The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) is partnering with Good Insight, a national executive search firm for nonprofits, on a search for an Executive Director to lead the nation's largest association for educational theatre. Interested candidates can find the full job announcement here:

https://tinyurl.com/EdTA-ED-Search

Founded in 1929, EdTA has inspired generations through its mission to shape lives through theatre. The association is composed of over 130,000 members that include professional educators, teaching artists, and student thespians. With connections to 5,000 schools across all 50 states, EdTA is powered by a national network of chapters that support affiliated school theatre programs, student troupes, peer support for theatre educators, and advocacy initiatives. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers – a large percentage of whom are classroom teachers – provide countless hours supporting peers and planning and implementing events, workshops, and competitions for students. 

Over its ninety-year history, EdTA has become the go-to resource for theatre educators through:

• Student Engagement: EdTA is best known for the International Thespian Society (ITS), an honor society that has inducted nearly 2.5 million theatre students since 1929. 
• Teacher Resources: Annual conferences, online workshops, publications, and networking help educators navigate the complex theatre education landscape. 
• Policy and Advocacy: EdTA is a leading voice for the field of theatre education, representing the views and interests of its members through direct and ongoing contact with elected officials, government agencies, and collaborations with fellow arts nonprofits. 
• Philanthropic Support: The Educational Theatre Foundation complements the association’s mission by increasing access and support to school theatre programs in need. The Executive Director oversees the foundation’s activities and is the President of its Board of Trustees.

EdTA, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is governed by a democratic membership structure represented by the board. The Executive Director reports to EdTA’s governing board and serves in an ex officio capacity. The Executive Director oversees 29 professionals and supervises a five-member management team responsible for operations, external affairs, and membership. EdTA is headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, with the majority of employees working remotely as a result of COVID-19; a quarter reside outside of Cincinnati.

The next Executive Director will inherit a financially stable, mission-driven organization that has successfully navigated fiscal challenges resulting from the pandemic. In the three years preceding the pandemic, EdTA’s operating revenue exceeded $9 million, largely from conferences and events (45%) and member dues and honor society induction fees (25%). The association projects an operating budget of $5.8 million in 2022, a positive financial forecast as the result of a streamlined budget, sizable investment portfolio, and anticipated return of in-person programming.

About the Role

The Executive Director will be an enthusiastic champion of students and teachers. They will support and affirm the importance of theatre education and its enduring ability to shape lives, particularly as EdTA plays a vital role that stabilizes the field as educators and students navigate the new educational and cultural landscape resulting from the pandemic. 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director works closely with staff, members, and other stakeholders to advance EdTA’s mission. As chief executive, they will ensure an unwavering commitment to deliver excellent service to theatre educators and students. They will design and guide initiatives that center diversity, equity, and inclusion so that EdTA can embed these values across the organization’s operations, offerings, policy agendas, and partnerships. Additional key responsibilities will include:

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership

• Collaborate with board, staff, chapter leaders, and other members to strengthen and expand EdTA’s influence and reach as an association that advances the field of theatre education.
• Initiate strategic planning process to further define and refine EdTA’s role in recognizing, developing, and connecting theatre students and educators across the country.
• Maintain and expand EdTA’s reputation and reach as a state, regional, and national leader in theatre education and the broader arts education landscape.
• Serve as President of the Educational Theatre Foundation, and steward relationships with board members representative of various industries related to the field.

Organizational Development

• Oversee day-to day operations, including human resources, financial management, and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization’s culture, structures, policies, and operations. Lead and develop an effective staff structure to achieve goals and objectives to deliver high-quality services and programs to members. 
• Supervise and coach a results-oriented senior management team to set and monitor annual departmental goals, (e.g., program effectiveness, membership satisfaction, etc.); and communicate progress toward goals across multiple internal and external audiences.

Chapter Support and Development

• Champion the role of theatre educators and student thespians, while demonstrating an understanding and responsiveness to the needs of chapters and the membership.
• Create transparent and effective channels of communication to share information about EdTA’s members’ needs and program delivery.
• Cultivate meaningful relationships with current and prospective members to ensure EDTA is representative of and responsive to varied and evolving needs of its members.
• Visit classrooms, state-level competitions, and other convenings to directly learn from and celebrate educators and students.

Experiences, Skills, and Qualities

The Board seeks an experienced senior leader to bring vision and strategy to this role. We recognize that the most competitive candidates will have many, but likely not all, of the following personal and professional experiences, skills, and qualities:

• No less than 10 years of leadership experience in a nonprofit, association, or similar setting. 
• Experience in theatre arts education, or a related field is considered a major plus.
• Knowledge of issues, trends, and policies affecting the K-12 education field. Past experience in a classroom setting and/or an educational nonprofit is a major plus.
• Proven record of advancing organizational racial equity initiatives. A deep commitment to racial justice and respect for diverse backgrounds and points of view. 
• A significant supervisory record, with experience developing a positive team culture.
• An effective spokesperson for EdTA’s membership. Capable of interacting with a variety of constituents – from classroom educators to students to policymakers.
• Prior experience working with or serving on a nonprofit board. 
• Significant business acumen within a nonprofit context.
• Experience in a membership or chapter-based organization is ideal but not required. A CAE (Certified Association Executive) credential is considered a plus.

Compensation

Starting salary range of $225,000 – $240,000 with excellent benefits.

Location & Travel

Flexible location but available for frequent travel to the home office, conferences and events, chapter visits, and fundraising meetings. Travel is projected to be approximately 25% - 30% of the role.

Application Process

EdTA is conducting this search in partnership with Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving nonprofits and associations. Interested applicants should upload a resume and a detailed cover letter that describes their qualifications for this role to www.good-insight.org/careers. 

Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, apply by February 18, 2022. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search. Direct confidential inquiries to Carlyn Madden or Kessa Thompson at EdTA@good-insight.org. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

EdTA is committed to recruiting and employing individuals without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, gender identity, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, pregnancy, familial status, ability, veteran status, sexual orientation, size, status with regard to public assistance, or genetic information. We are committed to the principle of equity and are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of individuals, including people of color, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions, and identities.