Positions | Managing Director

We create exceptional theatre experiences, inspiring generations to explore the wonder of their world.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (CTC) is proud to be an organization where a diverse mix of talented, committed and enthusiastic people gather to do their best work. As we inspire generations to explore the wonder of our world, we desire to see the diversity and amazing, expanding tapestry of this world and community reflected in all our programming, behind the scenes, and in our team members, board and volunteers.

We recognize theatre as a means of holding up a mirror to society, and that all people’s race, ethnicity, culture, uniqueness, background, and beliefs should be celebrated and reflected onstage, on staff, and in the audience. We are proud to deepen our commitment to the movement for equity, diversity and inclusion with the knowledge that we cannot do it alone and will dedicate time, talent and resources necessary to ensure a more inclusive future at CTC.
ORGANIZATION
CTC has grown to become a national leader in Theatre for Young Audiences. Recognized for the breadth and strength of its programs, Children's Theatre of Charlotte provides more than 250,000 experiences for children and families a year with technically imaginative productions and wide-ranging education programs for young people. 

CTC is committed to developing new work and supporting playwrights. Since 2013, CTC has developed nineteen new productions, balancing our priorities of creating relevant and remarkable new programming with fiscal stewardship.  
  • In 2017, we launched The Kindness Project. This work centered around four world-premiere plays we commissioned: Last Stop on Market Street, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, The Invisible Boy and Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba. Each of these stories features kindness as the central theme. We’ve invested in this project for one simple reason: to spread kindness wherever we can and to encourage children to act kindly toward others.
  • After several years of collaboration, we produced The Second Story Project with our partners at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte. Together, we engaged nationally renowned playwright Steven Dietz to craft two interlocking plays about a series of events within a family. CTC premiered The Ghost of Splinter Cove while ATC’s The Great Beyond ran simultaneously. Audiences who saw both productions were able to glean a full picture of what transpired in these two plays – upstairs and in the basement, and from the dual perspectives of adults and children.
  • In 2018, CTC was the only US theatre company invited to bring students to perform at the 8th Annual China National Children’s Theatre Festival and the ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering in Beijing.
CTC is facing the current economic challenge with resiliency and innovation. In 2020-21, CTC will mount an entirely virtual season with four productions:  The Velveteen Rabbit, GRIMMZ Fairy Tales, My Wonderful Birthday Suit and Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba. In addition, CTC will provide week-long mini-camps as a resource for families looking for creative solutions this school year, along with a combination of in-person and virtual theatre education classes in the evenings.

CTC is governed by a 25-member board of directors. This season CTC will operate with a $3.9 million dollar budget with an earned/contributed ratio of approximately 51%/35%. The organization has an endowment with earnings contributing to the annual budget. The Arts & Science Council is the largest contributor to the operating funds at $251,000. Last season, the organization employed 44 regular full-time employees and cycled in over 140 part time/seasonal employees. 

CTC has two modern venues: The McColl Theatre with 570 seats and the Well Fargo Playhouse with 250 seats. 
COMMUNITY
The City of Charlotte, within Mecklenburg County, is the center of the nation’s third-largest mega-region: CharLanta, stretching from Raleigh-Durham to Atlanta. Although Charlotte is considered a mid-sized city with a population of 885,000, it is the nation’s 15th largest city. Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area has 2.6 million people.

