Managing Director

Managing Director

MusiCoLab – Philadelphia, PA

Reports to: Board of Directors

Status: Part-time (15–20 hours/week)

About MusiCoLab

MusiCoLab nurtures new musicals and the artists who create them, cultivating a vibrant community of Philadelphia-based writers and sharing their work with local audiences as part of the wider ecosystem of musical theater development.

Established as a nonprofit organization in 2023, MusiCoLab has built a strong reputation through programs such as the MusiCoLaboratory, Spotlight Series, and New Work Showcase. The organization is entering a period of growth — building leadership capacity, strengthening fundraising, and deepening its presence within Philadelphia's creative community.

Position Overview

The Managing Director (MD) will guide MusiCoLab through its next stage of development, overseeing daily operations, fundraising, and partnerships, while supporting the board and creative team in advancing the organization's mission.

This is a hands-on role for a collaborative, resourceful leader who can manage a small but high-impact nonprofit and build systems for sustainable growth. The MD works in close partnership with the Artistic Director and reports directly to the Board of Directors, with the Board Chair serving as the primary point of accountability.

The MusiCoLab Team

The MD joins a small, interlocking team of three. Understanding how these roles relate is essential to success in this position.

The Artistic Director (AD) is a volunteer position currently held by Charlie Gilbert. The AD is a peer to the MD and also serves as a member of the board. The AD holds the relationships with MusiCoLab's writer community, tracks works in the development pipeline, runs the Monthly Laboratory and Online Office Hours, and serves as the artistic conscience of the organization. The AD and MD co-plan programming and share responsibility for production, with the AD taking the lead on production-related activities. The AD also serves as the organizational voice, writing copy for press releases, mass emails, and the website.

The Company Manager & Marketing Coordinator (CM) is a part-time paid position currently held by Madison Claus. The CM reports to the MD and handles digital presence (social media, YouTube channel, and website), archives, ticketing and front of house operations, production scheduling, and communications with talent.

The MD is expected to work collaboratively across both relationships — providing operational leadership and structure while respecting the distinct domains of the AD and CM.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership

• Work with Artistic Director and Board to implement MusiCoLab’s strategic plan
• Work with Artistic Director and Board to make essential institutional decisions, including annual operating budgets and expansion or restructuring of staff
• Pursue and strengthen relationships with partner theaters, universities, and arts organizations, locally and nationally
• Collaborate closely with Board leadership and committees on governance, fundraising and recruitment of new board members
• Hire and manage non-artistic support staff, including marketing, development, public relations and front-of-house

Operations & Financial Management 

• Oversee day-to-day administration in compliance with nonprofit best practices
• Maintain clear systems, documentation and communications that ensure continuity and accountability
• Manage budget, bookkeeping, banking, tax reporting, and financial reporting 
• Manage contracts with all vendors, including artists’ unions 

Fundraising

• Lead all fundraising efforts to expand the annual operating budget toward $100K and beyond
• Identify and pursue foundation grants, corporate sponsorships and donations from individuals
• Write and submit grant proposals, funding requests and grant reports
• Manage donor acknowledgment, appeals and stewardship activities

Programming Support

• Co-plan all public programs with the Artistic Director
• Provide logistical coordination in support of all programs, including contracts with and payments to artists and venues
• Manage marketing and front-of-house for all public programs

Qualifications

Required

• Experience managing or supporting nonprofit or small arts organizations.
• Strong project management, budgeting, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Experience with fundraising, grant writing, and donor cultivation.
• Collaborative, community-minded approach and commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Knowledge of or genuine enthusiasm for musical theater development.
• Philadelphia-based or able to engage regularly with the local community.

Preferred

• Experience as an arts administrator and/or theater producer.
• Network of contacts in the regional or national musical theater field.
• Background in development, financial management, marketing, membership, or educational programming.

Working Style

We seek a builder — someone excited to strengthen an evolving organization. The successful candidate will be organized, diplomatic, and adaptable, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution. Comfort working in close partnership with a founder-led artistic vision, and confidence bringing independent operational judgment to that partnership, are equally important.

Working Conditions

Hybrid schedule combining remote and on-site work in Philadelphia.

Evening or weekend availability for programs and events.

Occasional local and regional travel.

Compensation & Timeline

Stipend: $7,000–$10,000 annually (approx. 15–20 hrs/week).

Additional compensation and staffing growth are expected as fundraising expands.

Start Date: Spring/Summer 2026 (negotiable).