Managing Director of Programs

Status: Full-time, exempt

Reports to: Artistic Director

Oversees: Program Managers and Coordinators including: Young Writers Manager, Program Coordinators, Community Engagement Manager, and Festivals and Events Manager.

About Lighthouse Writers Workshop

As an independent literary arts center, Lighthouse supports and encourages people to create inspiring art through writing, to find meaning and community, and to achieve their potential as artists and human beings. At Lighthouse, we believe in every person’s innate creativity. We believe that every person has a story to tell, and a right to tell it. We believe that the literary arts are an essential foundation of humanity, because we know that writing—from the three-minute freewrite to the published book— is an essential way to share the human condition, and enables individuals to get in touch with their deeper selves. We believe that writing connects people on a deep level, combating loneliness, fostering empathy, and finding meaning in an increasingly complicated world. We provide the space, community, and support where writers and readers can flourish.

Lighthouse is a dynamic and busy community full of literary enthusiasts, spreadsheet nerds, passionate helpers, ideas people, and hard workers. Folks who have succeeded with us tend to be highly organized, creative, curious, flexible, and goal-driven. We ask staff to work with little direct supervision, but to be highly communicative and collaborative.

We pride ourselves on being an office culture where we care about each other as professionals and people, and are looking for candidates who are excited to engage authentically with our community.

Summary

Lighthouse is seeking a Managing Director of Programs who will provide operational team leadership to execute, plan, and manage the overall vision of the organization and Artistic Director, executing a full slate of engaging workshops, classes, and events year round. This leadership position oversees the programs department to design and implement classes, workshops, and events; hire, manage and maintain relationships with instructors; assist with events and gatherings; and evaluation review.

This position will be an integral part of the executive leadership team and will work to ensure that we are achieving our strategic, financial and organizational goals through sustainable growth over the years. They will also ensure that we are operating efficiently and equitably, that we have the systems and training in place to ensure that staff and faculty have what they need to thrive, that our goals and planning are engaging and achievable, and that our staff culture is collaborative and healthy. The Managing Director will work with the Artistic Director, staff, and partners to think creatively and with entrepreneurial vision as we grow and fulfill our mission. 

Specific Responsibilities

Program Management and Development

• Execute the Artistic Director’s mission and artistic vision into actionable goals for program teams.
• Assist with strategic plan creation and implementation, as it relates to all programs.
• Oversee the lifecycle of all literary programming and offerings (e.g. adult workshops and one-days, visiting author workshops, festivals, community engagement programming, and young writers workshops)
• Approve and lead curation of Adult Session workshops, in collaboration with Artistic Director. 
• Continuously evaluate programmatic success and refine future offerings as needed.  Prepare reports that summarize findings to aid in decision making. 
• Oversee the allocation of resources, including staff, materials, and technology to ensure efficient execution of programming.
• Establish and maintain project timelines and workflows across all program areas, utilizing our project management tool, Asana, to track progress and completion of work and milestones. 
• Manage attendance tracking and data entry for all programs under management per SCFD requirements.
• Work with the programs team to develop and manage the annual budget for all programming.
• Oversee contract execution and logistics in alignment with established budget. 
• Oversee expense reporting for all programs on the company card on a monthly basis.
• Consistently work to build and maintain equitable, diverse, and inclusive programming. 
• As needed, attend and serve as emcee/facilitator for special events, salons, and readings.
• Provide support at special events and other organization initiatives, as needed.

Leadership and Team Management 

• Supervise and mentor program managers and coordinators, providing guidance, professional development, and feedback.
• Perform annual reviews and goal setting with direct reports, in alignment with strategic plan, annual work plans, and programmatic goals.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture that supports creativity and innovation. 
• Oversee programmatic internship programs.
• Work productively with volunteer staff, board members, special committees, and other staff.
• Support training efforts for new program staff members and volunteers. 

Faculty Management

• Oversee onboarding and training of new contract faculty members. 
• Oversee faculty invoice approval process.
• Assist the Artistic Director with faculty check-ins to identify challenges and opportunities.
• Evaluate faculty performance through student evaluations. Manage and coach faculty members, as needed.
• Follow up on student and faculty complaints or concerns.
• Collaborate with Artistic Director and program team to organize and oversee faculty enrichment and growth opportunities, such as trainings and personal development.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in a senior management or director-level leadership role with a proven track record of success in progressive management, financial and strategic planning, and operations, preferably at a nonprofit.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, complex projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized, with operational and team leadership experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility practices.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead across diverse teams.
• Experience with staff training and professional development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in curriculum development. 
• Strong interest in literature and creative writing.
• Excellent communication and conflict management skills. 
• Strong entrepreneurial spirit.

This position will remain open until filled. We encourage you to apply early! We will review applications on a rolling basis. 

While we do our best to outline the duties or responsibilities that are required of this position, this job description is not designed to be an exhaustive list of all activities and responsibilities. 

Lighthouse Writers Workshop is a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, where all participants, employees, and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feel valued and respected. We value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are heard. To that end, we uphold a commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment.