Recruiting Announcement and Position Description
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Reporting To: ACT Board of Directors
Target Start Date: June 2018
Nonprofit Organization:
Association for the Colonial Theatre
Location: 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
Website: www.thecolonialtheatre.com
Background
The iconic Colonial Theatre is located in the center of a walkable downtown business district in the thriving Borough of Phoenixville, a post-industrial steel town named one of the ‘Ten Hottest Suburban Philadelphia towns’ by Philadelphia Magazine (2017). Phoenixville is home to 16,000 residents and growing and is located 45 minutes from Center City Philadelphia. In the last two years the Borough has enjoyed an influx of new residents and businesses, spurred by the construction of hundreds of high-end apartments and the addition of many new breweries, restaurants and shops in the theatre’s immediate vicinity.
During the past several years, the Association for Colonial Theatre purchased an adjacent historical building in which it constructed two additional state-of-the-art cinemas to increase its capacity for extended and flexible programming. The Colonial’s two historic buildings function as a single venue containing three theatres:
• 1903 Theatre (preserved but not restored, 658 seats with a two-tiered balcony, rare Wurlitzer Opus pipe organ, fixed screen, 2K digital and 35mm projection, dressing rooms)
• White Rabbit Theatre (newly constructed, 175 telescoping seats with a fixed balcony area, 2K digital projection, modern lighting grid), and
• Berry Theatre (newly constructed, 63 seats, 2K digital projection)
• The newly renovated space also has rental capacity with an expansive lobby, Garden Suite and adjacent rooftop deck.
The daily operations are carried out by an experienced, professional staff and volunteers.
As the founding executive of ACT is pursuing new endeavors, the Board of Directors is enthusiastically
committed to identify an exemplary successor, with whom the Board can work to expand on the
Colonial’s current significant presence.
ACT Mission: To inspire audiences by presenting exceptional and eclectic
film and performance for all in Phoenixville’s historic Colonial Theatre.
Priorities and Ongoing Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have responsibility for implementing and
enhancing the organization’s strategic goals, overseeing the strategy and design for fundraising
initiatives, developing and administering program activities, providing leadership of the day-to-day
administrative functions, and ensuring that senior management and staff are in place to meet
operational needs. This individual should have a broad vision, be bold and creative in shaping the
Colonial’s position as a vibrant community cultural center and ally of the arts. All endeavors of the
Executive Director will be to implement the Colonial’s mission.
Much of the Executive Director’s energy will be spent in the community creating and growing the
Colonial’s image with a diverse variety of constituents. These will include governmental officials,
community leaders, donors, artists, leaders of other artistic/cultural organizations as well as other
stakeholders. The Executive Director should have the standing to function socially and professionally
among the community’s most highly respected business leaders and philanthropists, with a focus on
maintaining and building strategic alliances.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Executive Director:
• Will be a leader in strategic planning and the evolution of existing and new programs and will be
creative and willing to work closely with the Board to enhance the mission of the Colonial, its
programs, and development efforts.
• Will be expected to lead and develop the team of experienced professionals responsible for the
management of daily affairs of The Colonial Theatre.
• Will be responsible for leading the development of the Colonial’s theatrical offerings,
educational programs and artistic performance programming, with the goal of expansion as
appropriate.
• Is expected to lead and strengthen fundraising endeavors utilizing local, regional, and national
resources, while overseeing a robust fundraising initiative with individual donors.
• Will possess the ability to develop and maintain long-term relationships that will enhance the
financial, artistic, and educational goals of the Colonial.
Will continue to develop and promote the Colonial as a brand and successfully establish the theatre as a recognized leader of artistic endeavors in the region.
• Working closely with the Board, the Executive Director will be responsible for developing annual operating budgets, overseeing the assets and financial affairs of the Colonial, ensuring expenditures are in line with the Colonial’s resources, and achieving an appropriate balance between revenue generation and fundraising and overall budget management.
• Will help to develop, engage and support a strong Board of Directors and participate in committee meetings.
• Will oversee all operations and responsibilities concerning the building and grounds of The Colonial Theatre.
• Will negotiate contracts and agreements with vendors and groups using the theatre in alignment with policies established by the Board of
Directors. Qualifications: Successful Candidate:
• Will have a demonstrated track record of executing projects from conception to successful completion.
• Will have significant proven fundraising experience at the major gift level.
• Will have demonstrated connectedness within the performing arts community.
• Will be a comfortable and engaging public speaker.
• Will be action-oriented, entrepreneurial, and possess an innovative approach to business planning.
• Will be a skilled leader with a personal and inclusive management style.
• Will have an understanding of how social media can impact the Colonial.
• Will be proficient in the use of office software programs (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) and have the capacity to quickly become proficient in ACT’s fundraising and box office ticketing systems.
Experience:
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in non-profit management with a preferred focus on arts and culture organizations, particularly theatres.
• An undergraduate degree is required; an advanced degree is desirable. Experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
Compensation Package: Competitive salary and benefits
Submittal Package:
Resume
Cover letter
Three References
Portfolio of representative work associated with previous position(s)
Examples of social media use
Salary requirements
Contact:
Please email your resume and complete submittal package by Monday, February 26th to:
Kenneth B Mumma
Chair, The Association for the Colonial Theatre Search Committee
ACTSearch@outlook.com
