Executive Director

The Colonial Theatre seeks an exceptional Executive Director to lead its next chapter as a vibrant nonprofit center for film, arts, culture, and community. The ED will provide strategic leadership, strengthen operations and financial sustainability, and expand the Colonial's reach and impact.

OPPORTUNITY:
Executive Director, The Association for the Colonial Theatre (ACT) — Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

A BELOVED COMMUNITY THEATRE

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

Located in the heart of downtown Phoenixville—named Travel + Leisure's #1 Best Small Town in America (2025)—the Colonial's 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 60,000 visitors annually and is perhaps best known as the home of Blobfest, celebrating the Theatre's 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.

The Colonial Theatre seeks a visionary, community‑focused, and entrepreneurial Executive Director to lead one of the Greater Philadelphia region’s most respected and cherished cultural institutions.

The next Executive Director will build on the Colonial’s rich history and strong connections to the community, shape a clear direction for its future, and expand the Theatre’s 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 Theatre’s long‑term success.

• Provide visionary leadership that advances the Colonial Theatre’s 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.

• 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 portal of top‑tier donors and prospects with significant giving capacity.
• Strengthen the organization’s and Board’s capacity to support sustained fundraising growth, deepen relationships with the Theatre’s supporters, and strengthen a culture of giving.
• Serve as the Colonial Theatre’s chief ambassador, representing the organization throughout the region and building the visibility, relationships, and support necessary to advance its mission.

• Oversee financial operations, budgeting, forecasting, and long‑term financial planning.
• Develop annual operating budgets and financial strategies that support the Theatre’s 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.

• Work closely with the Artistic Director and programming team to assess and strategically evolve the mix of film, live music, performing arts, and other…