Charlotte is home to a vibrant arts and culture sector. With the public and private sectors investing more than a billion dollars in arts, science, history and heritage since 1977, cultural development has played a significant role in the community’s growth, globalization and long-term economic prosperity. In the Arts & Economic Prosperity Study V by Americans for the Arts, based on fiscal year 2015 data, the arts and culture sector’s annual economic impact was measured at $243 million, excluding any capital expenditures related to the opening of new or renovated cultural facilities. Cultural opportunities attract consumers from other counties in both North and South Carolina all year long. Mecklenburg’s cultural market-draw exceeds 2,500 square miles and generates annual revenue in excess of $100 million.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Managing Director will serve in a dual executive role alongside the Artistic Director. This is a visionary, dynamic servant leader who is a skilled collaborator, active and compassionate listener, bridge builder and a champion for the critical role that CTC plays in the Charlotte arts community and on the national TYA stage. Our Managing Director is a leader who thinks creatively from practical experiences, taking our artistic energy and vibrancy and strives to find the resources to make the art. The Managing Director develops, motivates and co-leads an experienced team in external relations, board governance, community relations, fund development, marketing, strategic planning and operational, financial and administrative oversight.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership and Vision
  • Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access throughout the organization with policies and practices that foster transformative change. 
  • Drive the vision and strategic plan with a keen focus on these key areas:
    • Broaden the community’s access and connection to CTC.
    • Take care of our people, who are the heart of the organization, including leadership, staff, board and volunteers.
    • Strengthen CTC financial resources to meet long term needs. 
    • Lead the theatre in meeting the challenges of COVID-19 through innovation, resourcefulness and adaptability.
  • Foster and support a culture of innovation, adaptability and creative problem solving.
  • Be innovative and resourceful in supporting the artistic vision, working alongside the Artistic Director to ensure fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget. 
External Relations and Partnerships
  • Identify, establish and nurture, in collaboration with the Artistic Director, cooperative and collaborative partnerships with community organizations to build relationships, increase access and grow audiences.
  • The partnership with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is our single most important partnership. The Managing Director is responsible for nurturing this relationship in collaboration with the Artistic Director to maximize this unique partnership that brings the page to the stage.    
Organizational Leadership
  • Lead a high-performing and experienced staff in the financial and operations management, marketing and communication and fundraising.
  • Inspire and maintain an organizational culture that encourages collaboration, accountability, professional development, and mutual respect.
  • Establish and uphold efficient procedures and effective controls for the expenditure of funds in accordance with the adopted budget.
  • Work closely with the Board to engage their skills and commitments to governance and advocacy.
TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS
A creative and visionary leader, the Managing Director will enthusiastically engage with a broad and diverse collective of stakeholders to advocate, promote, support and champion CTC’s work. A consummate consensus builder and effective negotiator, the Managing Director inspires trust and confidence with a respectful and diplomatic approach to divergent points of view. This individual is a people-oriented leader with the ability to motivate a team. Receptive to new ideas, this individual readily exhibits the ability to develop, nurture, and leverage authentic relationships within and outside of the organization. The Managing Director is a “servant leader” as defined by Robert K. Greenleaf in his essay The Servant as Leader. Finally, they are a leader with equal parts passion for CTC’s mission and for our purpose and place in the arts sector and in the fabric of the Charlotte region.
KEY COMPETENCIES
  • Appreciation and Commitment to Diversity – Recognizes and commits to diversity in staffing, programming and marketing to attract and maintain a diverse audience; understands and respects the differences in norms, values and beliefs of a diverse community and uses that in-depth understanding to address issues, adapt education models and curriculum, enhance performances and audience experiences and create a diverse learning environment; fosters and nurtures the spirit and culture of CTC and values its legacy and traditions.
  • Strategic Insight/Planning – Understands external environment; leads, develops and implements plans to support mission & vision. Demonstrates the ingenuity to appreciate innovation, envision concepts or ideas that advance the organization’s mission and its services, partner with stakeholders to attain visionary goals, and creatively engage constituents to achieve common goals.
  • Leadership – The capacity to deliver a compelling vision, earn the trust and confidence of others with integrity and clarity, organize and influence people by creating a common purpose. Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; inspires respect and trust.
  • Ethics and High Moral Standards – Commits to ethical behavior and setting high moral standards for the organization, which is particularly important in an organization whose mission serves children, youth and their families. The Managing Director sets the tone with this commitment and serves as a role model for the principles of servant leadership.
  • Innovation and Initiative – Takes independent actions and calculated risks; fosters creativity and innovation throughout the organization. The ingenuity to appreciate innovation, envision concepts or ideas that advance the organization’s mission and its services, partner with stakeholders to attain visionary goals, and creatively engage constituents to achieve common goals.
  • Adaptability – Demonstrates flexibility when change occurs and the ability to anticipate and effect needed change; flexibility in methods and processes is balanced with commitment to underlying CTC’s mission and values—is proactive in addressing change rather than reactive.
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Must have a passion and love for theatre and children.
  • Experienced in all areas of income generation, including audience development and fundraising, and an ability to serve as a key leader of contributed revenue efforts. 
  • A career path that demonstrates successful, progressive senior management leadership qualities. 
  • Demonstrated ability to motivate and lead a team focused on long-term objectives.
  • Strong organizational management, financial acumen and budgeting skills.
  • Demonstrated experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and access initiatives.
  • Demonstrated success in building board membership and effectiveness. 
  • Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills.
  • Prior leadership experience with organizations of significant or comparable size or scope.
  • A strong relationship builder and team player.
  • 4-year bachelor's degree preferred, but we will consider applicants with equivalent life experiences.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
CTC offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes paid time off; medical, dental, and vision insurance, disability, life and a 403(b) retirement plan. 
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit by email and in PDF format to Carolyn Allred: carolyna@ctcharlotte.org:
  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • In 500 words or less answer the following question and please add it as a separate attachment from your letter and resume:  Why are you drawn to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and what about you and your experience will make you a successful Managing Director at CTC?
Applications received before September 18, 2020 will receive the highest consideration.