Managing Director in Newbury

As a member of ArtYard’s senior leadership team and reporting to the Executive Director, the Managing Director will provide strategic and operational oversight at a pivotal moment in the organization’s growth. The Managing Director will ensure that ArtYard remains financially sound, well managed, and aligned with its mission as a multidisciplinary arts organization, playing a central role in shaping the systems and structures that support its artistic ambitions. They will lead all finance and business operations, including budgeting, accounting oversight, fiscal compliance, and reporting to the Executive Director, Board, and regulatory agencies. They will steward ArtYard’s facilities, guide human resources functions, and ensure that visitor services reflect the organization’s commitment to hospitality, accessibility, and community engagement. Working closely with the Executive Director, the Managing Director will help translate organizational priorities into clear operational goals, foster cross departmental collaboration, and support the execution of programs, exhibitions, and festival events. The Managing Director will play a key part in sustaining ArtYard’s creative culture and advancing its long term strategic direction, offering an exceptional opportunity to contribute to an innovative arts organization known for experimentation, community connection, and bold artistic vision.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Organizational Leadership
  • Provide strategic and operational leadership as a member of the senior leadership team, collaborating with the Executive Director to inform decision making, set priorities, and advance organizational goals.
  • Report to the Executive Director and Board on operational and financial matters, offering transparent analysis, timely updates, and informed recommendations that support effective governance.
  • Supervise the Human Resources Manager, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor, Finance Manager, IT Support, and Gallery/Theater Manager, ensuring clarity of roles, accountability, and alignment with organizational needs.
  • Support staff professional development through an equity management approach, providing coaching, training, and opportunities that promote growth, inclusion, and professional advancement.
  • Serve as an escalation point for employee relations issues, supporting resolution and organizational alignment.
  • Embrace additional organizational leadership responsibilities as required.
• Finance and Budgeting
  • Partner with Finance staff to develop, manage, and monitor organizational budgets, ensuring accurate tracking of income and expenses.
  • Lead the annual budgeting process, including oversight of the wage compensation program and long term financial planning.
  • Develop exhibition budgets with the Executive Director and curatorial team, aligning artistic goals with financial stewardship.
  • Review and monitor quarterly and annual financial reports and prepare analyses, recommendations, and presentations for Board of Directors meetings.
  • Evaluate best practices and assess internal systems and resource needs, balancing future organizational requirements with fiscal responsibility.
  • Embrace additional finance and budgeting responsibilities as required.
• Operations
  • Engage in strategic and organizational planning, fostering cross functional communication and collaboration to strengthen cohesion and operational excellence across departments.
  • Maintain a visible, solutions‑oriented presence at performances and events, reinforcing operational readiness, guest experience standards, and ArtYard’s commitment to hospitality and community engagement.
  • Gather and respond to feedback from visitors, clients, and community partners to continually strengthen operations and guest experience.
  • Embrace additional operations responsibilities as required.
• Administration and Oversight
  • Oversee property management functions, including rental tenants, vendors, and architects, and resolve any operational issues as they arise.
  • Manage building systems, maintenance, repairs, and vendor relationships across HVAC, security, information technology, deliveries, cleaning maintenance services, and capital equipment needs.
  • Provide project management for festival events, ensuring operational readiness, coordination, and execution.
  • Develop and refine systems for scheduling, event coordination, service agreements, production logistics, and vendor management to support efficient operations.
  • Oversee insurance, risk management, information technology, execution of contracts, and serve as liaison with legal counsel as needed.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
  • Maintain and communicate safety and compliance procedures, including physical work safety rules, emergency egress protocols, and required staff training.
  • Embrace additional administration and oversight responsibilities as required.

Traits and Characteristics

The Managing Director will be a people‑centered, emotionally intelligent leader who communicates clearly, listens actively, and builds trust across a wide range of stakeholders. Fluency in visual art and performance culture, and the organizational systems that support them, is essential. A commitment to equity, access, and inclusive leadership, along with the ability to foster a culture of transparency, responsiveness, and professionalism, is foundational to success in the role.

Other Key Competencies

• Planning, Organizing, and Project Management – The acumen to utilize objectives and resources to translate artistic vision into executable programming aligned with organizational goals, budgets, and logistical realities while managing multiple complex tasks, mobilizing wide‑ranging resources, and delivering desired outcomes within allotted time frames and budgets.
• Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills – The acuity to achieve shared success, recognizing and valuing individual contributions, and cultivating an inclusive and respectful organizational culture, while effectively communicating, building rapport, and relating well to a variety of stakeholders.
• Time and Priority Management – The dexterity to prioritize and complete tasks to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames, in accordance with the dynamics and nature of the performing arts.
• Diplomacy – The ability to effectively and tactfully handle difficult or sensitive issues and the versatility to modify, respond, and adapt to change and challenges with minimal resistance and maximum efficiency.

Compensation and Benefits

ArtYard offers a collaborative, supportive work environment that values innovation and inclusivity. This full‑time position is based in Frenchtown, New Jersey, with regular in‑person on‑site time required, including presence at evening and weekend performances and events. Salary will be commensurate with experience, with a stated range of $110,000 to $115,000, plus 403(b) and employer‑matched health insurance. ArtYard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes candidates regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

Requirements

Qualifications

The Managing Director will be a strong business manager who understands project management, delegation, department coordination, collaboration, and communication. A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of nonprofit arts management experience are preferred. Demonstrated fluency in operational and administrative systems and strong technical proficiency, including comfort with platforms such as Airtable is extremely desirable, and willingness to learn systems is essential. Experience overseeing cross‑functional teams, managing complex event or venue operations, and coordinating financial and vendor systems, preferably within an arts or cultural environment, is necessary. The Managing Director must also be able to meet the physical demands of the position. Equity‑centered organizational practice is highly valued, as is familiarity with community‑engaged programming. ArtYard values the many ways leadership and operational expertise are developed, both professionally and personally, and strongly encourages applications from individuals whose lived experience and diverse career paths have comparably prepared them to provide operational and cultural leadership at the highest level.