The Executive Director of Programming and Production will serve as the spokesperson of the Forest Theater in the combined roles of Artistic Programmer and General Manager. They will have a strong non-profit awareness and a solid history of programming as both producer and presenter.
They will curate and program exciting and engaging productions through collaboration, model a strong work ethic, and exhibit passion, dedication, and knowledge of the arts, education, and community. The Executive Director of Programming and Production will ensure that Forest Forward programming serves the community and delivers cultural opportunities for all South Dallas and beyond and is known to all constituents locally and regionally.
The Executive Director of Programming and Production will report directly to the President/CEO, helping to ensure the organization fulfills its mission through its innovative artistic programming, educational offerings, production, community partnerships, and staffing.
Role and Responsibilities
Artistic Programming and Production Supervision
- Develop annual programming of multi-disciplinary offerings, plays, educational programs, and curriculum, and associated year-round scheduled activities at the Forest Theater that appeal to multi-generational audiences with the nuance and context of culturally specific art.
- Foster a close working partnership with the President/CEO, ensuring that artistic decisions of the Forest Theater are made in alignment with Forest Forward’s organizational objectives to further the organization’s image and visibility, regionally and nationally.
- Nurture strong relationships with presenters and promoters by attending booking conferences, and subsequently negotiating all artist contracts and executing offer letters to agents, managers, artists’ agents, and other presenters in the field.
- Implement a vibrant and diverse annual season for the Forest Theater, recognized for its eclectic programming, featuring national touring artists, attractions, and other special events reflective of principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and access.
- Prioritize a balance of local, regional, and national touring artists and events at the Forest Theater designed to bring dynamic cultural activity to the residents of South Dallas as well as uplift the artists of South Dallas into higher awareness in their communities and beyond.
- Provide artistic leadership and guidance to all artistic teams and partners throughout the entire production process, from selecting art and artistic teams to advising and consulting with the production staff to ensure readiness for each show’s opening and run.
- Embrace and support additional artistic programming and production supervision responsibilities as needed.
Community Engagement and Education
- Serve as a spokesperson engaging with a wide variety of constituents, including business owners; schools and colleges; elected city, county, and state officials; and the media to promote Forest Forward’s artistic vision, brand, and reputation, both locally and nationally.
- Collaborate and cultivate relationships with community organizations, cultural institutions, individual artists, business owners, schools and colleges, elected officials, and community leaders in creating meaningful and long-lasting partnerships to reinforce Forest Forward’s role as a regional asset.
- Develop, articulate, and implement entrepreneurial and innovative approaches to artistic and educational programming at the Forest Theater that align with Forest Forward’s mission and values that are also reflective of, but not exclusively limited to, the Black and Hispanic demographics of South Dallas.
- Raise awareness, contribute to community revitalization, and assist in a change of perception in the broader Dallas community of the culture and the people of South Dallas through providing affordable, accessible programming at the Forest Theater for all members of the community.
- Advance the private-public partnership with the Dallas Independent School District by providing support to DISD employees, teachers, or their agents for school-sponsored events, creating opportunities for students to interact directly with the theater, at other community locations, and/or in the classroom.
- Embrace and support additional community engagement and education responsibilities as needed.
General Management, Budgeting and Strategic Planning
- Prepare the annual operational budgets for programming at the Forest Theater, as well as individual event budgets, provide tracking, maintain records, and develop financial analysis and policies regarding revenue vs. expenses vs. budget for operations.
- Oversee organizational, production, and education, budgets, controlling expenditures, creating forecasting models, developing financial analysis, as well as providing timely financial reports to the Board Finance and Executive Committees.
- Collaborate with the President/CEO and various Board committees on banking, payroll administration, and development efforts of Forest Forward while also coordinating annual, monthly, and quarterly financial reviews as required.
- Partner with the President/CEO to contribute to, oversee, guide, and implement Forest Forward’s long-term strategic planning and financial objectives based on sound financial guidelines and fiscal integrity.
- Embrace and support additional general management, budgeting, and finance responsibilities as needed.
