OFT is seeking an Executive Director to serve as the executive manager of OFT’s business, fundraising, and financial operations. The ideal candidate will be up to the challenge of leveraging their knowledge and expertise in fundraising, board development, community relationships, organizational management, and people engagement. Candidates should be dynamic, decisive, and excel in both high performing internal management and external relations, including the ability to work collaboratively with the community.
The preferred candidate will have significant experience leading a department or organization. Additionally, they will have a record of accomplishments in team management, community engagement, and implementing equitable and innovative solutions. Candidates should have a strong commitment to racial equity, including experience listening to, and creating space for diverse perspectives. The pursuit of inclusive and just outcomes must be at the center of their professional practice.
Any questions may be directed to Interim Director, Keri Kellerman:
About Olympia Family Theater (OFT)
Olympia Family Theater’s mission is to engage audiences of all ages in performances and programs that entertain and educate. We have been serving families in Thurston County and surrounding areas since 2006. From humble beginnings, OFT has become a thriving non-profit arts organization engaging thousands of children and their families each year. To date we have produced nearly 60 shows in our mainstage season, including 5 world premieres.
Some current projects we are excited about include: establishing a brand-new all-ages performance and rehearsal space next door to our theater, and operating an Access for All ticketing initiative that offers all OFT programming on a sliding scale starting at FREE.
Executive Director Responsibilities & Duties Include:
Administrative Leadership
- Hire and manage all staff and contractors, including HR needs
- Manage the development and administration of annual operating budget
- Provide oversight and support to staff managing major OFT projects
- Evaluate and manage all contracts, policies, etc.
Fundraising & Communications
- Establish an integrated fundraising program to drive development
- Cultivate relationships with the organization’s individual, corporate and institutional supporters, and broaden the portfolio of promoters and donors
- Collaborate on grant proposals with Artistic Director
- Ensure the organization’s financial stability and sustainability by complying with fiscal and donor reporting requirements
- Edit and approve outgoing copy for communications
Board Stewardship
- Act as primary liaison between the board and staff
- Provide a report at all regular meetings of the board
- Actively participates in board recruitment, onboarding, and development processes
Financial Operations
- Manage the financial policies operations of the organization with a contract Bookkeeper
- Provide monthly financial reports to Board
- Assist with filing of taxes and other required documents
Community Engagement
- Prioritize the work of the theater to become more anti-racist, including building room in budgets and schedules for anti-racism work at the board and staff level
- Serve as a leading representative of the theater, developing relationships with the artistic community, donors, audience, and enhancing the theater’s brand with the general public.
- Cultivate relationships in the local and national theater and arts community, is an active participant in the Olympia arts community
- Build community partnerships and relationships with an eye for collaborative programming opportunities
Programming
- Collaborate with Artistic Director and Program Director to ensure all programming – from education to mainstage – is mission-aligned and cohesive in vision
Skills & Qualifications
Required Experience:
- At least 2-4 years of nonprofit leadership in a managerial or director capacity
- A track record of growing organizational capacity and programmatic impact.
- Self-driven, with optimal time management skills.
- Stakeholder management ability, including funders, supporters, volunteers, and the community.
- Experience with project planning tools to establish measurable goals and performance indicators.
- Strong financial management skills. Experience in fiscal management.
- A history of generating new revenue streams and improving financial results. Prior fundraising experience is essential.
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills: including ability to effectively communicate via reports, briefing memos, community meetings, and public speaking.
- Ability to foster an environment of accountability, respectful work relationships and partnerships, and inclusivity among organizational staff to maintain a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Ability to center the creativity of communities of color and those historically underrepresented in planning, development, and implementation of programs and investments.
- Share OFT’s commitment to an anti-racist and pro-justice practices
- Create trusted relationships and connect with community stakeholders
Desired:
- Knowledge of philanthropic community in Thurston County and the South Puget Sound
- A love for the performing arts. Please note: this role is focused on business leadership, not artistic leadership.
Compensation
This is a full-time, 40-hour per week, with a $60,000 annual salary. We provide flexible working hours, and a generous vacation policy. We do not provide health benefits at this time.
To Apply:
Email the following documents to Keri Kellerman, Interim Executive Director: . Deadline extended to August 13, 2023
- Short cover letter
- Resume
- Two personal or professional references
We are aiming for a start date of September 15, 2023. Candidates will have to pass a WA state background check.
We encourage applications from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), Women, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities. OFT is committed to being an antiracist organization and strives to remove barriers that might discourage any person from working here.
