Managing Director

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY

Golden Thread Productions is seeking a new Managing Director.

This is a full-time position in San Francisco, CA. Reporting to the board of trustees in partnership with the Artistic Director, the Managing Director is responsible for the business and administrative management of the organization in support of a 5-year strategic plan, the Artistic Director’s vision, and the mission of the company. This entails leading efforts in administration, financial management, human resources, fundraising, and development. The Managing Director will oversee the duties of the Development/Patron Services Associate and the Patron Services Manager/Graphic Design Associate. The ideal candidate would have experience in non-profit management and/or arts administration, be familiar with the operational and developmental needs of a performing arts organization, and possess strong management, strategic, and analytical skills combined with an understanding of Middle Eastern and Middle Eastern American theatre as well as the diverse communities that shape it.

BACKGROUND

Founded in 1996, Golden Thread Productions is the first American theatre company focused on the Middle East, defined broadly and inclusively. Golden Thread’s mission is to produce passionate and provocative plays from or about the Middle East – including its global diaspora – that celebrate the multiplicity of its perspectives and identities. We are a developmental catalyst and vibrant artistic home to artists at various stages of their careers. We bring the Middle East to the American stage, creating treasured cultural experiences for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

For more than two decades, Golden Thread Productions has been expanding the scope of mainstream American storytelling to include Middle Eastern immigrant perspectives and advocating for diversity and inclusion in the American theatre nationally. Our programs expose non-Middle Eastern audiences to the authentic voices and alternative perspectives of the region, while serving Middle Eastern audiences who rarely encounter meaningful reflections of their own culture in the performing arts. Instilling pride, facilitating conversations and building cultural bridges among artists, audiences, and diverse communities is at the core of our artistic practice.

Golden Thread’s signature programs include the development and production of full-length plays; the ReOrient Festival of short plays; the New Threads staged reading series; an annual event featuring Middle Eastern women artists entitled What Do the Women Say?, and the Golden Thread Fairytale Players which features the creation and touring of theatre for young audiences based on Middle Eastern folktales and traditions.

Over the last decade, Golden Thread has achieved steady growth expanding from a $215K budget in 2013 to $650K in 2023 through significant investment in staff and board development, community engagement, and funder relationships. We have served over 50,000 audience members, premiered more than 100 new plays, including seven plays for young audiences, and employed more than 1,000 artists. Today, the company enjoys a leading position as the first American theatre company devoted to the Middle East, a robust donor and audience base, an engaged board, and strong community partnerships.

After successfully and smoothly completing our first ever leadership transition in 2021, following 25 years under our Founding Artistic Director, we are transitioning from a single Executive Artistic Director solely reporting to the board of trustees to a dual reporting structure, where a dynamic and cohesive partnership between the Artistic Director and the Managing Director will enhance our collaborative decision-making, accountability, and adaptability, and ultimately, the overall success of our organization. The Artistic Director will focus on setting the company’s artistic vision, developing and producing new work, building relationships with local, national, and international artists, and representing the company to community members, audiences, and supporters. The Managing Director will focus on setting the vision for the company’s organizational structure and capacity, managing financial and human resources, and building relationships with external partners to advance the company’s strategic goals. Both positions will report directly to the Board of Trustees.

goldenthread.org

JOB DESCRIPTION

The position of Managing Director is full time. This position reports directly to the Board of Trustees and operates in partnership with the Artistic Director. Together, the Artistic Director and Managing Director guide the company’s long-term vision laid out in a 5-year strategic plan, enhancing visibility and amplifying impact. The primary objective of this collaboration is to realize Golden Thread’s mission through the implementation of compelling artistic programming, visionary strategic planning, and effective operational management. The Managing Director is responsible for the business and administrative management of the organization in support of a 5-year strategic plan and the Artistic Director’s vision and the mission of the company. This entails leading efforts in administration, financial management, human resources, fundraising, and development.

Primary Responsibilities:

Manage daily operations and oversee all administrative functions.

• Maintain relationships and communications with a wide range of partners, including artists, agents, contractors, vendors, community partners, and service organizations.
• Maintain leases, rental agreements and service contracts and manage contractual negotiations with various unions including but not limited to Actor’s Equity Association (AEA), United Scenic Artists, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers (SDC).
• Ensure maintenance of all insurance, permits, and licenses legally required.
• Direct organizational data collection and management.
• Manage production administration including contracts and payments.
• Provide box office and front of the house oversight.