Operations and Facilities Management
- Manage key business agreements, such as the operations management contract, and ongoing union and lease agreements utilizing relevant experience in programming, logistics, and maintenance of a multi-use multi-venue facility.
- Oversee the hiring, supervision, and mentoring of key production, education, and facility staff positions, providing professional development and growth to attract, retain, and empower highly qualified artistic, production, and education staff members and volunteers to ensure organizational growth and sustainability.
- Guide operations to ensure employees and business practices comply with regulatory and legal requirements, ensuring the facility is maintained in the safest, most creatively conducive environment possible.
- Maximize facility use and access by local and regional art groups, businesses, and educational institutions through partnerships with local groups, service organizations, and the corporate sector in service and outreach to a variety of cultural and socio-economic sectors.
- Advise and manage capital projects regarding facility maintenance, upgrades, large construction multi-year facility renovation projects, capital expenditure planning, and replacement of aging systems and equipment as needed, with an emphasis on safety.
- Embrace and support additional operations and facility management responsibilities as needed.
Traits and Characteristics
The Executive Director of Programming and Production will be a dynamic spokesperson with an entrepreneurial spirit able to ensure that programming resonates with the entirety of the South and greater Dallas communities and upholds the theater’s commitment to education, inclusivity, and diversity. They will be resilient, flexible, and positive, as well as an effective, detail-oriented project manager, passionate, knowledgeable, and organized. As a creative, innovative producer and programmer, they will be an effective communicator and consensus builder able to deliver high-quality performances and inspire teams with a clear sense of purpose.
Other key competencies include the following:
- Personal Accountability, Planning, and Organizing – The ability to demonstrate integrity and take responsibility for decisions in the process of establishing clear courses of action to ensure that work is completed effectively.
- Customer Focus and Goal Orientation – The sensitivity to anticipate, meet, and/or exceed customer needs, wants, and expectations while setting, pursuing, and attaining goals, regardless of obstacles or circumstances.
- Resiliency and Problem Solving – The dexterity to quickly recover from adversity while defining, analyzing, and diagnosing key components of a problem to formulate a solution.
- Time and Priority Management – The adeptness in prioritizing and completing tasks in order to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames while still listening to many points of view and facilitating agreements between two or more parties.
Qualifications
The Executive Director of Programming and Production will have at least two years or more of an art-focused degree and will bring five to seven years of Senior Management experience in organizations of similar size and scope, with demonstrated growth. They will have experience in and a strong understanding of general management, operations, programming, and facilities management, with a willingness to immerse themselves in the infrastructure of the organization and a commitment to the community as well.
The ideal person will have a successful track record of programming and producing multi-disciplinary performing arts and experience building projects from the ground up. Proven success in planning, negotiation, and managing people is required as a function of the artistic role. Familiarity with non-profit management is a must. Qualified professionals will understand budgeting and forecasting, have a deep understanding of theater operations and facility management, and be highly knowledgeable in all areas of production. Familiarity with the local and regional artistic communities is preferred.
Compensation and Benefits
Forest Forward offers competitive compensation, with a salary range expected between $175,000 and $195,000, and a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, 401k, paid time off, and holidays.
Applications and Inquiries
To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/forest-forward-seeks-executive-director-of-programming-and-production/. For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity, please contact:
Delilah Norris, Senior Advisor
Ernest A. Figueroa, Associate Vice President
8581 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 406
Los Angeles, CA 90069-4120
Tel: (888) 234.4236 Ext. 230 (Ms. Norris) or Ext. 226 (Mr. Figueroa)
Email: forestforward@artsconsulting.com
Forest Forward (“FF”) is committed to creating and fostering an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive for all staff, partners, vendors, community members, and board. As an organization, we embrace our employees’ differences, value their contributions, and promote dignity and respect for all.
We celebrate the richness of our community and encourage the representation of all perspectives that are reflected in our mission, programming, staff, and board. We do not tolerate discrimination, biases, or harassment regardless of race, socio-economic status, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, or nationality.
- Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway!
- Studies have shown that marginalized communities – such as women, LGBTQ+, and people of color
- – are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.
- Forest Forward is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values a diverse workforce.