NOW HIRING – Managing Director

The Bartell Board of Directors is seeking candidates for the full-time position of Managing Director. Please submit a resume and cover letter to careers@bartelltheatre.org by Monday, March 30 to be considered.

Title: Managing Director
Reports To: Board President & Board of Directors
Supervises: All volunteers & staff directly responsible to the Bartell Foundation
Prepared Date: Revised March 2026

Description
The Gerald A. Bartell Community Theatre Foundation (GABCTF) is a unique collaboration among theatre companies who participate in the administration and operation of the Foundation (known as Resident Companies). Within our walls, Madison artists tell stories about themselves and their worlds. Audience members are transformed, enlightened, entertained, and invited into the conversation about our community. The purpose and mission of the GABCTF is to equip, operate, and maintain a live-performance facility created by the Foundation for the benefit of the Resident Companies, and additional performance entities of the same class, so as to assist them in carrying out the purpose for which they are organized. The Managing Director serves as the director of the Bartell Theatre Foundation and is responsible for its consistent achievement of its mission, strategic goals, and financial objectives, with the close cooperation of the Board President and the Board of Directors.

General Duties and Responsibilities
Other duties may be assigned or changed at the discretion of the Board.

• Operations: financial management, oversight of paid staff, volunteer recruitment, staff and volunteer management, house management (recruitment, training and scheduling of house management, box office and ushers for performances);
• Communications: representing the GABCTF with community associations (i.e., Downtown Madison, Inc., etc.), marketing, public relations, social media and website management;
• Promotions: rental management, and venue promotion; and
• Board Assistance: policy research, board support, and planning and goal setting, at the direction of the Board.

Operations

• Work with the external Financial Manager to prepare the annual budget and submit for Board approval.
• Manage budget to meet financial goals. Work with the Financial Manager to file annual tax reports for both the Bartell Foundation and Bartell Building Corporation. Produce and distribute monthly financial reports for the Board, maintaining sound financial practices.
• Execute all financial transactions for both the Foundation and Building Corporation, including: preparing and submitting monthly payroll, processing and paying vendor invoices, processing and delivering all bank deposits, reconciling bank statements, report and file all relevant tax reports.
• Lead all house management, including the development and training of a volunteer base to provide house management, box office, bar, and usher services for all performances.
• Oversee the Box Office Manager to ensure strong customer service and excellent performance.
• Responsible for all recruitment of all personnel, volunteer or paid, that directly serve the GABCTF.
• Actively recruit and follow up with GABCTF donors, including informing the Board of donations, thanking donors promptly and sending donation letters in early January thanking donors for full prior year donations and including our non-profit status information for tax purposes.
• Develop job descriptions, hold regular performance evaluations, and ensure sound human resources practices are followed, at the direction of the Board.
• Maintain a climate that attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse staff of top quality volunteers and employees.
• Manage the operation, maintenance, and supplies of the physical building including a permanent, non-voting seat on the Maintenance Committee. Recommend research, planning, and implementation of improvements, repairs, and renovations of the building and theater spaces. Make small repairs and conduct volunteer cleaning days. Oversees concessions, office, janitorial, and theatrical supplies and contractors.
• Apply for and maintain all applicable licenses including charitable organization, theater venue, liquor license, nonprofit status, etc. and act as liquor license agent for the Bartell Foundation.

Communications

• Collaborate with volunteers, staff, and consultants to ensure that publications, websites, and mailings include donor-focused content. Serve as primary editor and administrator of all Bartell social media accounts.
• Oversee management of ticketing, volunteer, and donor databases for the Bartell and its resident companies.
• Serve as primary editor and administrator of all Bartell social media accounts. Monitor and post on social media for Bartell, PTC, and Rental productions.
• Collaborate with Board, volunteers, staff and consultants to ensure that publications, websites, and mailings include donor-focused content.
• Coordinate paid ads for the Bartell and/or renters.
• Create or collaborate on the creation of marketing materials, including: the Bartell website, season poster and brochure, newsletters, press releases and interviews, fundraising and campaign materials, special event marketing, etc.
• Develop advertising opportunities for the Bartell.
• Attend special events and performances at the Bartell, and participate in community events as the Bartell Managing Director to ensure a positive public image for GABCTF.

Promotions

• Act as venue promoter to market, attract, and develop the Bartell Theatre to outside entities.
• Prepare and execute contracts, invoices, and necessary paperwork for all rentals for both outside entities (non-Resident Companies) and Resident Companies.
• For the Bartell Film Series, coordinate with volunteers and paid staff on set up and tear down of screen. Recruit and schedule projectionists as needed.
• Arrange for technical support for all outside entity rentals.
• Identify, develop, and recruit new Resident Companies.
• Manage the Bartell rental calendar.
• Ensure all rentals and productions conform to Bartell rules, Fire Codes and ADA requirements and complete necessary documentation when rentals are complete.

Board Assistance

• Provide assistance, feedback, and implementation of long-term plans as formulated and approved by the Board.
• Work with Bartell committees to implement and plan activities and strategies to promote the vision of the board of directors.
• Collect, prepare, and distribute all Board of Directors materials at monthly board meetings.

Qualifications
Ideal candidates will have experience with:

• Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration or related field. In lieu of a college degree, a minimum of 5 years experience in Arts Administration is acceptable.
• Prior experience that includes:
  • Administration of a non-profit organization and standard business practices
  • Management of volunteers, employees, and contractors
  • Knowledge of technical theatre and building maintenance
  • Box Office Management
  • Event Management
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and confidentiality with a focus on customer service
• Excellent verbal communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Ability to present, inform, and motivate individuals and groups about the Bartell’s mission and programs
• Ability to apply for and maintain a liquor license and license as a liquor agent.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that should be met by the individual to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties and responsibilities.
While this position is primarily an office job, the individual may be required to walk and/or stand for periods up to two or more hours. They must have clear speaking ability and sufficient hearing to be able to communicate effectively. The individual may occasionally be required to climb ladders and perform manual labor on an as needed basis.