the theatre has always been to reach beyond ethnic diversity and seek out, encourage and engage writers, actors, directors and designers of unique cultural, racial, social and ethnic backgrounds. The Sheldon Epps Theatrical Diversity Project was created in 2005 to support the Artistic Director’s vision to build a legacy of artistic and theatrical diversity at Pasadena Playhouse. This initiative ensures the continuation of eclectic and dynamic productions that might not otherwise be possible within the given resources of the theatre. Over the past two years, in honor of this great vision, the Diversity Project has helped support new play development, fund productions by minority and women playwrights and allowed access to the theatre for underprivileged youth. In 2006, founding Diversity Project members celebrated at the Inaugural Event in conjunction with the production of August Wilson’s Fences, starring Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne.

The Pasadena Playhouse is dedicated to the development of youth, young theatre professionals, new audiences, and future artists of American theatre, and continues to grow it’s outreach offerings that include, Allies In Arts – A School Membership Program, Student Matinees, New Generations program for at-risk and underserved youth, Internships, Director’s Lab West, and Conversations With … connecting the artistic community with audiences.

The Playhouse recently completed an $11 million capital campaign to renovate its beautiful historic landmark theatre and rejuvenate the Carrie Hamilton Theatre, which was dedicated in honor of Carol Burnett’s late daughter. This latter performance space was designed to engage diverse audiences, ensure that live theatre is available to new audiences, reduce barriers to the theatre experience, and to sustain the art form through the mentoring of young and emerging artists. Existing programs taking place in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre include the readings series, Hothouse at the Playhouse; the Directors Lab West, which develops emerging playwrights, directors and actors; and artist-in-residence Furious Theatre Company. With this theatre, Carrie’s infinite passion for life and the arts will find a permanent home. On February 19, 2008 Pasadena Playhouse announced that renowned architect Frank Gehry will begin a two-phase pro bono design project of the Playhouse’s Carrie Hamilton Theatre. Gehry generously volunteered his time and expertise in honor of his long-time friend, Pasadena Playhouse Board Member Carol Burnett.

POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Board of Directors and in partnership with the Artistic Director, the Managing Director will be charged with leading an effective, comprehensive, and integrated management of the Pasadena Playhouse as it moves into the next phase of its journey. The Managing Director will be one of the organization’s chief spokespeople with the Pasadena Playhouse’s mission, vision and values as a guide in representing it to many constituencies, both internal and external, throughout the community. The scope of responsibility will include fund development, long-range planning, audience development, external and community relations, and the overall operational, financial and administrative management of the Playhouse.

The Managing Director will be a relationship builder who maintains a high professional profile and is able to cultivate financial resources personally while also educating, engaging, and energizing the Board of Directors in their role as fundraisers, policymakers, and community ambassadors. The Managing Director maintains an atmosphere where collaboration, consensus building, open communication and stakeholder participation encourage creativity, flexibility, stability, and the achievement of the Playhouse’s overall cultural, social, community, and institutional goals. This will require an experienced leader with superior interpersonal skills, compassion, verbal and written presentation abilities, team building and overall management expertise.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Institutional Advancement
Oversee a comprehensive fundraising, development and advancement plan that supports the Playhouse’s ongoing artistic, educational, and capital campaign initiatives. Identify stakeholders, develop strategies, and define how key messages will be delivered to various individual and institutional stakeholders in order to increase participation in the Playhouse.

• Take a leadership role in the organization’s development programs, including its endowment, planned giving, and annual operating efforts
• Identify appropriate funding opportunities from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies with the Board of Directors and staff,
• Lead staff and Board in development activities and maintain strong relationships with the funding community,
• Develop marketing and public relations programs with staff support that achieve subscription, single ticket, and earned revenue goals while enhancing the Playhouse’s national visibility and reputation,
• Ensure the highest levels of customer service, effective audience interaction, and community engagement,
• Strategize the most effective donor stewardship and cultivation methods with the Board and staff.

Governance and Financial Management
Provide support to best utilize the talents and resources of the Board, stimulate involvement, assist in the recruitment of new members, and work closely with the Board and Artistic Director to ensure strong fiscal health of the organization.

• Initiate and maintain effective communications with the Board Chairman, Board of Directors, management team, and administrative staff, and volunteers,
• Identify, cultivate, and assist in recruitment of Board members whose skills, experience, financial connections, diversity, and capacity meet the needs of the Playhouse,
• Orient, educate and engage Board members to maximize their effectiveness,
• Celebrate the successes of individual Board members and the Board as a whole in recognizing their contribution of time and resources as community ambassadors for the Playhouse
• Maintain sound financial management practices including developing an annual budget and business plan for presentation to the Board providing financial reports to the Board on a regular and timely basis.
• Guide, direct and support the Board in their duties in fundraising, governance, and as community ambassadors.
• Provide concise, relevant and timely information to the Board so that it can fulfill its policy and decision making responsibilities.

Community & Public Relations
Spearhead an initiative of the Playhouse’s public image and increased brand awareness of the organization, clearly articulating its artistic stature locally, regionally, and nationally. Focus on mission, vision, programs and impact and act as a spokesperson with the Artistic Director for the Playhouse on Broadway and beyond.

