Head of Creative Programming + Strategy

POSITION: Head of Creative Programming + Strategy
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
LOCATION: New York, NY

BACKGROUND
The Moth is an acclaimed not-for-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of true, personal storytelling. The Moth has presented more than 60,000 stories, told live and without notes, by people from all walks of life to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Founded in 1997, The Moth now produces over 600 live storytelling events each year. In addition, The Moth broadcasts its Peabody Award-winning The Moth Radio Hour weekly on 575 public radio stations along with its top-rated podcast that is downloaded over 100M times a year. The Moth has published several books, the most recent of which, How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth debuted at #6 on The New York Times Best Seller list. Additionally, the organization teaches storytelling to young people and adults alike across the globe through its community, education, and corporate storytelling workshops, bringing the power of personal storytelling to millions of people, creating community and building empathy around the world.

POSITION
The Moth seeks an innovative and imaginative Head of Creative Programming + Strategy to build upon its decades-long mission of elevating true personal stories that reveal a range of human experiences in all their richness and complexity. This person will inspire artistic and programmatic excellence across the organization and find imaginative ways to curate, elevate, and promote true, personal narratives through live events, broadcast productions, workshop programs, and strategic partnerships.


Reporting to and in partnership with the Executive Director, the Head of Creative Programming + Strategy will oversee the artistic, workshop, and production areas of The Moth, providing each existing department with clear goals and creative direction in support of the organization’s overall mission. Additionally, this person will provide artistic input on public-facing content, and develop new relationships, partnerships, formats, platforms, and distribution channels that grow The Moth’s audience and raise awareness of its workshop programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Artistic and Programmatic Leadership

  • In partnership with the Executive Director, create a vision and chart a strategic direction that builds upon the Moth’s 25-year legacy in the storytelling space, including new media content and partnerships that challenge the organization artistically and programmatically, as well as deepen its commitment to diversity, broaden its reach, and bring its stories to new audiences.
  • Mentor and nurture relationships with a broad, diverse range of story directors, workshop leads, and producers at various levels of experience.
  • Champion a culture that is welcoming, collaborative, and productive for all those involved in The Moth’s creative, production and workshop process while maintaining artistic and programmatic excellence, promoting innovation, and encouraging creativity across the organization.
  • Provide curatorial and curricular direction for The Moth’s regular programming, including live events, The Moth Radio Hour, podcasts, books, Education, Community, Global and MothWorks programs and new initiatives such as the annual Pop-Up Porch Tour.
  • Work with the Director of Production to plan, budget, and staff 600+ live events per year.
  • Assess the feasibility of potential projects and partnerships within the context of The Moth’s mission,
  • values, goals, and resources.
  • Create and develop innovative ways to disseminate artistic content that showcases stories from across the organization’s programs and ensure that this content reaches diverse audiences.
  • Set strategy for the casting and curatorial process with an eye toward diversity and narratives that are missing from the current media landscape. In partnership with the creative, workshop, and marketing teams, regularly evaluate and develop content for The Moth’s radio show, podcasts, YouTube channel, social media and other platforms that showcase stories from across the organization.
  • Evaluate and guide the strategic framework for workshop curricula, maintaining consistency across programs, with flexibility for critical adjustments that acknowledge, celebrate, and respect the communities being served. Maintain important relationships with outside partners and creative talent, including The Moth’s radio and podcast publishers and producers, book publisher, agents, and radio stations.

Organizational Leadership and Strategy

  • Lead, manage, and inspire the artistic, workshop, and production teams and foster an environment in which everyone at The Moth can grow and share new ideas.
  • Serve as a mentor and motivator for all Moth staff to create and sustain a healthy, constructive, and professional organizational culture.
  • Engage with the Board on a regular basis. Lead the Artistic Committee and co-lead the Education Committee in partnership with the Board liaisons.
  • Alongside the Executive Director, Board, leadership team, DAIC (The Moth’s internal DEI team), and staff, sustain and expand The Moth’s efforts and commitment to DEI.
  • Collaborate with the leadership team to determine performance objectives and priorities for The Moth’s growth and long-term sustainability.

Community and Relationship Development

  • Build and sustain relationships with a range of stakeholders and constituents, including staff, audiences, listeners, donors, partner organizations, community-based organizations, workshop participants and collaborators. 
  • Support the Executive Director in fundraising initiatives, donor cultivation, and relationship building.
  • In partnership with the Executive Director and the marketing team, steward the brand of The Moth, including its visual identity, audience experience, and organizational voice
  • Represent The Moth as a leading face and voice in the press, broadcast interviews, and media appearances.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal person for this role is a visionary, collaborative, and experienced artistic leader and manager, with a robust network in the creative or advocacy fields, and a passion for developing innovative, interdisciplinary programming. Successful applicants will have:

  • A proven track record of leading, managing, developing, and implementing a creative strategy in media, social justice, theater, creative nonprofits, or other relevant areas.
  • A high degree of emotional intelligence and the ability to effectively navigate a wide range of complex dynamics and relationships; significant executive management experience overseeing creative, seasoned, socially motivated teams is required.
  • Experience growing and appropriately scaling artistic programs and platforms in line with an organization’s values and strategic vision.
  • An inclusive, collaborative mindset and the ability to inspire others.
  • A passion for The Moth’s mission to celebrate the diversity and commonality of human experience 
  • through storytelling and a keen interest in ensuring those stories are heard.

COMPENSATION

$190K-$230K; final compensation commensurate with experience.• Comprehensive benefits package including paid vacation days, sick days, and retirement plan.

The Moth is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally vibrant team and strongly encourages applications from people of diverse backgrounds. The Moth seeks to hire staff who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. All positions at The Moth are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. The Moth brings storytelling opportunities to people from a variety of communities. Candidates with a commitment to supporting diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please send resume and cover letter as one PDF to MothCreative@pbrsearch.com with title format “Last Name First Name – Letter Resume”.