Managing Director

Job title: Managing Director, Ojai Playwrights Conference
Status: Part-time, 25 - 30 hours per week
Reports to: Producing Artistic Director

ABOUT OJAI PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE (OPC)
Ojai Playwrights Conference’s mission is to build a body of extraordinary new plays that reflect this vibrant and ever-changing world. We support playwrights with unique resources and a nurturing environment to develop new stories for the American theater.

Now in its 28th year, the summer Conference and New Works Festival is OPC’s primary program. Playwrights receive a two-week workshop to develop their plays, culminating in a public reading at the New Works Festival. Intern and youth programs provide opportunities for college and high school students to participate in the Conference and Festival and create and share their own work alongside professional artists.

Numerous plays developed at OPC have been produced on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in theaters across the country, including Stephen Adly Guirgis’ play Dog Day Afternoon, which will have its Broadway premiere in March 2026. OPC-developed plays also have been nominated for and won prestigious awards; most recently, Kimberly Bellflower’s John Proctor is the Villain–developed at OPC in 2024 and produced on Broadway in 2025–was the most Tony-Award nominated play last year.

In 2024, OPC launched a partnership program with theater organizations in LA and across the country to develop new work, deepening our commitment to playwrights by connecting them directly with institutions and shortening a play’s journey from page to stage. This program represents a diversification of programming and revenue—one sign of the organization’s strategic approach to moving from a seasonal to a year-round artist support organization.

POSITION OVERVIEW
Working in close partnership with the Producing Artistic Director (PAD), the Managing Director provides strategic leadership and oversees day-to-day operations. The Managing Director works alongside the PAD and Board of Directors to operationalize OPC's mission and goals while positioning the organization for a healthy future. Primary areas of responsibility include strategy, finance, and administration, and ensuring that OPC’s programmatic ambitions are balanced by short- and long-term organizational sustainability.

OPC employs eight part-time year-round staff, several seasonal program staff, and contracted theater artists throughout the year. The Managing Director directly supervises two part-time marketing/communications staff and a contracted finance manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Management & Planning

• Develop, manage, and oversee annual budgets and longer-term financial planning in partnership with the PAD.
• Oversee accounting and bookkeeping processes performed by the finance manager, including accounts payable/receivable, reconciliation, banking, and payroll.
• Monitor and manage cash flow proactively.
• Ensure compliance with all fiscal policies and regulations.

Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Partner with PAD to strategize, plan, and implement OPC programs and operations.
• With the PAD, manage bimonthly all-staff meetings; hold regular checkins with PAD and administrative staff.
• Manage and mentor administrative staff, fostering a collaborative and accountable workplace culture.

Operations & Administration

• Hire and contract staff; hire and pay contractors and vendors.
• Oversee HR functions performed by the finance manager, including payroll and benefits administration.
• Ensure compliance with applicable nonprofit laws and industry standards.
• Manage administrative systems and processes including Google Workspace, Neon (CRM), voicemail, and mail pick-up and distribution.

Board Relations & Governance

• Along with the PAD, serve as staff liaison to the Board of Directors; provide proactive, consistent communication with the Board as needed.
• Serve as primary staff liaison to the finance committee; prepare monthly agenda and reports for committee meetings.
• Create and prepare materials for Board meetings, including the agenda and meeting minutes.
• Present reports to the Board covering finance, operations, and other key areas.
• Support Board election, orientation, and development efforts as needed.

Fundraising & Development

• Collaborate with PAD and manage development staff in fundraising efforts.
• Oversee timely processing, tracking, and acknowledging of donations.
• Partner with PAD, development consultants/staff on institutional fundraising efforts.
• Help plan and prepare for fundraising events.

Communications & Marketing

• Manage communications staff and oversee execution of communications/marketing efforts to maximize engagement and meet goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 5 years of senior management experience in a nonprofit arts or cultural organization (theatre experience strongly preferred)
• Demonstrated success in organizational leadership and nonprofit financial management
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and/or marketing/communications a plus
• Experience with accounting systems, budgeting, and financial oversight
• Proficiency with database management systems (experience with Neon CRM a plus)

QUALITIES

• Strong relationship-builder with strategic mindset
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Highly organized, self-motivated, results-oriented
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the arts
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced artistic environment

STATUS: Part-time, 25 – 30 hours per week (Hours increase temporarily during peak program periods, including the Summer Conference and New Works Festival.)

COMPENSATION: $67,500 – $75,000 annually, commensurate with experience

LOCATION: Hybrid position. Candidates must live in or near Los Angeles, CA.
The role is primarily remote, with required in-person presence at events in Los Angeles and Ojai throughout the year, including approximately two weeks on-site at the Summer Conference and New Works Festival in Ojai (late July–early August).

CLASSIFICATION: This position is intended to be classified as exempt under California wage and hour law and is paid on a salary basis in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

START DATE: Flexible, with preference for earliest availability

TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references in a combined pdf to
Email: managingdirector@ojaiplays.org
Subject line: Managing Director Application – YOUR NAME

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Ojai Playwrights Conference is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on any basis, including race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, or national origin.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $67,500.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 25 – 30 per week

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ojai, CA 93023