• Develop partnership agreements with arts and community organizations to advance the Playhouse’s outreach activities and collaborative partnerships throughout the nation,
• Communicate the work of the Artistic Director and institutional mission of the organization to the public through the media and at public speaking engagements, as needed,
• Cultivate good relations with regional arts organizations, educators, and public agencies, as well as the national media.
• Serve as a public face of the Playhouse at various community events and represent the Playhouse in a manner that enhances its reputation and standing in the community, with a goal of allowing the Playhouse to provide greater service to the community.
• Guide the creation of a comprehensive development program and assume a leading and active role in fundraising in consultation and cooperation with the Board.
• Effectively cultivate and maintain strong relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, and government funders locally and develop comprehensive plans that maximize contributed income.
• Work with all members of the community, develop appropriate strategic partnerships, and seek to include members of the community’s various multicultural groups and people of all ages.
• Coordinate with all city, county and regional governments and agencies as needed.

Operational and Strategic Planning
Oversee short-term operational and long-range strategic planning and implementation processes, including the effective mentoring and supervision of the organization’s human resources, mobilization of technology, and decision making related to appropriate use of fiscal resources.

• Develop, implement and monitor a long-term institutional plan and vision in coordination with the Board and staff,
• Create a strategic operating plan and assume joint responsibility with the Board for its implementation, reporting progress towards goals regularly,
• Consult and strategize with the Artistic Director and staff regarding the annual artistic, educational and outreach plans and appropriate budget which fulfills the organization’s artistic vision and simultaneously maximizes earned income opportunities,
• Develop a strategy to effectively mobilize and utilize volunteers in support of the Playhouse and its programs,
• Direct administrative personnel relations to ensure that the organization is effectively structured and staffed with competent employees,
• Ensure that the Playhouse’s employer obligations to its staff, legally and ethically, are fully achieved.

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS
The Managing Director will be a results oriented relationship builder who maintains a high professional profile and is able to cultivate financial and resources and Playhouse advocates in conjunction with the Board of Directors. The Managing Director should have the ability to understand, embrace and be inspired by the Playhouse’s artistic vision, unique mission, and special character. The position requires an individual who is sensitive to and supportive of the needs of the Playhouse’s diverse constituencies including members, donors, Board, artistic, production and administration staff, volunteers, and community leaders.

The Managing Director will be a true leader that can support the development of a long-term vision with achievable goals and a strategy that embraces many stakeholders. This will require an individual with superior interpersonal skills, verbal and written presentation abilities, and leadership in addition to futuristic thinking, team building and overall management talent. The Managing Director must have the capacity to guide the organization through a crucial intersection where best business practices meet the world-class artistic quality of the Playhouse and the high expectations of its audience. The Managing Director should value the social impact of the institution on its community, as well as have the ability to communicate the cultural, educational, and economic impact messages of the Pasadena Playhouse throughout the nation.

The selected individual will have a well-rounded set of competencies that sets him or her apart from others in the field as a results-oriented leader with the ability to quickly set, pursue, and reach goals with a can-do attitude. Leading candidates will have the experience and judgment to be decisive; while also being adaptable to change. Candidates will thrive in an environment of continued educational and intellectual growth, and value being making a difference in society. Additionally, the Managing Director will possess the following abilities:

• Self Management & Self Starting – Independently pursues objectives in an organized and efficient manner, prioritizes activities, maintains level of activity without direct supervision and minimizes disruptions to complete high quality work on time.
• Goal Achievement & Results Orientation - Sets, pursues, and attains achievable goals, regardless of obstacles or circumstances, and identifies necessary actions and the implementation steps required to successfully achieve those goals.
• Personal Accountability - Embraces his/her own capacity to be answerable for personal actions and professional decisions.
• Leading Others – Organizes, motivates, and gains commitment from others to achieve desired results. Analyzes others’ opinions and leads them to understand and willingly accept desired alternatives and strategic direction.
• Resiliency -The ability to quickly recover from adversity or difficult circumstances in which leaders typically find themselves.

The successful candidate will be an experienced team player for whom the ownership of ideas is less important than the result of the collaborative effort. The Managing Director, therefore, should be able to help distill ideas, clarify issues and have intellectual depth and pragmatic know-how. The individual should be a facilitative coalition builder who can work at multiple levels and with different segments and sectors in establishing mutual trust and agreement of expectations. The Managing Director should be able to see issues through the various prisms of each constituency but have the personal strength to balance that with the long-term institutional vision. The person selected must be able to move from dialog to decision making and to develop strategies that inspire others towards implementation of goals.

The Managing Director should value knowledge and the ability to communicate the intellectual messages and educational impact of the Pasadena Playhouse while having an innate ability to be practical. The ability to plan strategically, set goals and objectives, organize and follow-through in an optimistic manner is important. The Managing Director should have an understanding of institutional image building, marketing, external relations, fund development and have the presence and capacity to move initiatives forward in each of these areas. The Managing Director should be the model of integrity, fairness and have the highest ethical standards. Ingenuity, compassion, dedication, enthusiasm, humor and energy are also key attributes.

QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a master’s degree strongly preferred. A minimum of 8-10 years of related senior management experience with a successful track record in best business practices and knowledge of theater nationally. Although it is likely that the successful candidate will have career experience at a senior management level of an established theater, it is also possible that the individual could come from another background closely related to the Pasadena Playhouse’s mission.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Compensation is very competitive and commensurate with experience with appropriate benefits, including health and life insurance, medical flex, vacation, participation in 403b pension plan, and access to disability and other group insurance.

APPLICATIONS AND INQUIRIES
Cover letter and resume to:
Mr. Bruce D. Thibodeau, President
Arts Consulting Group, Inc.
1601 Hi Point Street
Los Angeles, CA 90035-4503

Tel (323) 936.0626
Fax (323) 936.1196
E-mail pasadenaplayhouse@artsconsulting.com