Managing Director - Asolo Repertory Theatre

Company: Management Consultants for the Arts
Location: Sarasota
Posted on: November 25, 2022

Job Description:

Hannah Elless and Paul Alexander Nolan in the world premiere musical Knoxville at Asolo Rep. Photo by Cliff Roles.OPPORTUNITYAsolo Repertory Theatre (Asolo) is seeking applicants for its next Managing Director, a key collaborator and administrative team leader working in concert with and supporting the vision of Asolo's new Producing Artistic Director (PAD). The Managing Director will be the primary lead for developingstrong and executable plans for sound financial management, progressive brand and marketingawareness, and deeply authentic and inspirational philanthropic efforts. Asolo's Managing Director will be tasked with advancing a culture of respect and inclusivity and will be the important link between the organization's governance and staffing infrastructure. As Asolo looks forward to expansion and exciting new opportunities and ventures into the future, the Managing Director will provide entrepreneurial leadership grounded in sound business practices that strengthen and improve upon Asolo's already high performing operations.MISSIONAsolo Repertory Theatre's mission is to "engage and inspire audiences with extraordinary theatrical experiences created with vision, passion and artistry and enhanced by deeply integrated education and community engagement programs."The new PAD and Managing Director team will be the main stewards of this mission, always weighing organizational decisions against the tenets of this directive, ensuring that Asolo's activities are fully aligned around its mission and stay on a steady course in pursuit of the highest artistic quality and achievement.BACKGROUNDThe name 'Asolo' comes from Asolo, Italy, a beautiful town tucked in the hills of the northern countryside. There, a lovely 18th-century theatre caught the eye of Everett "Chick" Austin, the first Director of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. He acquired the theatre's interior for the museum's collection in 1949. In this little jewel of a theatre, a fledgling acting company, founded by faculty of Florida State University (FSU), began performing a summer series of plays and operas, first as the Asolo Theatre Festival and later as the Asolo Theatre Company.As the company grew into a year-round operation, it was recognized as the first State Theatre of Florida, and later became a founding member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres (LORT). In 1973, the theatre officially partnered with the FSU School of Theatre to mentor the actors in its MFA program - a relationship which became the highly acclaimed FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training and continues to be a defining part of Asolo's operations.The Asolo outgrew the Ringling's Historic Asolo Theater, and now operates from the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, where it has enjoyed notable success. As an independent 501C3 organization, the Asolo performs a season of play and musical theatre in two spaces, the 535-seat Mertz Theatre and the 161-seat Cook Theatre. The company operates on a LORT B contract and has a 55-member Board of Directors. More about Asolo Repertory Theatre can be found at https://www.asolorep.org/ .SARASOTA, FLSarasota is a resort community located on the southwestern gulf coast of Florida. The city is popular for its rich cultural life, expansive beaches, and excellent food and nightlife culture. Sarasota is part of the greater Sarasota-Manatee region with a growing population topping 800,000 in 2021. Legendary circus entrepreneur John Ringling made Sarasota his winter home, and he and his brother Charles are credited with much of the city's development because of their investment in real estate and the general quality of life of the area in the early 1900s. Sarasota boasts a robust environment for arts and culture with companies like Sarasota Opera, Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Orchestra, Florida Studio Theatre, Westcoast Black Theatre, Sarasota Art Museum, The Ringling, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and others joining Asolo in defining the city as an impressive home for a wide range of offerings. More about Sarasota can be found at https://www.visitsarasota.com/ .CURRENT ENVIRONMENTLike other performing arts organizations, Asolo has navigated the complexities of producing through the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2020-2021 Season, Asolo presented a series of outdoor performances, keeping audiences engaged and pivoting successfully in the face of challenge. The company has emerged triumphantly this season with a full lineup of plays and musicals, notably presenting the world premiere musical KNOXVILLE, written by the esteemed team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty and directed by legendary resident stage director Frank Galati. Also presented by arrangement with Hunter Arnold and Tom Kirdahy, the hilarious new musical HOOD brought together playwright Douglas Carter Beane with Lyricist Lewis Flinn to present this hilarious musical adventure directed by Mark Brokaw. The 2022-2023 Season continues Asolo's tradition of presenting a mix of comedy, drama, and musical fare with a full lineup of multiple productions running November through June.Asolo has a long-term rental arrangement with FSU, who owns the FSU Center for the Performing Arts where the company performs. Asolo currently does not offer performances from July through October. Asolo's long-term relationship with FSU continues with the company's support of the Asolo Conservatory, a graduate training program in which acting students are guaranteed professional experience working in Asolo productions, both with education touring experiences and on the mainstage.The company has an extensive costume shop and costume collection and operates a production facility (36,963 sq. ft.) in the Robert and Beverly Koski Center where it builds its own sets and serves the needs of clients in the live entertainment industry. A new facility (the Koski II, 33,337 sq. ft.) is currently being built adjacent to this scenic shop and is ultimately envisioned as Asolo's primary home for rehearsals and all costume, prop, and scenic needs. This facility is expected to be an incubator for outside producers to work on shows that have the potential to reach Broadway. Phase one (9,337 sq. ft.) of this extensive building project is near completion. The new "super-rehearsal-hall," a dynamic setting capable of housing an entire Asolo mainstage physical production for rehearsals, opens this summer with Asolo's 2022-2023 season opener of CABARET being the first production to rehearse in this new extraordinary space. An ongoing capital campaign to finish the fully planned facility will be part of the