Sara Jean Adelman
SUMMARY
Proven manager with a history of successful executive and financial leadership in nonprofit organizations. Demonstrated ability to create opportunities for growth and position organizations to better serve the community and achieve mission-driven objectives. Creative program planner, manager and actualizer. Adept director of strategic planning, sustained by a strong foundation in finance and budgeting, fundraising, human resources, event management and operations. Collaborative leader with skills in human relations, facilitation and verified management techniques. Maintains close ties to leaders in the non-profit community and connections to foundations, government and social service organizations. Personifies a strong work ethic and a vision for creating a better world through strengthening and advancing communities.
EXPERIENCE
Director of Finance & Administration June 2018 to present
J Los Angeles (formerly Westside Jewish Community Center) – Los Angeles, CA
- Provide the day-to-day financial management, operations and administration, working closely with Board, Program Directors and Executive Director to support ongoing Early Childhood Center, school age day camp, teen leadership, family, aquatics and fitness programs
- Supervise Director of Operations, Finance and Administration Associate, Program & Membership Registrar and other administrative positions
- Partner with Director of Operations to provide direct oversight of security and maintenance contracts
- Support negotiation of partnership agreements for facility use for a girls’ Jewish high school and swim school
- Lead annual budget and independent audit process
- Prepare and present finical reports for Finance Committee and Board of Director meetings
- Manage risk evaluation and insurance policies
- Provide the human resource services for 100+ employees
- Serve as a valuable member of the external communication team, supporting the Executive Director and Marketing and Comminutions by providing direction and strategy
General Manager October 2011 to present
Interim Managing Director March 2013 to December 2013
Cornerstone Theater Company – Los Angeles, CA
- Provide the day-to-day financial management and oversight for midsize theater, working closely with Board, Artistic Director and Managing Director
- Prepare monthly financial reports for review by Budget and Finance Committee
- Supervise Production Manager, Associate Producer, Administrative Assistant, and Janitor
- While Interim Managing Director, supervised Development Director and Development Associate
- Serve as a leader of the development team, supporting the Managing Director and Development Director by strategizing and providing feedback to contracted Grant Writers, and through the preparation budgets and financials specific to each application
- Serve as a valuable member of the external communication team, supporting the Managing Director, Development Director, and Communications Associate, by providing direction and strategy
- Provide producing leadership and day-to-day operational management for all productions
Partner and Co-FounderJanuary 2009 to present
Vibrant Production Management – Los Angeles, CA
- Provide special event planning and management services to non-profit organizations
- Provide hands-on production management services, working with artists of various disciplines to create original, vivid theatrical experiences
- Deliver direct general management and producing services to arts non-profits
- Provide management consulting and facilitation services to arts organizations, on the topics of program planning, board development, fundraising, financial management, budgeting, staff management and strategic planning
- Clients include: ForYourArt, the California Science Center, The Rona Barrett Foundation, Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays, Heifer International, Watts Village Theater Company, Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble, Overtone Industries, Impro Theatre Company, Interact Theatre Company, The Medea Project, Dance Camera West, Little Fish Theatre and Shakespeare by the Sea
Director of OperationsSeptember 2008 to February 2009
LA Stage Alliance – Los Angeles, CA
- As a direct report to the Executive Director, provided supervision and management of all staff
- Oversaw the day-to-day operations, financial management, fundraising, marketing, membership, human resources and information technology
- Created, planned and executed professional development and capacity building programs for the organization's constituents
- Led a collaboration of internal and external teams through the planning and execution of Ovation Award events, including vendor and catering management, production management, on-site logistics and follow-up activities
- Guided the organization's business development, fundraising efforts and strategic planning initiatives
- Worked to build awareness, appreciation and support for the greater Los Angeles performing arts community
Managing DirectorOctober 2007 to August 2008
Director of OperationsJune 2002 to October 2007
Shakespeare Festival/LA – Los Angeles, CA
- Guided the business development, capacity building and strategic planning of the company, in collaboration with the Founding Artistic Director and SF/LA's Board of Directors
- Provided direct supervision and management of the Production Manager, Membership/Communications Manager, Development Associate and additional office and program support staff
- Managed and coordinated all theatrical, educational and fundraising program logistics
- Created, implemented and maintained new systems for organization-wide budgeting, budget tracking, payroll and invoicing, with direct oversight of a $1.5 million annual budget
- Provided oversight of development activities, including research and implementation of Raiser's Edge software
- Established annual fundraising goals and lead a grant writer in the successful execution of an annual fundraising plan, including targeted requests to individual, corporate, foundation and government supporters
- Managed and maintained a 13,000-square-foot facility in downtown Los Angeles, including a $500K facility renovation
- Managed the organization-wide human resources program, with an estimated 240 employees and contractors annually
- Managed general liability, director and officers, workers compensation and property insurance activities
- Developed and implemented the organization's technology plan
- Provided leadership and management for all SF/LA events and activities, ranging from small events, like a yearly board meeting dinner, to First Lady Laura Bush’s visit to SF/LA’s facility in the spring of 2005, to the annual Simply Shakespeare fundraising event hosted by Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks, to a Will Power to Youth performance in the U.S. Capitol, to producing an annual, three-week, union contracted, outdoor Shakespeare production that took place in two locations
Director of Ticket ServicesSeptember 2001 to June 2002
L.A. Theatre Works – Los Angeles, CA
- Managed ticket sales, subscriber relations and single ticket marketing campaigns.
