Job Description

About Face Theatre : Mission, Vision, and Background

About Face Theatre advances LGBTQ+ equity through community building, education, and performance. We envision an affirming and equitable world in which all LGBTQ+ individuals are thriving and free from prejudice and discrimination. We are dedicated to being an intentionally and increasingly anti-racist organization and due to the intersectionality of our identities, we understand our work to advance LGBTQ+ equity as directly connected to other social justice movements. In all of these efforts, we are guided by our values of Collaboration, Care, Equity, Courage, Sustainability, and Joy. 

Since our founding in 1995, we have been nationally recognized for developing remarkable plays, world premieres, and groundbreaking education programs. We bring nuanced queer stories to life for audiences of all identities and our work onstage and behind the scenes is built upon nearly 30 years of collaboration with remarkable artists, young people, and emerging leaders from Chicago and across the country. 

We have a commitment to pay equity and a culture of care that is demonstrated in our practices and policies. In addition, About Face Theatre pays all staff and contractors a living wage and offers sliding scale ticket prices. Our union-affiliated work is produced with an Actors’ Equity Association Chicago Area Theatres Tier 2 contract. About Face Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group, Budget Group 2, with an annual budget ranging from $650,000 to $750,000. 

Learn more: www.aboutfacetheatre.com.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Managing Director to join our team as we enter our 30th Anniversary Season. The next Managing Director is a visionary and collaborative leader interested in the daily operations of a thriving nonprofit arts organization. A successful candidate for this role is energized by the mission, vision, and goals of About Face as well as the organization’s potential to expand its reach. They bring demonstrated experience in the requisite financial, operational, and administrative duties outlined below and can deliver within an energetic environment with lots of different kinds of people. They take initiative and ownership of their responsibilities to ensure the ongoing success of their colleagues and the organization.  

This is a full-time position that works closely with the Artistic Director and the Board of Directors on strategy and with a team to accomplish its responsibilities. This position reports to the Artistic Director who reports to the Board. The organization is thoughtfully preparing to shift into a shared leadership structure that aligns with our values and strengthens the organization. We are seeking a candidate who is interested in helping to steer that growth process. 

Key Responsibilities

The Managing Director is the primary administrator responsible for protecting and reporting on the financial and administrative health of the organization through prudent stewardship of the company resources of people, time, and money. They collaborate with the Artistic Director to develop synchronous efforts between Finance, Fundraising, and Programming. They also provide solutions-oriented systems and counsel to support internal communications and the organization’s goals. The Managing Director’s scope of work includes:

Financial Management 

• Collaborate with a Development Consultant and Bookkeeper while maintaining oversight to achieve financial goals throughout the year.
• Manage payroll, check preparation, and cash transactions.
• Provide financial projections and manage cash flow.
• Manage accounts payable and receivable, vendor payments, ticketing revenue, and rentals.
• Provide financial record keeping to support the annual audit and filing of tax returns.
• Collaborate with the Production Manager on contractual issues and payments with outside parties, including artistic contracts.
• Work with organizational systems including Quickbooks, Network for Good, and Google Workspace as well as other databases.

Fundraising and Development

• Serve alongside the Artistic Director as a primary point of contact for maintaining and building institutional and individual funding relationships.
• Collaborate with the Artistic Director and Development Consultant to provide reports and budgets necessary for grants and other funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Board Finance Committee to craft financial storytelling, including interpreting and translating financial statements for multiple audiences.
• Support bi-monthly Board meetings with financial reports and relevant forecasting.

Programming and Production

• Generate reliable financial reports to fulfill the accountabilities of each department.
• Identify resources for productions and events.
• Collaborate on processes to hire, contract, and supervise programming and production personnel including author agreements and rights negotiations. 
• Delegate tracking of  production budgets while maintaining oversight.

Human Resources and Staff Management

• Manage payroll, employee benefits, and tax compliance.
• Participate in goal setting and performance review meetings with staff members.
• Maintain relevant personnel files.

Community Relations

• Represent the organization at community building and industry events on occasion.
• Cultivate successful partnerships with related organizations.
• Maintain strong working relationships with Actors Equity Association and other unions regarding procedures and policies.

Preferred background and skills

The next Managing Director at About Face Theatre has a strong appreciation of the value of the arts and culture and a desire for a more just world. They understand the model of nonprofit theatre operations, but their leadership experience may be drawn from other sectors. In addition, they:

• Believe in the organization’s mission, vision, and goals
• Lead with community building skills
• Have experience in fiscal and operational management 
• Have demonstrated success in leading teams and managing budgets
• Understand how to transform vision into plans and plans into measurable results
• Balance short-term needs with long-term sustainability
• Are a good listener, problem solver, and communicator

We welcome hearing from candidates who may not have all of the specific experience listed above but bring transferable skills. We hope you will introduce yourself by applying and tell us more about your interest in the role.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range $70,000 – 80,000

Benefits package includes:

• Access to health insurance plan
• Access to 401k retirement plan
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Hybrid work schedule with on-site work at AFT office at 1922 West Irving Park Road, Unit 1, Chicago, IL 60613
• The Managing Director must live in the Chicago area or be willing to relocate

Instructions to Apply

We look forward to hearing from you. To apply for the position, please send an email to

Ma********@ab**************.com











with an attached cover letter that includes your desired start date and a resume or CV. For best consideration, please send your materials by August 23. Applicants advancing in the process will be invited for an interview with the search team.

How to Apply

Job Categories: LGBT. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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