Executive Director
Our Company
Founded in 1999, Congo Square aimed to establish a theatre ensemble embodying artistic
excellence within the American theater scene. Now comprising seventeen members, we proudly
stand as a premier African-American theatre group. Notable achievements include our
production of August Wilson's Seven Guitars, which swept the 2005 Joseph Jefferson Awards,
marking Congo Square as the first African American theatre company to receive such
recognition. Additionally, the establishment of The August Wilson New Play Initiative in 2005 has
provided a platform for emerging African American playwrights, resulting in acclaimed works like
Stick Fly by Lydia Diamond and Deep Azure by Chadwick Boseman. By nurturing this initiative,
Congo Square remains at the forefront of fostering the next generation of American playwrights.
The Opportunity
Congo Square Theatre is seeking a dynamic and visionary Executive Director (E. D.) to join our
itinerant theater company, serving as the counterpart to our Artistic Director. The ideal candidate
will bring strong leadership, strategic thinking, and operational expertise to drive the
organization's overall success. This role requires a passion for the performing arts, exceptional
organizational skills, and the ability to navigate the unique challenges of itinerant productions
and complex stakeholders.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, collaborative, and values-driven leader --
dedicated to producing transformative work rooted in the African Diaspora.
A committed Board of Directors will govern and remain actively involved in the theater's
activities. The Executive Director (E.D.), possessing capability, reliability, and initiative, will
oversee daily operations. Collaborating closely with the Board and the core team, the E.D. will
manage the team, foster a cohesive and productive culture, establish necessary operational
infrastructure, and drive forward the theater's mission, programmatic goals, and partnerships.
Reports to: CST Board of Directors and works closely with the Artistic Director and Ensemble.
Based: Chicago, Illinois- working in close partnership with the team, this is a hybrid position;
there will be occasional travel.
Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Leadership Characteristics
● The Executive Director should have excellent oral and written communication skills,
appropriate technology skills, a collaborative style of management, knowledge of
administrative and fiscal management, good business protocol, professionalism, be able
to balance several projects at once, and make use of flexible working conditions.
Key Responsibilities
● Visionary Leadership
○ Provide leadership in the planning, execution, and evaluation of artistic and
operational initiatives.
● Resource Development
○ Lead fundraising efforts in collaboration with the Board of Directors, Artistic
Director and development team, including individual giving, corporate
sponsorships, grants, and special events.
● Strategic Partnership
○ Collaborate closely with the Artistic Director to integrate artistic and operational
goals, ensuring a cohesive approach to programming, productions, and
organizational development.
● Operational Oversight
○ Provide strategic direction and oversight to the Operations , ensuring the smooth
functioning of day-to-day operations and the effective implementation of
organizational initiatives.
● Financial Management
○ Oversee the development and management of the annual budget in collaboration
with the Artistic Director, finance team and the Board of Directors.
● Board Relations
○ Work closely with the Board of Directors to provide strategic guidance, facilitate
decision-making, and ensure effective governance.
● Community Engagement
○ Serve as a visible and influential advocate for the organization within the local
community and the broader arts ecosystem.
See the areas of responsibilities section.
● Status: Full Time (40hrs/wk)
● Salary Range: $85,000-95,000 commensurate with experience
● Benefits: 2 weeks PTO, Company-wide blackout dates in July (1 week) and December
(1 week between Christmas and New Year), Juneteenth and all bank holidays off, health
insurance reimbursement stipend (max $5,300 annually), $100 monthly technology
stipend, Company Computer, 401(k) with 4% match, expense reimbursement (for
approved company expenses).
Interested candidates, please submit a cover letter and resume to
[email protected].