 Provide financial management and budgetary oversight.

• Develop and manage annual operating budgets, multi-year projections, programming income and expense forecasts, and collaborate with the Artistic Director to produce production budgets.
• Manage accounts payable/receivable and provide oversight of all financial reporting and recordkeeping controls in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Prepare and present financial evaluations to measure fiscal effectiveness to the Artistic Director, Treasurer, and Board of Trustees.
• Oversee annual audit and tax preparation.

 Manage all human resources functions.

• Review and maintain all employment policies, procedures and documentation and ensure the ongoing compliancy of employment practices and the employee handbook.
• Oversee the recruiting, hiring, and supervision of key administrative positions and assist the Artistic Director as needed for production hiring.
• Create and fulfill production and employment contracts.
• Conduct all initial employee onboarding and benefits administration.

Strategize, plan and lead all fundraising efforts.

• Actively seek out new and renewed sources of contributed income, with a particular focus on identifying and establishing relationships with key individual donors, while motivating and inspiring board members in their fundraising responsibilities to leverage their skills and networks.
• Manage all annual fundraising activities through the creation of campaigns, development of case statements, strategy design, and direction of the creation of materials including annual solicitations and special campaigns.
• Maintain donor treatment, acknowledgement procedures, Prospect Cultivation protocols, and donor/patron records.
• Administrate the CRM database and utilize the data to provide analysis and insight.

 Manage development strategy and portfolio.

• Direct and lead institutional fundraising with foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Manage all operations related grants, proposals and reports, and assist the Artistic Director with project-specific grant research, applications and reporting.
• Manage the annual grants calendar according to opportunities for operations, productions, and programs.

In collaboration with the Artistic Director:

Provide organizational leadership and strategy.

• Set priorities and objectives for the organization and align the distribution and allocation of financial capacity and human resources with the achievement of the mission, values, artistic vision and strategic goals of the company in conjunction with the board, Artistic Director, and staff.
• Grow and diversify the board of trustees, while managing board relations through regular and effective communication and ensuring that board members are best engaged according to their skills and interests.
• Sustain and expand Golden Thread’s accountability, anti-racism, and EDI efforts in collaboration with the AD and safeguard the well-being of our artists, audiences, staff, and board.
• Serve as an ex officio member of the board, attending meetings and participating on board committees, including the development committee, and others as necessary.
• Build a positive relationship with Golden Thread’s community, attending company functions such as artist meetings, production meetings, first rehearsals, design runs, first previews and opening nights as needed.
• Enhance the organization’s visibility in the San Francisco community and greater Bay Area, and in conjunction with the Artistic Director and when called upon, act as a visible spokesperson and speak to private and public organizations and to the press.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

We believe that people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. If you believe you have the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this role, we encourage you to apply.

The Managing Director will be a strategic thinker and creative leader who motivates, inspires, and is passionate about Golden Thread’s mission. They will demonstrate strong financial, managerial, and fundraising acumen. They will effectively manage risk while remaining grounded and be undeterred by frequent change and unique challenges. They will be committed to building community and value deep dialogue, self-examination and inquiry.

Qualified candidates will exhibit a collaborative spirit; self-motivating and adaptable approach; excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; and an ability to work with varied communication styles. They will have proven organizational and time management skills, attention to detail, strategic and analytical thinking with an ability to manage multiple projects at once, set priorities, and meet deadlines. With a sustained dedication to equity and inclusion, they will have the ability to work with diverse groups of artists and audiences. A background in theatre arts administration would be preferred. The ideal candidate will be politically aware and sensitive to the plurality of thought and culture both within the Middle East and its world-wide diaspora.

COMPENSATION AND START DATE

This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary for this position is budgeted at $70,000. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, holiday pay, sick leave, a flexible schedule, and the ability to perform some work remotely.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email one PDF containing a resume and a detailed cover letter explaining your interest in the position and our organization, along with three or more references to MDSearch@goldenthread.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until filled. Preferred start date is June 1, 2024. For questions, email MDSearch@goldenthread.org.