Managing Director

StageAgent; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester, MA, seeks a Managing Director to oversee strategic planning, administration, marketing, development, and production support. The role partners with the artistic director to guide a vibrant season and long‑term growth.

Ideal candidate will have a college degree or equivalent, strong leadership and financial acumen, and experience in fundraising. This is a full‑time on-site position offering opportunities across governance, finance, and artistic operations.

Qualifications

• A college degree or equivalent experience.
• Organizational development and management skills.
• Leadership and relationship management experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding of finance and managerial accounting.
• Arts management training preferred.
• Experience with fundraising and development preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate long range and annual strategic planning with the artistic director, staff, and Board of Directors.
• Supervise daily administrative operations in executing the season.
• Manage all staff including recruitment, onboarding, coaching, and performance reviews.
• Maintain organizational documents: bylaws, policies, contracts, financial records.
• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and production budgets with the treasurer.
• Produce monthly board reports and facilitate board meetings.
• Liaise with Actors' Equity Association and production teams.
• Develop marketing, development, and fundraising strategies.
• Ensure compliance with state/local codes and manage facility needs.

Skills

Leadership

Relationship management

Written and verbal communication

Financial acumen

Fundraising experience

Operations management

Strategic planning

Education

College degree or equivalent experience

Arts management training

Job description

Gloucester Stage Company is hiring a Managing Director. Applications are accepted through November 30, 2026.

Strategic planning

• Coordinate and implement long range and annual strategic planning in conjunction with the artistic director, staff, and Board of Directors.

Administration

• Supervise daily administrative operations and collaborate with the artistic director in executing the season.
• Personnel management: with the artistic director, supervise all staff (coaching, mentoring, conflict management/resolution, performance management, training), recruit all levels of employees including freelance and temporary staff, and manage the hiring and termination process.
• Maintain job descriptions, employee records, the board handbook, the employee handbook, and the theater's documents (by-laws, policies, contracts, financial records).
• Maintain the photo archive of productions.
• Schedule and chair staff meetings; set duty timelines and collect reports from staff.
• Create the annual production calendar.
• Manage all insurance needs and policies.
• Collaborate with the treasurer, bookkeeper, and board on overall financial management.
• Prepare and implement the financial plan, including an annual operating budget and a long-term budget supporting the production schedule and strategic plan.
• Collaborate with the artistic director on the season's production budgets.
• Manage accounts payable and receivable, payroll and payroll tax requirements (liability payments, quarterly payments, 1099/W-2s).
• With the bookkeeper, generate financial reports.
• Manage the annual audit and 990s and ensure timely completion.
• Reconcile weekly box office cash intake with the box office manager; manage weekly bank deposits and monthly reconciliation reports.
• Manage banking and vendor relationships; pay bills.
• Create and distribute a profit and loss statement for each production.
• Maintain the AEA bond.

Marketing

• Develop the yearly ticketing strategy.
• Communicate with the ticketing agency, including negotiating the contract and ordering tickets.
• Maintain or supervise maintenance of the website.
• Organize creation and printing of all printed materials.
• Distribute or supervise distribution of performance information to media outlets at timely intervals.
• With the artistic director, manage educational and apprentice programs.

Development

• Grants: coordinate and contribute to writing grants; review grant proposals and reports for accuracy and content before sending.
• Donor development: write thank you letters, work with the board on the annual fundraising letter, maintain donor and subscriber databases.
• Provide event support where necessary.

Board relations

• With the artistic director, maintain a positive and collaborative working relationship with the Board of Directors.
• Provide the board with monthly reports on progress toward yearly goals, staff activity and financial updates.
• Provide logistical support to the board, including meeting logistics and preparing materials in advance of meetings.

Advocacy

• Build positive relationships with the community, including volunteers, donors, sponsors, public officials, and other arts organizations.
• With the artistic director, present the public face of the theater.

Facility management

• With the board, set goals for building upkeep and maintenance.
• Coordinate maintenance/repair projects (with board approval).
• Ensure compliance with state and local codes.
• Procure the annual liquor license.

Production support

• Work closely with the artistic director to provide administrative services for the production process.
• Act as primary liaison with Actors' Equity Association.
• Create production team/actor contracts, distribute and collect paperwork.
• Manage financial payment of all production staff and costs.
• With the artistic director, create an organizational checklist for all productions.
• Reconcile production receipts and manage final payments and reimbursements.

Qualifications

• A college degree or equivalent experience.
• Organizational development and management skills.
• Leadership and relationship management experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding of finance and managerial accounting.
• Arts management training preferred.
• Experience with fundraising and development preferred.
• Strong interest in the performing arts.

$68,000-$74,000, commensurate with experience.

Gloucester Stage Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive environment, and adheres to the Chicago Theatre Standards.