EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – JOB DESCRIPTION
Reports to: Board of Directors

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid/Flexible)

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
Entering its 31st year, Porchlight Music Theatre (PMT) is Chicago’s only professional nonprofit equity theater company solely dedicated to celebrating musical theater. Porchlight delights more than 30,000 patrons annually through diverse and engaging programming, including Mainstage productions of reimagined classics, recent Broadway hits, and new musical finds; the Porchlight Revisits series; the Porchlight in Concert series; and free community outreach programs like Broadway in your Backyard.

PMT has graduated to the Large Theatre tier of the Equity Jeff Awards and has been honored with 49 Jeff Awards to date. As the organization moves into its next decade, it seeks a business-minded leader to stabilize and grow its financial footing.

POSITION SUMMARY
Porchlight Music Theatre seeks a financially savvy and strategic Executive Director (ED) to serve as the administrative leader and primary business officer of the organization. Working in partnership with the Artistic Director, the ED will be responsible for the organization’s financial health, operational efficiency, and long-term business strategy.

While the Artistic Director leads the creative vision, the Executive Director is the architect of the business model that supports it. This role requires a leader who can manage a P&L with rigor, drive earned and contributed revenue growth, and professionalize internal operations. The ED and Artistic Director will serve as a united leadership voice internally & externally to audiences, funders, and community partners, ensuring that the creative vision is inextricably linked to organizational stability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Business Leadership & Financial Management
Strategic Partnership: Co-create long-term artistic and business strategy with the Artistic Director, ensuring alignment between creative vision and organizational sustainability.

Financial Stewardship: Serve as the Chief Financial Officer for the organization. Oversee all fiscal functions, including the development of the annual operating budget, monthly cash flow projections, and multi-year financial forecasting.

P&L Management: Monitor profit and loss across all cost centers. Implement rigorous expense controls and provide the Board with transparent, accurate monthly financial statements that highlight risks and opportunities.

Audit & Compliance: Lead the annual audit process and ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including grant reporting and tax filings (990s).

Business Modeling: Analyze the profitability of productions and programs. Work with the Artistic Director to structure season budgets that balance artistic ambition with financial reality (e.g., assessing the ROI of production scale, cast sizes, and run lengths).

Long-Range Planning: Lead the ongoing evolution and execution of the strategic plan, focusing on creating a sustainable business model that reduces reliance on cash reserves and stewards the growth of the PMT Board Designated Reserve Fund.

2. Revenue Generation & External Leadership
Earned Revenue Growth: Expertly lead the marketing department to maximize earned revenue through ticket sales and subscription growth. Specific focus on dynamic pricing strategies, robust group sales, and auxiliary revenue streams.

Institutional & Civic Leadership: Assist with the cultivation and stewardship of institutional relationships with foundations, civic leaders, corporate partners, and public funding agencies in joint focus with the Development Director.

Advocacy: Represent PMT in city-wide arts advocacy efforts and cultural coalitions, positioning the organization as a key player in Chicago’s cultural landscape.

Development Strategy: In collaboration with the Development Director, execute a comprehensive fundraising plan that diversifies revenue streams. Focus on securing major gifts ($50k+), multi-year corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants.

Donor Cultivation: Act as a primary “Ask” alongside the Board and Development Director. Assist with the cultivation of relationships with high-net-worth individuals and manage a portfolio of top-tier donors.

Education Revenue: Oversee and drive revenue generation from Education programming.

3. Operational Excellence & Human Resources
Contract Negotiation: Serve as the lead negotiator for all major contracts, including Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), Chicago Federation of Musicians (CFM), venue rentals, and licensing agreements.

Staff Management: Lead, mentor, and retain the administrative staff. Foster a culture of accountability and high performance. Oversee HR functions, including payroll, benefits administration, and hiring practices, ensuring a commitment to DEI.

Facilities & IT: Oversee the management of office and production facilities. Ensure IT systems and ticketing platforms (CRM) are optimized for data capture and efficiency.

Risk Management: Maintain adequate insurance coverage and safety protocols for staff, artists, and patrons.

4. Board Governance & Engagement
Fiduciary Liaison: Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors for all financial and operational matters. Equip the Finance Committee with data needed for informed governance.

Board Development: Partner with the Board Chair and Governance Committee to recruit new board members who bring diverse skills, particularly in finance, law, and corporate leadership.

Strategic Alignment: Ensure the Board is kept abreast of industry trends, union rule changes, and civic issues that may impact the theater’s business model.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
Senior Leadership: Minimum 7+ years of senior management experience in a non-profit or for-profit setting.

Financial Literacy: Demonstrated ability to build and manage complex budgets ($1M+). Fluent in balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports.

Fundraising Success: Proven track record of soliciting and closing major gifts ($50k+) and securing institutional funding.

Business Acumen: Experience negotiating contracts (Union/AEA/CFM experience is a strong plus).

Core Competencies: Strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, resilience, and the ability to speak the languages of both art and finance.