Assistant to the Producing DirectorJuly 2001 to September 2001
The Actors’ Gang – Los Angeles, CA
- Assisted in the management of day-to-day operations during a massive renovation of the theatrical space and reorganization of the company's structure.
Production Manager, Master of Fine ArtsOctober 1998 to June 2001
School of Theater, Film and Television, University of California at Los Angeles
- Production managed a UCLA Theater subscription production.
- Assisted staff Production Managers in budgeting, staffing, and scheduling productions and in supervision of personnel.
Interim Production Coordinator February 2001 to March 2001
The Geffen Playhouse – Los Angeles, CA
- Contracted and scheduled designers for up coming productions.
- Tracked production spending in relationship to the production budget.
- Supervised petty cash account.
- Managed day-to-day operations of the production office.
Production Management InternJune 2000 to September 2000
The Manhattan Theater Club – New York, NY
- Assisted the Production Manager and Associate Production Manager in the scheduling, budgeting, and day-to-day operation of the Production Department during the renovation of City Center, the acquisition of the Biltmore Theater, and the Broadway moves of Proof and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.
Production Management Intern October 1999 to June 2000
The Geffen Playhouse – Los Angeles, CA
- Assisted the Production Coordinator in the management of the Production Department for the 1999 to 2000 season.
Box Office and House ManagerOctober 1999 to June 2001
School of Theater, Film and Television, University of California at Los Angeles
- Coordinated the box office through the Central Ticketing Office.
- Managed the theater department’s front of house operations.
- Trained and supervised undergraduate student box office workers and ushers.
Stage ManagerApril 1999
A.S.K. Theater Projects Spring Playwright’s Retreat – Los Angeles, CA
- Stage managed two new plays within the Playwright’s Retreat.
Stage Management Intern June 1997 to September 1997
Williamstown Theatre Festival – Williamstown, MA
- Assisted Stage Managers Roy Harris and Grayson Meritt on the Other Stage productions of La Ronde, directed by Joanne Woodward, and Broken Sleep, directed by Lisa Peterson.
Community Leadership
Co-ChairJanuary 2010 to January 2012
Arts Education Advocacy Team – Culver City, CA
- Serve the community by actively advocating for arts education
- Participate as a member of the District Community Arts Team (DCAT) in arts education planning and execution for Culver City Unified School District
- Liaison with parents, community members, school board members and educators
Grant Review PanelistOctober 2009
Department of Cultural Affairs – Culver City, CA
- Participated in review of performing arts grant applications for the 2010 cycle
Board Member and TreasurerDecember 2006 to March 2009
EdgeFest – Los Angeles, CA
- Managed organization's finances and supported grant management obligations
- Facilitated the implementation of the LA History Project
Chair of Street Fair & Music Festival
Entertainment CommitteeJanuary 2006 to November 2008
Chamber of Commerce – Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
- Led a group of community volunteers in the selection, scheduling and event management of all entertainment for the annual, two day, street fair and music festival, with an estimated attendance of over 60,000 people each year
- Managed the on-site logistics for multiple stages and entertainment programs throughout the festival
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts, Production Management and TechnologyJune 2001
School of Theater, Film & Television, University of California at Los Angeles
Bachelor of Arts, Theater Studies May 1998
School of Fine Arts, University of Connecticut
REFERENCES
References available upon request.