Transition Manager (Interim Managing Director)

Ensemble Studio Theatre; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) in Hell’s Kitchen seeks a Transition Manager for a 6-month engagement to guide leadership transition toward two Co-Artistic Directors and a Managing Director while maintaining operations.

Reporting to the Board, the Transition Manager will partner with artistic, finance, communications, development, and production staff to ensure continuity, alignment with DEI commitments, and a smooth onboarding of new leadership during this critical period.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a 6‑month leadership transition, guiding the shift to two Co‑Artistic Directors and a Managing Director.
• Maintain operational continuity and supervise administrative and financial systems during the period.
• Partner with staff across artistic, finance, communications, development and production teams.
• Report to the Board, keeping informed on progress and outcomes and align with DEI commitments.

Skills

Leadership

Change management

Cross-functional collaboration

Board communications

Job description

Transition Manager (Interim Managing Director)

Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST), an acclaimed, award-winning nonprofit developmental theatre in Hell’s Kitchen, seeks a creative and dynamic Transition Manager to join its team.

EST develops and produces original, provocative and authentic new plays, discovering and nurturing new voices and supporting artists throughout their creative lives. EST is a dynamic community committed to a collaborative process and to inclusion across all aspects of identity. We acknowledge and work to end systemic marginalization and oppression at all levels of the organization. We believe that this extraordinary support and commitment to inclusivity are essential to yield extraordinary work. EST supports and is made up of a vibrant, 600 member artistic community (“membership”).

EST’s Equity and Justice Work

Since 2013, EST has engaged in a deepening process of transformation toward becoming an inclusive and anti-racist organization. EST’s Transition Team has been leading the organization through our current leadership transition as we prepare to hire new Artistic and Managing Directors. As an historically predominantly White institution, we recently commissioned an independent study to delve deeply into every aspect of our operations and identify White supremacist practices and assumptions. Our goal is to create a more holistic, inclusive, intentional and healthier work environment. This work includes ongoing anti-racism training, and creating affinity spaces for our members, non-leadership staff, and for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ members of the EST community. For more information on our transition, please visit ESTnyc.org/artequityjustice.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) is seeking a dynamic interim Transition Manager for a 6-month period (with a possible 3-month extension). The Transition Manager will help guide the organization as it transforms its leadership systems from the current structure (Artistic Director and Executive Director) into a new one, with two Co-Artistic Directors, a Managing Director, and administrative and artistic staff realignment while maintaining operational continuity throughout. Serving largely as an interim Managing Director, the Transition Manager will collaborate with staff to execute the ensemble’s vision, mission, and goals in new play development and production while exemplifying its core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Transition Manager will work closely with the current artistic, finance, communications, development, and production staff. The Transition manager will also work with the new leadership (Co-Artistic Directors and Managing Director) and management (General Manager, Development Manager) positions as they are on-boarded. This position will maintain current administrative and financial systems to ensure continuity throughout this period. The Transition Manager reports to the Board of Directors, working collaboratively with Board officers, and will be responsible for keeping the Board informed and abreast of management progress and outcomes on a regular basis, and will be a vital thought partner under a shared leadership model. They will meet regularly with the Leadership team of the theatre, ensuring shared vision and collaboration across departments.

COMPENSATION

$5,850 / month