Artistic Director
CATEGORY: Administrative
Theatre Horizon
Norristown, PA
US
Job Details
DESCRIPTION
Title: Artistic Director
Commitment: 30 hrs/week
Reports To: Executive Director
About Theatre Horizon
Theatre Horizon is an award-winning professional theatre in Norristown, PA with a $1.4 million annual budget. Our mission is to use the transformative power of storytelling to cultivate compassion, affirm belonging, and inspire collective well-being. We bring together artists, audiences, and students to imagine a more just and joyful future.
As a cultural anchor in Montgomery County, we produce an ambitious season of plays and musicals, offer nationally recognized drama programs for youth (including students on the autism spectrum), and serve as a community hub on Norristown’s Arts Hill.
Position Overview
The Artistic Director of Theatre Horizon is responsible for achieving the organization's artistic objectives by leading, overseeing, developing, and implementing the vision, concept, and execution of its theatrical productions.
In collaboration with the Executive Director, the Artistic Director will also strengthen Theatre Horizon’s relationships with local, regional, and national organizations, including community groups, businesses, donors, foundations, and arts organizations.
This is an ideal role for a highly organized professional artist who is a vision-oriented and relationship-oriented person with strong communication skills, and a passion for community-based arts.
Key Responsibilities
Artistic Vision and Strategic Planning
- Develop, communicate, and implement Theatre Horizon’s artistic vision in collaboration with the Executive Director.
- Ensure the artistic vision inspires the artistic team, Board, staff, volunteers, and audiences while upholding professionalism, respect, inclusiveness, and artistry.
- Oversee rehearsals and performances, establishing attendance policies, behavior guidelines, and addressing related concerns.
- Lead, appoint, manage, and support artistic and production staff to achieve operational goals.
- Build and maintain strong relationships and strategic partnerships with arts organizations, donors, foundations, and other non-profits.
- Collaborate with the Marketing Department and Executive Director to plan and execute audience engagement initiatives that expand reach, increase attendance, foster community partnerships, and enrich audience experiences.
- Direct one production annually at Theatre Horizon.
Production and Operations
- Develop annual season programming on schedule, planning major initiatives years in advance. Evaluate each season’s performances and strategic alliances, recommending improvements as needed.
- Collaborate with the Marketing Department to craft compelling promotional copy.
- Lead the artistic team in upholding high standards and a fresh aesthetic in a supportive, creative environment. Work with the Production Manager to coordinate all artistic and production elements, providing coaching and feedback to ensure quality.
- Establish and oversee a structured process for recruiting, auditioning, selecting, supervising, and mentoring both paid and volunteer artistic personnel.
- Manage additional production and operational responsibilities as needed.
Public Relations and Donor Cultivation
- Engage in fundraising, marketing, and community relations activities as appropriate.
- Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop artistic messaging for fundraising campaigns and strategies.
- Assist in writing grant applications and proposals to support Theatre Horizon’s artistic programming.
- Contribute to newsletters, annual reports, and other publications as needed.
Budgeting, Administration, and Human Resources
- Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop the annual production budget and forecast expenses.
- Operate within the constraints of the annual operating budget, making adjustments as needed with proper approvals.
- Prepare monthly and other reports as required for Board and Board Committee meetings.
- Set goals for paid, full-time, and part-time artistic personnel, conducting annual reviews.
- Manage additional budgeting, administrative, human resources, and board advisory responsibilities as needed.
Qualifications/Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts, Arts Management or related field preferred.
- 5+ years’ experience at a performing arts organization required. Artistic direction at a nonprofit professional theatre preferred. -Experience administering musical theatre preferred.
- Professional directing experience preferred.
- 3+ years’ experience managing people, projects and budgets. Experience with strategic planning preferred.
- Strong and diverse knowledge of principles, ethics and practices of artistic production.
- Knowledge of the greater Philadelphia theatre community and philanthropic community preferred.
- Experience working with diverse communities and advancing social justice.
- Demonstrated ability to meet goals and deadlines; must be able to lead multiple long and short-term projects simultaneously and have demonstrated success in problem-solving with ability to find solutions to diverse problems.
- Must have the ability to work in a hands-on environment with limited resources and work well under pressure.
- Must be detail-oriented with a high regard for accuracy.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills to effectively work with a variety of people and personalities; ability to communicate clearly in person and in writing.
- Experience working with board members, colleagues, donors and volunteers.
- Ability to dedicate at least 30 hours per week to the Theatre Horizon Artistic Director position with flexibility to attend rehearsals, design meetings, and events on evenings and weekends.
Compensation & Benefits
- $55,000-60,000 range annual salary for 30 hours/week
- 10 Days of Paid time off, 3 days of sick leave, 2 floating holidays
- 2 Complimentary tickets to all season productions (not including special events)
- Healthcare coverage (base plan, up to a certain amount, fully covered by Theatre Horizon), with additional options available for vision, dental, life insurance, and 401(k) participation.
- Hybrid work environment. Wednesday and Thursday required in-office days for full staff
HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered for this role, please submit the following by email to: [email protected]
Please include:
- Resume or CV - (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
- Work Samples (optional) - Links only
- Subject line containing: Artistic Director
Applications are due by February 9, 2026.
SALARY
$55,000.00 – $60,000.00 per year
HOW TO APPLY
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