Be a part of Shakespeare Northwest and help to shape our future seasons! We are looking for bright and creative individuals to fulfill the positions of Artistic Director and Managing Director of the Skagit River Shakespeare Festival. Below are descriptions of what the roles entail. Please email eal@shakesnw.org or call 360-941-5744 with any questions.
Artistic Director
The Artistic Director (AD) is responsible for conceiving, developing, and implementing the artistic vision and focus of Shakespeare Northwest (SNW).
The AD reports to, and is subordinate to, the President and SNW Board. The AD works in partnership with a Managing Director, as an executive team.
Some typical responsibilities:
Recruits and supervises artistic personnel including directors, performers, designers, tech crew and stage managers
Recruits and supervises key technical personnel
Develops, implements, and evaluates programs for the year
With the SNW Board, develops annual program budget
Acts as a spokesperson for the organization’s artistic purpose via speaking engagements, public and social appearances, and, as requested, at fundraising events and solicitations
Fosters the development of good relations with other cultural organizations by participating in meetings and joint activities where appropriate
Reports to the SNW Board on a regular basis to give an update on artistic activity
Supervises the maintenance of written procedures manual for technical and production staff
AD’s motivate staff, casts and organization boards to follow the institution’s mission. They develop new artistic outreach programs and oversee artistic output.
They select all creative and production staff and assume any responsibility necessary in the absence of others. They work with executive board directors to form and maintain a production budget.
A successful AD must be incredibly creative. They must also be well versed within theatrical repertoire, particularly the genre that the company specializes in (e.g. the AD of Shakespeare Northwest must have an in depth knowledge of the works Shakespeare and his contemporaries). They must have exceptional interpersonal skills. They also must be effective communicators both orally and in writing. They must also possess excellent people management skills. They must be able to work under deadlines. They must be able to work within a defined budget.
Managing Director
The Managing Director reports to the Board and works in partnership with Artistic Director, as an executive team. [The Managing Director is a leader, responsible for building an effective team internally, and cultivating a committed team to act externally in the community at large]? The Managing Director is responsible for generating, directing and supervising day-to-day administrative activity including:
Board of Directors: The Managing Director serves, with the Artistic Director, as the primary staff liaison to the Board. They assists the Board’s leaders as appropriate with recruitment, education and Board member development and works closely with vital Board committees in order to harness the resources, talent and energy of the Board in the service of SNW. They work closely with the President of the Board and the executive committee of the Board regarding the operation of the company.
Fundraising: The Managing Director works to strategize fundraising activities of the company. Current fundraising campaigns include: individual gifts, major-donor gifts, special events, corporate giving, and government support and foundation grants. The Managing Director advises and assists the Board on developing strategies, successfully executing fundraising plans and making fundraising calls. They also work with the Board and volunteers to help coordinate special events and other fundraising activities.
Education: The Managing Director works with the Artistic Director to support and further the educational programs of the company.
[The MD is responsible for overseeing all capital related spending and acquisitions.]?
They also represents SNW in discussions/negotiations with the city and other resident arts organizations in the northwest region.
The Managing Director is responsible for:
Coordination of long-range and annual planning in collaboration with the Artistic Director (AD) and the Shakespeare Northwest (SNW) Board.
Providing leadership for and actively participating in fundraising activities, donor development, grant seeking, grant writing and grant reporting.
Strengthen and enhance the organization’s administrative departments in support of SNW’s expanded artistic goals and developing the resources to do so.
Working with the SNW board to develop the annual budget, including providing monthly financial reporting and forecasting, cash flow management, capital spending and expenditures review and approval with the assistance of the AD and the Board.
Supervising and directing administrative operations.
Managing the operation and maintenance of the theatre’s physical space and capital.
Administering and supporting, in conjunction with the AD and the Board, all educational programs of the company.
Acting as the representative and advocate of the theatre with government agencies, insurance companies, community and local business groups and arts organizations.
Someone in this position would be expected to:
Possess experience in a non-profit arts management/leadership position, with experience in fund-raising and grant writing;
Possess strong budgeting and financial management skills;
Demonstrate capacity to lead, manage, motivate and inspire the theatre’s team.
Conduct all the affairs of the organization with adherence to legal requirements, best practices, and conditions conducive to a creative home for artists.
Have experience in marketing, advertising and public relations activities, including driving growth in ticket sales and associated revenues;
Exhibit excellent interpersonal leadership, and communications (both written and oral) skills;
Demonstrate a strong work ethic, stamina and passion.
Work closely with the Artistic Director to further expand SNW’s operations.
Assist the Board in delineating clear lines of responsibility and communication within the organization to ensure that all functions of the theater are the clear responsibility of either the AD, the MD or the Board President.
Represents SNW in discussions/negotiations with the city and other resident arts organizations in the northwest region.
Act as an Advocate: The Managing Director helps to advance the relationship between the Theatre and various local, state, and regional organizations, including government agencies and advocacy groups, community and local business groups and arts organizations. The Managing Director/Artistic Director team presents the public face of SNW and s/he may be called upon to speak to private and public organizations and to the press.
