Program Manager

About Only Make Believe: Only Make Believe is a non-profit organization that creates and performs interactive theater for children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities in hospitals and care facilities across New York City and Washington D.C. Our mission is to bring laughter, joy, and imagination to children, fostering their creativity and resilience through the transformative power of play. We believe every child deserves a world where joy knows no bounds.

Position Summary: The Program Manager plays a pivotal role in the execution and expansion of Only Make Believe's NYC programs. This position is responsible for overseeing the coordination, logistical management, and quality control of in-person and virtual performances in New York, ensuring seamless delivery of our unique theatrical experiences. The Program Manager leads actor rehearsals, manages program inventory, contributes to strategic outreach, and fosters strong relationships with partner facilities and actors. They must possess a deep passion for Only Make Believe's mission and a genuine commitment to bringing joy to children facing medical challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

I. Program Leadership & Performance Oversight:

• Manage a small team to facilitate program goals and responsibilities.
• Manage the end-to-end coordination and scheduling of all in-person performances across New York City partner facilities.
• Lead and facilitate rehearsals for in-person performances, including casting and preparing actors to work with our specific audience.
• Develop and manage actor performance observation schedules, conducting assessments to support ongoing artistic quality.
• Oversee the collection and reporting of program data, including census and evaluation information, for NYC in-person programs.
• Contribute to actor professional development initiatives, including securing guest speakers for training sessions.
• Represent Only Make Believe as an ambassador at partner-hosted, community, and OMB-sponsored events.

II. Partner Engagement & Program Growth:

• Support strategic outreach efforts to identify and onboard new partner facilities in NYC.
• Lead initial discussions with prospective partners to explore collaboration opportunities.
• Research and identify opportunities for public facing performances in NYC, collaborating with city event organizers, theaters, and festivals.
• Manage compliance requirements and documentation for the acting team across all partner facilities.

III. Artistic & Operational Support:

• Oversee the inventory and maintenance of all program-related production needs, including costumes, props, and backdrops.
• Participate in the review and updating of existing and new performance scripts.
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of all performance data and reporting metrics into organizational systems.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Arts Administration, Theatre, Non-Profit Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in program coordination, project management, or theatrical production/stage management, ideally within a non-profit or arts education environment.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate artistic teams.
• Exceptional organizational skills with a strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders including actors, medical staff, volunteers, and families.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with database management (e.g. Salesforce) and project management software (e.g. Monday.com) is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends as required by performances or special events.
• Driver’s License highly encouraged (not mandatory).