Program Director

Wilmette Theatre; Wilmette (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilmette Theatre seeks a Program Director to oversee day-to-day operations, calendar, programming, rentals, and events. The role reports to the Board and aligns with the Theatre's strategic goals, developing initiatives and ensuring staffing and management support.

This is a full-time salaried position requiring evening and weekend hours and on-site presence with some hybrid hours. The director will manage relationships with film distributors and programming partners, supervise staff, coordinate

Qualifications

• Experience in overseeing theatre programming and rentals.
• Ability to manage calendar, film programming, live performances and events.
• Strong collaboration with Board and donors.

Responsibilities

• Oversee calendar management, film programming, live performances, rentals, and events.
• Book movies and live events with distributors and partners.
• Coordinate rentals and private events and drive related sales.
• Manage staff recruitment, training, supervision, and, when necessary, termination.
• Attend Board meetings and report on programming and budgets.
• Serve as the public face of the Theatre to donors and patrons.

Skills

Staff management

Event planning

Programming coordination

Community relations

Tools

POS system

Projectors

Servers

Lighting equipment

Job description

Program Director- Wilmette Theatre

The Program Director is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Theatre, including calendar management, film programming, live performances, rentals, and special events. The Program Director reports to the Board and collaborates with the Board to implement the Theatre's strategic goals, develop programming initiatives, ensure appropriate staffing and management support, and advance the Theatre's mission as a community center for arts and education. This full-time salaried position requires evening and weekend hours.

Programming & Industry Relations

• Manage relationships with film distributors and other programming partners, including booking movies and live events
• Monitor trends affecting independent theaters

Rentals & Special Events

• Schedule and manage rentals and special events at the Theatre
• Drive sales of high-margin rentals and private events to support the Theatre's long-term financial viability
• Maintain working knowledge of theatre operations, with the ability to troubleshoot basic technical issues involving projectors, servers, and the point-of-sale (POS) system
• Market the venue through social media, the Theatre website, newsletter, and community outreach
• Respond promptly to email inquiries and communicate clearly and professionally with current and prospective renters
• Document renters' special requests, including food, technical, and programming needs
• Execute contracts and ensure timely collections

Operations & Support Services

• Oversee support services for screenings, rentals, live performances, and special events, including sound and lighting technicians, catering/food services, inventory and rental items, concessions, website maintenance, and supply coordination

Staffing

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and (when necessary) terminate staff

Board & Community Relations

• Attend regular Board meetings and relevant committee meetings
• Brief the Board on issues affecting the Theatre, support annual budget development, and provide programming updates
• Serve as the primary public face of the Theatre; cultivate relationships with donors, patrons, and institutional stakeholders

The Program Director will be responsible for managing programming for the theatre including movies, life performances and rentals. This is a full time position that will requiring employee to be on site, with some hybrid hours.