GENERAL MANAGER
Supervised By: Producing Artistic Director
Employees Supervised: full and part-time staff, independent contractors, production team contractors
Classification: Exempt, Full time, Salary
Organizational Overview Albany Park Theater Project creates transformative experiences that forge an inclusive community of youth artists, adult artists and audiences to envision and build a more just, equitable and joyful world. APTP’s teen ensemble members – mostly young people of color from immigrant families – and adult artistic team collaborate to create world-class theater that amplifies and illuminates the voices and experiences of our immigrant and first-generation community. Our creative process prepares and propels teens to lead civically engaged and choice-filled lives. Our performances foster empathy, humanize challenging social issues, encourage new ways of seeing the world, and inspire action.
Opportunity The General Manager position offers an opportunity for a gifted arts administrator to find an artistic home – a place where they can bring their developed nonprofit management skills to a space that truly values their expertise and perspective, that is both well-resourced and stable but also risk-taking and incredibly ambitious. APTP is serious about nourishing and supporting its administrative staff and artists and provides a space to be challenged and grow within an atmosphere of a close-knit team.
Position Overview The General Manager role offers a highly organized, energetic, self-directed, and collaboration- minded individual the opportunity to oversee the finance, administrative, operations, HR, facilities, information technology, and entrepreneurial aspects of a company that has broad reach and an established reputation in the theater, youth, community building and social justice sectors. The general manager role supports APTP’s work to create ground-breaking, multidisciplinary performances rooted in the lived experience of immigrant communities and driven by the Albany Park Theater Project mission of social justice and enriching the cultural vitality and quality of life in the Albany Park neighborhood as well as throughout Chicago.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Management (Approximately 15% of the position):
– Serve in a leadership role guiding and monitoring the plans and goals of the organization
– Serve as an articulate, passionate, and visible spokesperson for APTP
– Participate in strategic planning. Work with staff and board to translate strategic goals into work plans
Human Resources (approximately 20% of the position):
– Manage and supervise human resources through administration of employee health insurance and benefits, orientation, and the ongoing development of personnel policies and the employee handbook
– Lead the hiring process and train and supervise assigned staff
– Participate in APTP’s work to advance racial equity, inclusion and diversity
Production Administration (approximately 15% of the position):
– Manage how productions are mounted and scheduled to align with artistic and financial goals
– Develop, manage, and monitor production budgets
– Negotiate hiring and contracting of production crew and creatives, including contracted resident and visiting artists. Oversee the work of the Production Manager, an independent contractor
– Work with artistic team in the development and implementation of new programs, including business plans, financial and HR impact, resource allocation
Facilities (approximately 15% of the position):
– Serve as primary liaison for facilities related issues
– Broker among program and admin departments the effective utilization of APTP’s in kind office, rehearsal, and performance space; oversee the management of space use
Financial Management (approximately 15% of the position):
– Oversee the organization’s finances, including budgeting, payroll administration, A/P and A/R, reconciliations, and financial reports. Oversee the work of the Accountant, an independent contractor
– Coordinate with contracted Production Manager to run and reconcile production budgets
– Ensure that cash flow and quarterly financial reports are prepared for leadership’s review
– Facilitate multiyear budgeting process, craft budget in partnership with Producing Artistic Director and Director of Development, and program budgets in partnership with staff; monitor the budget
IT, Administration, and Operations (approximately 15% of the position):
– Conduct financial negotiation with external partners and guest artists
– Conduct analysis of vendor contracts, insurance plans, human resources, facility/disaster plan
– In consultation with attorneys when appropriate, draft, negotiate and review contracts with independent contractors and partner organizations, both artistic and administrative
– Supervise Information Technology by coordinating external vendors to conduct maintenance, repair, and development of computers, phone system, and new technologies for the organization
Youth Development (approximately 5% of the time):
Contribute to APTP’s youth development goals in some of the following ways:
– Commit to building community and mutuality with teen ensemble members and other youth participants
– Commit to supporting young people’s achievement, goals and wellness
– Serve as a resource and mentor for youth ensemble members by providing assistance and support related to education, artistic, social-emotional skills, life skills and other development needs
WORK ENVIRONMENT
– This position operates primarily in a professional office environment that is not fully accessible
– This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets, and fax machines
– While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds
– This is a full-time position. Evening and weekend work is regularly required as the schedule is often determined by the shifting needs of the organization
– Some travel to off-site locations in the Chicago metro area is required
– Workplace is a smoke- and drug-free environment
– Equal Opportunity Employer. Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes. As an organization devoted to advancing racial equity and to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, and particularly of immigrant communities, Albany Park Theater Project is dedicated to building a diverse team of artists and administrators.
THE QUALIFIED CANDIDATE
Albany Park Theater Project seeks a well-rounded administrator/nonprofit management professional who is enthusiastic about contributing to a progressive arts and youth-development organization. They will be relationship-focused, trustworthy, and flexible. They will be goal-oriented and committed to the full mission and vision of APTP, with experience at organizations doing theater, youth development, and social justice work.
REQUIREMENTS
Education and Skills
– Seven years of experience working in theater management/administration
– Seven years nonprofit management/administration, and project management experience required (preference to experience in theater management)
– Four years previous supervisory experience required
– Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. Degree in theater or arts administration preferred
– Knowledge of artist/creative contractual agreements
– Previous experience developing and monitoring budgets required; sound understanding of the requirements of restricted funding and cash flow projections
– Experience working with managers and artists with diplomacy, discretion, professionalism
– Demonstrated competency in Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), calendaring and screen- sharing/online meeting applications, and a CRM database
– Demonstrated ability to work successfully with Board members and other volunteers and community leaders in a collaborative manner
– Demonstrated history of working with people from diverse cultures, backgrounds and economic strata
– Demonstrated commitment to social justice
– A current driver’s license and clean driving record preferred
QUALITIES
– Entrepreneurial spirit, creative problem solver, and strong collaborator
– Highly organized with excellent administrative skills
– Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
– Ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate multiple responsibilities
– Excellent people management skills including building and leading teams
– Calm and reassuring manner; ability to engage confidently and pleasantly with a wide range of people
– Able to take responsibility and make quick, informed, operational decisions
– Excellent written and verbal communication skills
– Progressive, positive and forward-thinking attitude
COMPENSATION
– The salary range is $65,000 – $70,000 and includes a fully employer-paid health plan, generous leave, and opportunity to see other theaters’ performances
– The position offers employer-paid professional development opportunities, and the opportunity to become part of a nurturing community and to work with one of the country’s leading community-based theaters.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your resume, accompanied by a cover letter that explains why you are qualified for this position and your interest in working at Albany Park Theater Project. Use the opportunity to share something of yourself that we won’t get from your resume alone. Please email your cover letter, resume, and salary range requirement to genmanager@aptpchicago.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered
The General Manager is an employee at will, meaning that either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time by written notice to the other. Nothing in this job description is to be deemed to create a contract of employment for a specific period of time.