Job Description: Executive Director
Company: Collaboraction
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Job Category: Executive
Job Type: Director
Salary: $$50,000 -
Full-Time
Executive Director
Job Posting
Executive Director
Collaboraction Theatre
The Position
Collaboraction Theatre Company seeks a seasoned leader for the exciting role of Executive Director, who will work collaboratively with the Artistic Director and Staff to implement the company’s mission and strategic plans for growth. The ideal candidate will have experience in the arts and in the areas of business management and development, fundraising, community engagement, with a passion for social justice and the arts. They will demonstrate a strong commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA), advocacy, and a lateral leadership work culture.
The Organization
Founded in 1996, Collaboraction Theatre Company has evolved since its founding as a theatre company and non-profit arts organization. Originally started and having had a lasting presence in Chicago’s famed storefront theatre landscape, now, the company incites social change through original devised theatre and community minded multi-media engagement that cultivates knowledge, dialogue and action around Chicago's most critical social issues.
Collaboraction programs have included the Peacebook Festival, Encounter Series, The Light Youth Program, IDEA workshops, digital & educational content and a multitude of recurring performances, plays and live events. The company has grown the annual operating budget to over $500k, with a strategic plan to continue that growth and fully establish Collaboraction Theatre Company as a social justice and arts institution in Chicago. This strong financial position garnered Collaboraction Theatre Company an award of a substantial Federal SVOG (Shuttered Venue Operating Grant) in 2021 for its 2021/2022 season.
Collaboraction Theatre Company became the resident theatre company of Kennedy-King College’s performing arts center in Englewood in 2019. With their One City strategic plan, Collaboraction Theatre Company is establishing itself as a premier arts institution on Chicago’s south side. The search and creation of a new permanent home to serve as an arts and healing center on the south or west side of Chicago with Englewood and Lawndale as priority neighborhoods has begun and is ongoing.
This is an exciting time in the organization’s history and a vast opportunity for a visionary leader who can further the mission and institutionalization of this Chicago cultural leader with a combination of fundraising, partnership and community impact.
Primary Position Responsibilities
The Executive Director is a co-leader of the organization, partnering with the Artistic Director, and both reporting to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is responsible for managing day-to-day administrative activity and facilitating and enacting many long-term strategies, with the support of the Staff and Artistic Director.
? Business Management: The Executive Director manages all financial and administrative operations. The Executive Director works with the Artistic Director, General Manager, accountants and the Board Finance Committee to create, implement and track the company’s annual budget and reports. The Executive Director must be able to competently evaluate the impact of strategic decisions on other financial and institutional priorities. The Executive Director must exercise responsible stewardship of resources within the organization and ensure the distribution and allocation of those resources for the optimum balance of artistic vitality, financial strength, care for our community and institutional integrity.
? Development and Fundraising: The Executive Director is the leader of development and fundraising and creates the annual revenue plan in partnership with the Director of Development. These activities include individual philanthropy, memberships, Board relations, special events, corporate sponsors, government support, for-hire work, foundation grants, and an upcoming capital campaign. They ideally exude excitement, passion, and have the necessary skills and abilities to partner with the Artistic Director to support and communicate the organization’s mission and goals to potential funders and sponsors.
? Community Engagement: The Executive Director will lead the effort to plan and strategize community partnerships with the support of the Staff and AD; fortifying existing relationships while thoughtfully approaching and building new partnerships with organizations and individuals alike.
? Human Resources: Although Collaboraction operates within a lateral leadership model, the Executive Director is responsible for the continual cultivation of a creative work culture, the triage and facilitation of internal conflict and leading the pay equity policy. They will be the leader in resolution and accountability as Collaboraction works with both unionized and non-unionized individuals, and ensures an innovative, safe, equitable and inclusive work culture is prioritized.
? Board of Directors: The Executive Director will partner with the Artistic Director in their roles as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors. They will grow and develop the Board while supporting the Board’s leaders as appropriate with communication, recruitment, education, and Board member development. They work closely with the Board President and Artistic Director to annually co-lead the creation and implementation of a multi-year strategic plan.
? Marketing: The Executive Director is a leader in creating and implementing the Marketing plan with the support of the Marketing Manager. This includes overall branding/identity, communications, show marketing, social media, website, partnerships and promotions. With regard to research and evaluation of programs, the Executive Director also will oversee the cultivation of data that measures outcomes related to the work, such as changes in behavior and attitudes around the chosen social issues.
Qualifications
? Possess three to five years, or equivalent, relevant experience in corporate or non-profit management with experience in development, fundraising, Board relations, and marketing. Prior experience in a theatre company and/or social change agency is highly desirable.
? Eager to engage with transformational thinking and creative problem solving, leading an organization that thrives on out-of-the-box thinking, change making, and innovation.
? Demonstrate a passion for social justice, particularly around IDEA and the social concerns specifically rooted in the City of Chicago.
? Hold strong skills in budgeting, forecasting, and financial management.
? Have the capacity to lead, manage, motivate, inspire, train and collaborate with the Staff, artists, Board members and volunteers that make up Collaboraction’s community.
? Possess the ability to successfully develop and implement long-term strategic and annual tactical plans in the areas of fundraising, operations, and community engagement.
? Demonstrate experience in supervising/managing fundraising campaigns and identifying new sources and increased levels of contributed income, specifically with corporate sponsors.
? Have knowledge of marketing, advertising and public relations activities, particularly as they relate to growing ticket sales and other earned income or a willingness to learn.
? Experience and understanding of the use of data to measure impact and the ways to optimize reporting of such data.
? Demonstrate a passion for the arts and social change and the connection between a professional company and its community.
? Willingness to occasionally work evening and weekend hours in lieu of conventional work times.
Compensation
Salary: For its first year, the executive director position is budgeted at a $50,000 annual salary. Collaboraction’s intention is that this will grow as the Executive Director sustainably expands the budget in collaboration with the Board and Staff. In addition, there is an attractive compensation package of fringe benefits. This is a full time position.
The Theatre seeks to identify and hire the new Executive Director in the early fall with a start date to be mutually agreed upon shortly thereafter.
To Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume, two references, and a cover letter of introduction describing interest, relevant qualifications, and experience to the Executive Director Search Committee.
The Search Committee consists of Anthony Moseley, Artistic Director; Elsa Hiltner, Director of Development; Sarah Swift, Producing Director; and Tweed Thornton, General Manager. The Committee also includes Board Chair, Darlene Jackson; Board Secretary, Pat Merryweather; Board Member, David Cherry; and former Executive Director, Dr. Marcus Robinson.
Please send application packets in PDF Format via email to collaboraction@blveconsults.com. Please note “ED Search” and your last name in the subject line.
Nominations of qualified candidates are also welcome.
Collaboraction Theatre Company is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that is deeply committed to creating and maintaining an anti-racist organization that is equitable, inclusive, and supportive for all of its stakeholders and employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or socio-economic background. Women and BIPOC candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email us at collaboraction@blveconsults.com.
COLLABORACTION
MISSION:
Collaboraction incites social change through original devised theatre, digital content and community engagement that cultivates knowledge, dialogue and action around Chicago’s most critical social issues.
VISION:
Our vision is to incite empathy, thought, dialogue and action through original devised theatre, digital content and live experiences made in collaboration with our audience and cultivating measurable change in attitude and behavior.