Executive Director

A BELOVED COMMUNITY THEATRE

The Colonial Theatre is one of southeastern Pennsylvanias most treasured cultural institutions and a cornerstone of the vibrant Phoenixville community.

Located in the heart of downtown Phoenixvillenamed Travel Leisures #1 Best Small Town in America (2025)the Colonials mission is to showcase the transformative power of the arts to enrich lives connect people and strengthen the cultural and economic vitality of the region.

Originally opened as an opera house in the early 1900s and later transformed into a grand movie palace the Colonial now operates as a thriving nonprofit arts organization. It has become an internationally recognized destination for independent film live performance educational programming and community engagement. It welcomes more than 60000 visitors annually and is perhaps best known as the home of Blobfest celebrating the Theatres iconic role in the 1958 classic The Blob.

Today the Colonial encompasses three distinct venues and multiple event spaces in two adjoining historic buildings. Its professional staff is committed to preserving its historic legacy while continuing to expand its artistic programming and community impact.

More information is available at .

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Colonial Theatre seeks a visionary community-focused and entrepreneurial Executive Director to lead one of the Greater Philadelphia regions most respected and cherished cultural institutions.

The next Executive Director will build on the Colonials rich history and strong connections to the community shape a clear direction for its future and expand the Theatres role as a cultural destination for Phoenixville and the region.

Growing philanthropic support will be a central priority. The successful candidate will articulate a compelling vision for the Colonial translate that vision into strategic priorities and inspire donors and partners to invest in the Theatres long-term success.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Directors responsibilities include the following:

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Provide visionary leadership that advances the Colonial Theatres mission and translates its strategic priorities into clear organizational goals priorities and performance expectations.
• Partner closely with the Board of Directors on strategic planning governance organizational development and performance.
• Build organizational capacity and leadership depth to ensure continuity and effective succession across key staff and leadership roles.

Fundraising and External Leadership

• Collaborate with advancement staff to develop and execute an ambitious contributed revenue strategy encompassing individual donors and prospects corporations and foundations.
• Personally cultivate solicit and steward a focused portfolio of top-tier donors and prospects with significant giving capacity.
• Strengthen the organizations and Boards capacity to support sustained fundraising growth deepen relationships with the Theatres supporters and strengthen a culture of giving.
• Serve as the Colonial Theatres chief ambassador representing the organization throughout the region and building the visibility relationships and support necessary to advance its mission.

Financial Management and Organizational Sustainability

• Oversee financial operations budgeting forecasting and long-term financial planning.
• Develop annual operating budgets and financial strategies that support the Theatres strategic priorities and long-term sustainability.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources and maintain sound systems and practices for fiscal management.
• Ensure compliance with applicable financial regulatory and reporting requirements.

Programming and Community Engagement

• Work closely with the Artistic Director and programming team to assess and strategically evolve the mix of film live music performing arts and other entertainment offerings.
• Strengthen the Colonials role as a cultural anchor and community gathering place.
• Expand partnerships with local businesses artists nonprofit organizations schools and community groups to broaden audience engagement and community impact.
• Promote accessibility inclusion and meaningful participation across all programs and initiatives.
• Evaluate program impact and audience engagement to inform future planning and growth.

Staff Leadership Operations and Risk Management

• Lead mentor and support a talented senior leadership team fostering a collaborative inclusive and high-performing organizational culture.
• Establish clear roles responsibilities and performance expectations for members of the senior leadership team delegating authority appropriately while maintaining accountability for organizational results.
• Build leadership capacity and a strong talent pipeline through coaching mentoring and succession planning for key organizational roles.
• Oversee human resources functions and ensure compliance with employment laws organizational policies and regulatory requirements while promoting ethical and accountable workplace practices.
• Provide executive oversight of the stewardship preservation maintenance and long-term capital needs of the Colonials historic facility.
• Oversee organizational risk management including insurance legal and regulatory compliance workplace safety emergency preparedness facility security and business continuity.

Marketing and Public Relations

• Serve as the organizations chief spokesperson and public representative.
• Support marketing and communications strategies that increase attendance membership philanthropy and public awareness.
• Strengthen relationships with media civic leaders elected officials and other key stakeholders.
  

THE LEADER WE SEEK

The successful candidate will be a strategic and collaborative leader with a demonstrated ability to grow philanthropic support lead high-performing teams build meaningful relationships and advance the organizations mission and regional impact. The ideal candidate will bring integrity accountability creativity and enthusiasm for the arts and the Colonial Theatres role in the community.

Attributes of the Successful Candidate

• 6-8 years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit arts culture or entertainment ideally with a theatre or arts center offering live performance and/or film.
• Strong knowledge of strategic planning organizational leadership and financial management.
• Demonstrated success in significantly growing contributed revenue including major gifts grants sponsorships and other philanthropic support.
• Experience leading developing and holding teams accountable while managing organizational growth and change.
• Ability to build meaningful long-term relationships with Board members donors staff volunteers and community partners.
• Excellent communication presentation and relationship-building skills.
• Passion for the arts film historic preservation and community engagement.
• Bachelors degree required; advanced degree preferred (equivalent experience considered).
  

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a full-time exempt position located at The Colonial Theatre 227 Bridge Street Phoenixville PA 19460. The candidate must be local to the region or be willing to relocate. We expect that the Executive Director will live in the community and maintain a strong visible presence in Phoenixville and the surrounding region.

The position requires flexible hours. The Executive Director is expected to attend programming and many of the live events at the Colonial which generally take place in the evenings and on weekends. The Executive Director may be required to attend meetings both on- and offsite via phone videoconference and in person.

The salary range for the position is $115000 - $135000 depending on skills and experience plus a competitive benefits package that includes: full healthcare and dental coverage; paid vacation sick leave and holidays; a matching SIMPLE IRA plan; parking pass; and free admission to movies and live performances.

All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference and background checks as determined by ACT.

TO APPLY

The Colonial Theatre has retained Dunleavy & Associates as its partner for this order to be considered please submit your resume or CV and a cover letter here.Inquiries can be directed to Patty Cook Managing Director Dunleavy & Associates at .

EEO/AAP Statement

The Colonial Theatre is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. The organization is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants regardless of race color religion age sex national origin disability genetics veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by law.

Required Experience:

Director