Executive Director

Wayne Theatre Alliance, Inc.; Waynesboro (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k contributions

Free parking

Paid time off

Job summary

The Wayne Theatre Alliance, Inc. (WTA) seeks an Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for both WTA and the Wayne Theatre Alliance Foundation (WTAF). This leader will advance the theatre’s mission, guide daily operations, and serve as spokesperson to the community, donors, and stakeholders.

WTAF focuses on endowment, facilities, and long-term planning, under the direction of the boards. Responsibilities include overseeing staff and volunteers, creating strategic direction, and ensuring

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential.
• Experience in fundraising and donor relations is highly valued.
• Demonstrated leadership in nonprofit or arts organizations.
• Experience in programming, education, and community outreach is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and external relations for the organization, including fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Oversee facilities management, safety reviews, and renovation planning.
• Coordinate with governance to develop budgets and report on financial performance.
• Guide endowment management and real estate considerations for the foundation.
• Represent the theater and foundation to community partners and supporters.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Fundraising

Nonprofit leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

The Board of Directors of the Wayne Theatre Alliance, Inc. (WTA) and the Wayne Theatre Alliance Foundation, Inc. (WTAF: the Foundation is in the process of being created) seeks the next Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for both the WTA and WTAF. The historic Wayne Theatre is a major nonprofit arts organization in Waynesboro, Virginia. In 2026, the theatre is celebrating its 100th anniversary of originally opening in 1926 and its renovation and re-opening in 2016. The organization has significant regional and national visibility and is a member of the League of American Historic Theatres (LHAT). Reporting to the Board of Directors of the WTA, the Executive Director serves as a creative force and advocate for the organization within the local arts community and beyond. Reporting to the Board of Directors of the WTAF, the Executive Director serves as the individual who oversees the protection of the assets of the theatre, including its endowment and facilities.

The combined positionrequires visionary leadership and an individual committed to the theatre’s mission. The Executive Director/CEO reports to the WTA’s and WTAF’s Board of Directors through the Board Chair (presently, the same individual). The Executive Director/CEO manages the staff of the theatre (employees and independent contractors) and the volunteer corps. In addition, the Executive Director/CEO is the lead spokesperson and representative of the theatre, operations, and programs. The primary functions of the WTA Executive Director/CEO are organized around administration and education, board governance, external relations, financial and facilities management, and human resources. The primary functions of the WTAF Executive Director/CEO are organized around endowment stewardship, long-term management of facilities, and working with an investment committee and a contracted financial management firm.

About the Wayne Theatre

The Wayne Theatre has had quite a history of making an impact in its community since it first opened its doors as a vaudeville house in 1926. Its reopening in 2016 was fueled by a handful of community members who had the vision of what the Wayne could mean to the City of Waynesboro, Augusta County, and the surrounding region in Virginia. The restoration of the theatre was done by the community, for the community, and is ultimately given back to the community. The dream was that when the restoration was complete, the theatre would be a gift to the community where all ages could come together to be educated, enriched, enlightened, and enchanted. The theatre produces several shows each year; presents concerts, movies, and traveling plays; and offers numerous educational opportunities, including providing in‑school instruction, individual lessons, and other workshops through its Studio Wayne operation. In FY 2026, nearly 23,000 individuals attended performances and shows at the Wayne. Approximately 345 students participated in its educational programs (classes, workshops, school partnerships, student productions) in FY 2026, and nearly 2,450 students attended field trip programs during the same year.The theatre has an endowment of more than $2 million and an annual budget of nearly $1.9 million. There are eight full‑time employees of the theatre, including the executive director. Its operation is supported by a dedicated group of more than 350 volunteers who help host events, serve as ushers, assist with set construction, and staff the concession booth. The theatre also has an art gallery, and the facility may be rented to external organizations. Each year, the theatre’s annual gala secures more than $150,000 in philanthropic dollars to support the operation. The Board of Directors of the Wayne Theatre Alliance is comprised of 13-18 individuals, and the board meets six times a year. The Board of Directors of the Wayne Theatre Alliance Foundation, once appointed, will be the same as the WTA directors but will likely evolve over time.

Summary

The Executive Director/CEO of the historic Wayne Theatre is the chief executive officer and the leadership position responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Ross Performing Arts Center, the educational programs of Studio Wayne, and the activities of the WTA Board of Directors. The Executive Director/CEO is a strong and inspirational leader for the diverse stakeholders of the Wayne Theatre. The individual is expected to set a clear direction for the organization. The Executive Director/CEO implements and enhances the organization’s strategic goals, supports and sustains fundraising initiatives and programming, oversees programmatic decisions and development, and leads the staff for the successful day-to-day operations of the theatre.The Executive Director/CEO is a positive role model for the organization, valuing diversity and collaboration and fostering an organization that is inclusive and equitable.

The Executive Director/CEO of the Wayne Theatre Alliance Foundation is the chief executive officer and leadership position responsible for managing the assets of the theatre, including but not limited to its real estate holdings, facilities, and endowment. The WTAF Executive Director/CEO supports the activities of the WTAF Board of Directors, ensures endowment donors receive timely and appreciative reports, evaluates the effectiveness of investment strategies, and facilitates long‑term planning for the care, growth, and maintenance of the theatre’s real‑estate holdings.

Responsibilities Development and External Relations

• Provide endowment donorswith annual activity reports reflecting corpus balance, market value, and useof funds

Facilities Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive facilities management program, including a regular review of safety considerations, maintenance schedule, and renovation requirements
• Foster growth through the development and implementation of the comprehensive master plans with considerations of related comprehensive campaign efforts
• Work with Real Estate Committee to assess current and future maintenance, construction, and renovation activities and implement as appropriate

Financial Considerations

• Negotiate and monitor all facilities contracts for the theatre
• In consultation with the Treasurer (a member of the Board of Directors) and the Director of Finance, develop and present an annual budget for the WTAF for theupcoming fiscal year
• Monitor expenses and income to budget; prepare quarterly reports for review by the WTAF Board of Directors
• Complete the annual audit in a timely fashion
• In consultation with the Investment Committee, develop investment strategies and monitor the activities of contracted financial advisory firm, particularly as related to the endowment

Qualifications

• Education: bachelor’s degree, with a master’s degree preferred (in business, education,leadership, nonprofit management, or arts management)
• Experience: seven to ten years of experience in nonprofit administration
• Strong financial management skills, including experience with budget creation and oversight
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor relations, and capital campaign management
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including patrons, volunteers, community leaders, and business partners
• Experience in producing events, managing programming, and overseeing outreach programs is preferred
• Passion for arts, culture, and education, and with a deep commitment to community engagement

Personal Characteristics

• Demonstrate orientation toward performance and achievement of qualitative and quantitative goals and benchmarks
• A hands-on business sense and appreciation of the importance of the business side of nonprofit administration
• Comfortable with ambiguity; flexible and adaptable
• Charismatic, with the ability to motivate others on behalf of the theatre
• Strong team orientation, with comfort as both a leader and a participant
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of the value of the arts

Compensation

The salary range for the position is $100k-$115k, and the salary will be commensurate with experience and education. The theatre offers the following benefits: health insurance, 401k contributions, free parking, andpaid time off for sick and vacation leave.