Producing Artistic Director

American Stage Company • St. Petersburg, FL

3d

About The Position

American Stage, a professional nonprofit regional theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida, seeks a Producing Artistic Director (PAD) to lead the organization into its next half-century as it approaches its 50th Anniversary. The PAD is the chief executive leader, with ultimate responsibility for the organization’s artistic mission, operational stability, and financial health. The position reports directly to the Board of Trustees and works in close strategic partnership with the Managing Director on fiscal and operational goals and with the VP of Advancement on donor engagement and fundraising.

The PAD leads the organization as an integrated team, sets its artistic vision, oversees production and education priorities, and expands community engagement and audiences. The role includes managing an annual budget of approximately $2.4 million with the Board and Managing Director; overseeing four Mainstage productions and one large-scale outdoor musical; and cultivating partnerships, artists, audiences, and philanthropic support. The PAD is expected to be a visible community leader in St. Petersburg and to advance high-quality theatre and arts education while maintaining fiscal discipline.

Requirements

• Demonstrated success in nonprofit financial management and understanding of the relationship between fiscal discipline and artistic freedom.
• Proven track record managing professional teams, organizational structures, and accountability systems.
• Experience managing professional production complexities, including union contracts, technical requirements, and budget oversight.
• Proven experience in mission-based fundraising, including successful donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Ability to lead with influence and bring an optimistic, resilient, and balanced approach.
• Commitment to live theatre as a force for human connection and a means of uniting and inspiring a community.

Nice To Haves

• Passion for experimenting with new ways to engage audiences and a lifelong-learning orientation.
• Professional path or perspectives that bring fresh energy and strategic discipline; candidates are encouraged to apply even if their experience is nontraditional or they do not meet every listed qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead American Stage with an integrated, one-team approach across artistic, education, development, and operations functions.
• Define the organizational structure, oversee staff performance management, set expectations and KPIs, and foster accountability across departments.
• Own the organization’s financial health and partner with the Board and Managing Director to manage an annual budget of approximately $2.4 million, monitor adherence, and respond proactively to variances.
• Build a transparent, trusting relationship with the Board of Trustees through proactive reporting and strategic insights.
• Define an artistic vision that combines artistic excellence with regional relevance and community resonance.
• Oversee the production lifecycle of four Mainstage productions and one large-scale outdoor musical, from season selection through technical execution.
• Partner with the Production Manager to manage union relationships and vendor contracts within established budgets.
• Use co-productions, strategic partnerships, and innovative staging to maximize resources and produce high-quality work within a disciplined budget.
• Cultivate a diverse network of regional artists, including students, early-career talent, and experienced professionals.
• Partner with the Director of Education to integrate youth and adult programming with the artistic mission and community impact.
• Lead strategies to grow and diversify subscriptions and single-ticket sales, and to increase multi-generational loyalty and accessibility.
• Serve as a visible leader in the St. Petersburg community and support the role of theatre and arts education in civic life.
• Develop collaborations with businesses and organizations in the Tampa Bay area to increase community engagement.
• Serve as the organization’s primary solicitor and ambassador, partnering with the Board and VP of Advancement to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts from individual donors and corporate partners.
• Mentor marketing and development teams to achieve annual goals using data-driven approaches to subscriptions, ticket sales, and annual giving.
• Provide programming leadership for fundraising events and ensure their entertainment reflects American Stage’s artistic standards.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off (PTO).
• Potential relocation assistance for the right candidate.
• Direct access to an engaged and supportive Board of Trustees and a passionate community of long-time supporters.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed