Executive Director | Great Lakes Theater

Great Lakes Theater’s production of NATASHA, PIERRE, & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812.

OPPORTUNITY

Have you got what it takes to succeed The following information should be read carefully by all candidates.

Great Lakes Theater (GLT) is seeking candidates for the role of Executive Director. This appointment serves as the administrative leader of Cleveland’s preeminent classical theater and is also a key player in the unique collaborative producing model that has developed between GLT, Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.

Over the past two decades, these organizations have developed a thriving, efficient Strategic Alliance of theaters that shares extraordinary productions in three states.

The Executive Director will serve as one of the dual leaders for Great Lakes Theater, along with the Producing Artistic Director, making a major contribution to arts and culture in Ohio.

Simultaneously, through the Strategic Alliance, they will be collaborating to serve communities and artists across the country.

The robust and varied programming within the Executive Director’s core purview has its home in Cleveland’s celebrated Playhouse Square, of which GLT is a Resident Company.

In addition to this professional public programming, GLT serves tens of thousands of students, teachers, and other community members each year through deeply rooted education programming and other community outreach.

The Executive Director will join a company in strong financial shape, thanks to years of prudent management and active attention to increasing revenue.

They will support a deeply committed, experienced staff and Board who are focused on strategic ways for the organization to maximize its impact within the community.

At the same time, the Executive Director will work to improve operations, identify efficiencies, and find new pathways to success.

PRIORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director will be a co-leader of Great Lakes Theater with the Producing Artistic Director and will report directly to the Board of Trustees.

They will provide entrepreneurial, flexible, and people-centered leadership, which is dedicated to redefining, amplifying, and extending the definition of classic theater.

Compelling candidates will bring expertise in the non-profit field, from strong financial and advancement acumen and strategic thinking to a human-centric and ethical leadership style and a commitment to community connection.

Excelling in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing duties and responding to the needs of others with flexibility, empathy, and tenacity are key desired characteristics for GLT’s next Executive Director.

• The chosen candidate will have the ability to connect with and motivate a wide variety of people; will be equally at ease leading internally within the organization and as an external advocate and public face;
• and will have an open, transparent, collaborative leadership style. They will have proven fundraising experience, including strategizing and soliciting gifts and mentoring and supporting the work of the Board and development staff;

and a strong can do attitude with the ability to find joy even in challenging moments.

The Executive Director’s main set of responsibilities will include :

• Organizational Leadership / Strategy
• In partnership with the Producing Artistic Director and the Board, continually articulate and refine the strategic direction of GLT.
• Supervise, mentor, and support direct reports and all staff.
• Ensure effective and ethical management of any administrative issues, including but not limited to personnel, financial, donor, facilities, and legal issues to minimize risk to the organization and keep Board and management apprised in a timely manner.
• Serve as a key facilitator of the Strategic Alliance among GLT, LTSF, and ISF to achieve shared strategic, programming, financial, and administrative goals.
• Be a visible, active, and respected member of the Cleveland community.
• Work with Producing Artistic Director and other staff leadership to facilitate programming and artistic producing work.

COMPENSATION AND START DATE

The salary range for this position starts at $100,000 and includes a full benefits package. GLT hopes to make its decision in late summer 2024, with the chosen candidate taking on the position as soon as practicable thereafter.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following items for consideration :

• Cover letter (no more than 1½ pages)
• Names of four professional references, including email and phone contact information (recommendation letters are not required).
• Salary expectation.

All documents should have the candidate’s name as part of the file name. Each file should have the applicant’s name included as part of the file name and submitted as separate .

pdf documents. Once all materials have been submitted online, the applicant will receive a confirmation of their submission via the email address provided in the application.

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