Managing Director

Ovation Academy for the Performing Arts in Oak Park, IL is seeking an experienced, creative, enthusiastic self-starter to serve as its new full time Managing Director. Ovation Academy is a performing arts organization that provides top-level training to kids ages 4-18, and some adults as well. Our classes, musicals, and workshops serve over 1,000 participants annually.

The Managing Director is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization. The role requires great attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and an ability to juggle multiple tasks, often on short deadlines. Knowledge or past experience in financial management, strategic planning, hiring/training staff, database management and business development/implementation is extremely helpful.  This role is tasked with increasing organic business, client retention and ensuring a positive work environment/culture. The Managing Director reports directly to the CEO of Ovation.

This position is Full-Time Exempt; Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Some evening and weekend availability required.

Responsibilities:

• With the CEO, strategically plan and oversee all programming – classes, summer camps, workshops, shows, and private lessons
• Create full season and individual production budgets and financial reports
• Manage, maintain and utilize Ovation’s registration system, Jackrabbit
• Process registration payments, ticket purchases, payment plans, and other revenue sources in a timely manner
• Hire, onboard and train new contracted instructors, directors and administrative staff
• Manage all staff – setting up daily, weekly, monthly goals and making sure they are met
• Communicate actively with clients and families, providing excellent customer service
• Secure licensing rights for all productions in Ovation’s season
• Serve as in-house bookkeeper for the organization, managing receipts and invoices, processing payroll, and keeping Quickbooks up to date
• Communicate regularly with staff of Madison Street Theater about shared space usage, rentals, and structural improvements
• Maintain company calendar as well as specific project calendars and private lesson booking calendar
• Manage the private lesson program of Ovation – parent communication, scheduling, invoicing
• In collaboration with the Marketing Manager and Social Media Coordinator, oversee the marketing of all Ovation programs
• Assist in front of house duties alongside Production Manager for all Ovation productions – running the box office, overseeing ushers, creating signage, and managing ticketing
• Order necessary office supplies as needed
• Answer phones, listen to voicemails and respond to emails in a timely manner.

Skills & Qualifications: 

• Degree in theater or communications and/or a minimum of three years’ experience in arts management
• Experience managing a nonprofit or small business
• Basic HR proficiency – hiring, labor laws, conflict resolution, management best practice
• Ability to work independently and meet daily, weekly, monthly and annual deadlines
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; public speaking experience a plus
• Project management experience with strong time management skills
• Experience working on websites and updating content in Wordpress or similar platforms preferred
• Bookkeeping and budgeting experience
• Familiarity with Jackrabbit or other CRMs preferred
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (gmail, docs, sheets, etc), Quickbooks, Canva, Constant Contact and WordPress (or similar) preferred.