Executive Director

Position Title: Executive Director
Organization: Talespinner Children’s Theatre (TCT)
Reports To: Board of Directors
Collaborates With: Artistic Director, Director of Education, Board of Directors, Administrative and Production Staff

Position Summary:
The Executive Director (ED) is a key leadership position at Talespinner Children’s Theatre (TCT), responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, financial and administrative management, and strategic development of the organization. Working in close collaboration with the Artistic Director and Director of Education, the ED ensures the smooth and effective functioning of the theater’s programs and operations, while upholding the organization’s mission, values, and commitment to creative, inclusive, and impactful work for children and families.

Key Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership & Administration

• Manage daily operations of the theater and administrative staff, including hiring, delegation, performance evaluations, and terminations.

   

• Serve as the primary liaison between staff and the Board of Directors; prepare and deliver monthly board reports and coordinate with board officers.

   

• Support office management including mail, filing, IT infrastructure, and digital subscriptions.

   

• Serve as the first point of contact for external inquiries by phone or email.

   

Financial Management

• Collaborate with the Artistic Director and Director of Education to develop the annual organizational budget for board approval.

   

• Oversee bookkeeping functions; coordinate with the accountant and board treasurer on financial documentation, including QuickBooks management and 990 filings.

   

• Manage the distribution and processing of invoices; pay approved invoices in a timely manner and maintain accurate filing.

   

• Serve as payroll point person: liaise with payroll company, process contracts, update payment info, and submit hourly pay information.

   

Fundraising & Development

• Lead grant writing and reporting efforts; serve as the primary contact for granting agencies.

   

• Coordinate fundraising efforts with board and staff, including the annual appeal, public fundraising events, sponsorships, and season kick-off and announcement events.

   

• Maintain and manage the donation database; generate accurate mailing lists and ensure timely donor acknowledgment and tax letters.

   

Board Development & Strategic Planning

• Assist in recruiting and onboarding new board members.

   

• Play a leading role in the strategic planning and organizational growth of Talespinner, including exploring new opportunities and program expansion.

   

Program & Production Support

• Provide administrative support to Production and Education teams, including personnel management and calendar coordination.

   

• Collaborate with the Director of Education to support development and implementation of the season’s educational programming, including staffing, budgeting, and scheduling.

   

• Finalize group sales and ensure timely invoicing and payment for classes, workshops, residencies, and parties.

   

Box Office & Sales Management

• Oversee box office operations, including staffing, processing reservations and subscriptions, and generating sales reports.

   

• Track box office data and provide timely reports post-production (using Ludus or similar systems).

   

Touring & Outreach

• Coordinate with the Education team to ensure successful logistics and administration of touring productions.

   

Personnel & Vendor Relations

• Maintain personnel records and support hiring processes, including onboarding and background checks in partnership with departmental supervisors.

   

• Manage vendor relationships: maintain a preferred vendor list, collect contracts and necessary documentation.

   

Marketing & Digital Presence

• Collaborate with the Artistic Director and Board on the maintenance and accuracy of the Talespinner website and digital communications.

   

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in nonprofit or arts administration, preferably in theater or education-focused organizations.

   

• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

   

• Experience in grant writing, fundraising, and donor relations.

   

• Familiarity with QuickBooks, payroll systems, and database management tools.

   

• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities with professionalism and efficiency.

   

• A passion for arts education and a commitment to fostering inclusive, imaginative, and empowering experiences for children and families.

   

Salary: Starting at $60,000
Location: Cleveland, OH (in-person role)
Start Date: September 2025

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Please send resume and cover letter to chair@talespinnercle.org