incoming Producing Artistic Director's and Managing Director's set of responsibilities, with approximately $7 million left to raise to satisfy the current plans.Asolo currently operates on an annual budget of around $11 Million and has a $25 Million endowment that supports annual operations. The company is debt-free and owns thirteen residential condominium units used to house visiting artists, in addition to its production facilities. An ongoing challenge for Asolo is in securing adequate housing for its guest artists, and the future will likely call for a new focus on developing more housing as Asolo continues to attract top tier talent from around the country. In the crowded philanthropic community that is Sarasota, Asolo will need to ramp up its development efforts in the coming years to succeed on its current capital campaign, build up more contributed support for ongoing operations, and add to its endowment.POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIESAsolo's Managing Director will be the second-in-command to the new incoming Producing Artistic Director and will lead all the administrative functions of the theatre. The Managing Director will work first from a place of deep collaboration and will intuitively understand how to move decisions forward through a consensus-based approach to management. Understanding of not-for-profit performing arts operations is a highly desirable trait for the next Managing Director, but the next Managing Director should also possess an appetite for discovery and a thirst for addressing opportunities and challenges through progressive approaches to business development. A clear and focused commitment to Sarasota's civic and philanthropic community, as well as working closely with the PAD in fund raising for the theatre, will be essential for success in this role. Primary responsibilities of the Managing Director include:Management and AdministrationServing as Asolo's top administrative manager, the Managing Director will:Provide decisive leadership around all administrative functions, policies, and procedures.Review and evaluate staff on a regular basis and offer mentorship and support to Asolo's administrative team.Ensure that Asolo's workplace culture is equitable, inclusive, and accessible and is attractive for long-term commitments by talented administrative staff.Set the tone for an "open door" work ethic by being an accessible and present leader.Offer perspective on new management practices and infrastructure changes in order to better position the Asolo in executing all plans as they relate to the support and promotion of artistic programming.Develop and maintain a good working knowledge of the Tessitura Network, the enterprise software used by the theatre.Ensure that Asolo maintains strong relations and is in compliance with all applicable contracts and negotiated relationships with affiliated organizations (including Florida State University, industry unions and agencies such as Actors Equity, SDC, IATSE, etc.).Take a leadership role in all planning for continuing development of the Koski II capital project.Financial Oversight and PlanningAs the chief financial steward of Asolo's business affairs, the Managing Director will:Lead the development of all operational and capital budgeting plans to ensure the theatre's budget is met or exceeded.Ensure that financial reporting is useful and functional for Asolo's stakeholders (Board of Directors, staff, and key supporters).Serve as the key point of contact for budget management on the staff level working closely with Asolo's Finance Committee.Manage Asolo's finance team and ensure timely reporting and reconciliation of all financial transactions.Resource Development and PhilanthropyWith a strong focus on earned and contributed revenue, the Managing director will:Work across the organization to set realistic but challenging revenue goals.Enthusiastically serve as a major gifts leader for Asolo, developing and nurturing deeply impactful philanthropic relationships with individuals, foundations, and corporate interests who can provide important fundraising support to all operations.Seek out new opportunities for relationships with commercial producers that will benefit Asolo's bottom line.Communications and Community OutreachIn support of Asolo's efforts to be an open, accessible, and transparent organization, The Managing Director will:Enthusiastically be involved in the greater civic and cultural community of Sarasota, FL as a key Asolo ambassador.Clarify Asolo's DEI values and ensure that they are part of all execution plans related to messaging and outreach.Communicate new operational developments, both internally to the Board and Staff level and externally to Asolo's greater community.Find new ways for Asolo to become part of the national conversation around the future of producing live entertainment and expand Asolo's network of influence in that effort.Asolo also is seeking the following characteristics and traits in its new Managing Director:A calm and measured approach to management.A collaborative spirit, someone who gains energy working with groups and breaking down silos.A real sense of satisfaction in mentoring others to perform at their best and find new ways to express their talents.A generous spirit, someone who is warm and welcoming in their demeanor.Encourage and embrace different points of view.COMPENSATION AND START DATEThe annual salary range for the Managing Director role at Asolo Repertory Theatre starts at $225,000.00, plus incentive bonus, and includes a full benefit package commensurate with other organizations of its size. Asolo Repertory Theatre hopes to make its decision by late Fall of 2022 with the chosen candidate transitioning into the position during the 2022-2023 season. The hiring decision will be made by the Board in consultation with the new Producing Artistic Director.Asolo Repertory Theatre is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.HOW TO APPLY -Jonathan West and David Mallette make up the team from Management Consultants for the Arts leading this important search. To be considered for this position, you must submit pertinent information including name, contact information, and salary requirement and attach a current r--sum--, a cover letter (no more than 1 - pages), and four professional references (name, work relationship, email, phone) using the online application system. Once all materials have been submitted online, the applicant will receive a confirmation of their submission via the email address provided in the application. For clarification on any of this information, please contact Christy Wall at cwall@mcaonline.com .Sign up for announcements on current searches and news and updates from MCA.

Keywords: Management Consultants for the Arts, Sarasota , Managing Director - Asolo Repertory Theatre, Accounting, Auditing , Sarasota, Florida