Managing Director, Public Programs: Full-time Permanent

The Managing Director of Public Programs is responsible for creating, developing, planning, and implementing multiple series of innovative and engaging programming including the well-known Author Events Series. The Managing Director leads a team that creates and ensures best-in-class programming that advances the Foundation’s broader mission to expand the Free Library of Philadelphia’s resources and to provide access to public programming that engages a diverse cross-section of Philadelphians. This division is responsible for Author Events, speaker series, and community programming such as One Book One Philadelphia. This position reports both to the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Public Programs and is an integral part of the Community and Public Programming Team. The Managing Director has three direct reports.

The ideal candidate should demonstrate a thorough understanding of public programming and arts/culture in the Philadelphia area and have a track record of developing and implementing programming that engages a diverse cross-section of the community. The Managing Director of Public Programs will be responsible for introducing innovative concepts and strategies that enhance the design and delivery of public programs. This will result in expanding the Foundation’s outreach to diverse audiences, fostering higher levels of engagement, and cultivating impactful experiences.

Responsibilities:

The Director of Public Programs will oversee multiple public programming series at the Free Library of Philadelphia, including the Free Library of Philadelphia Lectures, Field Family Teen Author Series, Free Author Events, and community programming such as One Book One Philadelphia. Additionally, this role will be responsible for securing authors for a variety of Library / Foundation events, and managing other marketing programs as requested. The Director will be responsible for all aspects of public programming including but not limited to operations, marketing, budgeting, and revenue generation. The Director will be expected to coordinate and collaborate with other Foundation departments such as Development, Communications, and Finance.

Strategy

  • Collaborate with the Executive Director and VP to articulate a unified vision for public programming series, ensuring these series align with and advance the vision and mission of both the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation and the Free Library of Philadelphia
  • Work with the senior leadership to identify annual strategic goals, track progress, and report on the impact of these series

Programming and Partnerships

  • Track cultural trends and identify important authors and speakers to secure for the various series
  • Develop, maintain, and steward strategic relationships with publishers and the publishing industry
  • Oversee program presentations, including writing program copy, introducing, and moderating program participants
  • Serve as the pre-production (run of show, honorarium) primary relationship manager with publicists, event speakers, and moderators
  • Measure and evaluate public programs, audience outreach, and engagement strategies
  • Ensure programs are initiated, executed, monitored, and delivered on time within scope and budget
  • Dedicated to remaining up-to-date with both national and local programming trends
  • Attend all program events

Marketing

  • Develop and supervise multiple strategies to promote programs to the general public and the press and be prepared to represent the various series to the media
  • Responsible for all written material for the programs including brochures, press releases, advertising, website, and other electronic communications
  • Develop and maintain a full calendar of events across the various series

Administration and Supervision

  • Develop and manage an annual budget for public programming
  • Manage direct reports ensuring appropriate and clear expectations and goals are set, monitored, and evaluated annually; provide supervision and feedback as required
  • Prepare and monitor the program budgets for the multiple author series and will seek creative ways to increase operating and endowment income through ticket sales, collaboration with other arts organizations, and fundraising

Fundraising and Resource Development

  • Foster a culture of philanthropy mindset, actively engaging in fundraising efforts organized or attended by staff, and promoting the organization's mission and values in and outside the organization including but not limited to supporting the mission of the Foundation by promoting membership and promoting and attending events when appropriate
  • Engage with members, donors, and supports in attendance at events
  • Support the Development department’s efforts to secure private, corporate, or foundation support for public programming
  • Develop and implement an earned revenue strategy to support public programming (ticket sales), YouTube/Google ads
  • Secure authors and speakers for donor cultivation and stewardship events as requested

All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree required; major in the arts, literature, or related field (Master’s Degree in Cultural Management or related field preferred)
  • Minimum 7–10 years experience in progressively more responsible public programming, cultural or arts management positions with a history of creative program planning to reach broad and diverse audiences, successful financial management, excellent interpersonal skills, outstanding written and oral communications, flexible attitude, and vision to expand an already outstanding Library program
  • Proven track record of successfully overseeing and executing programs/projects
  • Exceptional verbal communication and negotiation skills, coupled with a high level of emotional intelligence
  • Extensive experience in meticulously planning public programming and adeptly moderating discussions with panel speakers
  • Evidence of cultivating strong relationships with partners, program participants, cultural institutions, and community entities
  • Comprehensive expertise in the local and national public programming landscape
  • Extensive networking capabilities within the broader cultural programming community
  • Demonstrated understanding of resource development and fundraising, experience with earning revenue generation preferred
  • Aptitude for collaborative work within a dedicated team of programmers
  • Successful history of audience development strategies
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Flexibility for evening commitments and occasional weekends

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage Black, Indigenous, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. The organization is committed to building a community that is inclusive and equitable.

About Us:

The Free Library of Philadelphia is a 501 (c)(3) organization established in 1891, which employs roughly 130 full-time, part-time and seasonal staff. The current annual operating budget is approximately $10 million. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors. The President and Director of the Foundation is an officer for both the Foundation and the Free Library of Philadelphia, a City of Philadelphia governed agency.

The mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia is to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity. While the city of Philadelphia provides public funds for the operations of the Free Library, The Foundation has been instrumental in assisting the Library in becoming an even more dynamic and exciting institution by raising funds for the Library’s services and programs, (including literacy programs, cultural programs, after school enrichment programming for children, culinary literacy programs, workforce development and digital literacy programs, One Book One Philadelphia, Read by 4th, and the Authors Series, among others). The Foundation is instrumental in raising capital funds through private sources for the renovation and improvement of Parkway Central Library and several of the neighborhood libraries.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $110,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental Insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance

Schedule: 8-hour shift

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

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