Location:

Niceville, FL Category:

Administrative Job Type:

Full-time Posted On:

Tue Sep 1 2026 The Director - Mattie Kelly Arts Center position reports to the Executive Director of Strategic Communications. The individual filling this position is expected to play a positive leadership role in helping the College effectively manage change.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director - Mattie Kelly Arts Center provides strategic, artistic, operational and financial leadership for the Mattie Kelly Arts Center and is responsible for advancing the Center as a premier cultural resource for Northwest Florida and an integral part of Northwest Florida State College. The Director leads the development and execution of the Center's presenting, educational, rental and community programming; oversees financial performance and revenue development; directs audience development and marketing strategy in collaboration with College marketing and communications; cultivates philanthropic and corporate support in partnership with the Northwest Florida State College Foundation; and provides leadership for the Center's staff, facilities and operations. The Director is expected to balance artistic excellence, educational and community impact, audience development and sound financial management while identifying opportunities to expand the Mattie Kelly Arts Center's reach, reputation and long-term sustainability. The individual filling this position is expected to provide positive, collaborative and entrepreneurial leadership and to assist the College in effectively managing change and pursuing opportunities for innovation and growth.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership Develop, implement and periodically evaluate the Mattie Kelly Arts Center strategic plan and annual operating priorities in alignment with the mission, strategic plan and policies of Northwest Florida State College and its Board of Trustees. Provide strategic leadership for the continued growth, reputation and financial sustainability of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center as a regional destination for performing and visual arts, education and community engagement. Establish annual goals and performance measures related to programming, attendance, earned revenue, contributed revenue, audience development, facility utilization and community impact. Programming and Artistic Planning Develop and oversee a balanced annual portfolio of professional performances, educational programming, College productions, community events and visual arts programming that reflects artistic quality, audience demand, educational value, community interests and financial sustainability. Identify, evaluate, book and negotiate professional touring productions and artists for the Broadway, Artist, Children's and other presenting series. Establish and maintain relationships with agents, producers, promoters, artists, presenters and industry partners and coordinate artist routing, scheduling, contracting and performance requirements. Coordinate Center programming and facility use associated with Northwest Florida State College academic productions, choral presentations, recitals, rehearsals, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra concerts, gallery exhibitions and other College programs. Monitor national and regional performing arts trends and identify new artists, productions, programming concepts and partnerships that may enhance the Center's artistic offerings and attract new audiences. Performance Pro Forma and Financial Analysis Develop comprehensive pro forma financial analyses for proposed professional performances and other significant programming prior to contractual commitments. Evaluate anticipated artist guarantees and fees, production and technical expenses, labor, travel and hospitality, royalties, ticketing costs, marketing investment and other direct and indirect expenses associated with each engagement. Develop ticket pricing and scaling recommendations and forecast attendance, gross ticket revenue, ancillary revenue, break-even attendance, projected net financial results and potential financial exposure. Conduct scenario and risk analyses when appropriate and make programming recommendations based on artistic merit, strategic value, audience potential and projected financial performance. Review actual financial results following major performances and compare performance against projections to improve future programming, pricing and investment decisions. Financial Management and Revenue Development Develop and administer the Mattie Kelly Arts Center annual operating budget in accordance with College policies and procedures. Monitor revenues, expenditures and financial performance throughout the fiscal year and implement appropriate adjustments to maintain responsible financial operations. Establish recommendations for ticket pricing, facility rental rates, complimentary ticket policies and other revenue-related policies. Develop strategies to maximize earned revenue through ticket sales, facility rentals, sponsorships, concessions, premium experiences and other appropriate revenue opportunities. Provide regular financial and operational reports and forecasts to College leadership. Marketing and Audience Development Develop annual and event-specific marketing and audience-development strategies in collaboration with the College's marketing and communications functions. Establish audience-development goals designed to increase attendance, ticket revenue, repeat visitation and engagement among existing and new audience segments. Use ticketing, customer, market and digital performance data to evaluate audience behavior and inform programming, pricing and promotional decisions. Develop strategies for season subscriptions, group sales, student participation, community outreach, digital engagement and other initiatives designed to expand and diversify audiences. Ensure that the Mattie Kelly Arts Center's brand, programming and promotional efforts effectively communicate the quality and value of the Center and support the overall brand and reputation of Northwest Florida State College. Development, Sponsorship and External Support In partnership with the Northwest Florida State College Foundation and College leadership, identify and cultivate opportunities for philanthropic support of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. Develop and maintain relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, sponsors and community partners. Identify opportunities for corporate sponsorships, program underwriting, grants, major gifts and other contributed revenue supporting performances, educational programming, facility improvements and strategic initiatives. Assist in developing sponsorship proposals, donor presentations, grant concepts and other materials supporting fundraising and development efforts. Participate in donor cultivation, stewardship and recognition activities and represent the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at appropriate Foundation and community events. Operations and Personnel Leadership Provide leadership and direction for ticketing and sales, front-of-house operations, technical operations, gallery operations, facility rentals, volunteers and other Center functions. Recruit, supervise, develop and evaluate assigned employees and promote a collaborative, service-oriented and high-performing organizational culture. Ensure that facilities, theatrical systems and equipment are maintained and operated safely, professionally and effectively. Ensure a high-quality patron, artist, renter and guest experience throughout all Mattie Kelly Arts Center operations. Develop appropriate operating policies, procedures and service standards for Center activities. Community and Industry Relations Serve as a principal advocate for the Mattie Kelly Arts Center and represent the Center and Northwest Florida State College in the community and performing arts industry. Build effective relationships with arts organizations, businesses, educational institutions, tourism organizations, civic organizations and community leaders to expand the Center's reach and impact. Maintain active professional relationships with regional and national presenters, agents and performing arts organizations through participation in appropriate professional organizations, conferences and industry networks, including APAP and other relevant presenting-arts organizations. Identify opportunities for partnerships and collaborations that expand programming, audiences, educational opportunities and community engagement. Institutional Responsibilities Conduct all business according to the highest standards of integrity and ensure that Center operations comply with applicable laws, regulations, contracts and College policies. Complete all required College compliance and risk-management training. Maintain flexibility to work evenings, weekends and other nontraditional hours as required by performances and Center operations. Perform other duties as assigned. Benefits Health insurance for employee and dependent coverage available. College-paid basic life insurance for employee with additional coverage for employee and/or dependents at employee's expense College-paid retirement with 3% employee contribution to the Florida Retirement System (FRS) Optional dental and vision insurance at employee's expense Paid leave accrual (sick and vacation/annual leave) Paid time off for designated holidays, winter break, and spring break 36-hour, 4-day workweek (Monday - Thursday) available to many departments | 40-hour workweek | 34-hour workweek Free tickets to designated Mattie Kelly Arts Center and Raider Athletic events

Job Requirements:

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in Arts Administration, Arts Management, Business Administration, Management, Music, Theatre, Nonprofit Management, Higher Education or a related field. Demonstrated professional experience in performing arts administration, presenting, venue management, arts management or a closely related field. Demonstrated experience with budgeting, financial analysis and revenue management. Experience negotiating artist, production, performance or comparable professional contracts. Demonstrated ability to develop and manage multiple complex projects and events simultaneously. Strong leadership, organizational, analytical and decision-making skills. Demonstrated proficiency in written, oral and interpersonal communication.

Additional Information:

Classification:

Administrative 1

Grant Funded :

N Location:

Niceville FLSA Status:

Exempt Application Deadline:

Open until filled. Review of applications will begin immediately.