Cornerstone Theater Company
The History:
Cornerstone was founded in 1986 as a traveling ensemble, which adapted classic works to tell the stories of rural communities across the country. The Company settled in Los Angeles in 1992 to focus on urban collaborations, and launched a series of multiyear play cycles. CTC’s method of engagement of community members provides a national model for community-based art making. Its summer Institute, now in its tenth year and which focuses primarily on rural California communities, draws emerging artists from across the country to learn and practice the creation of community engaged theater. Cornerstone’s commissioned collaborations with important partners across the country include The Guthrie Theatre, The City of West Hollywood, Long Wharf, Touchstone and, currently, The La Jolla Playhouse. The company consists of three entities: the Ensemble of artists who hold responsibility for artistic decision-making, a paid staff, and a volunteer Board of Directors.
The Mission:
Cornerstone Theater Company is a multi-ethnic, ensemble-based Theater company. The Company commissions and produces plays that combine the artistry of professional and community collaborators. By making Theater with and for people of many ages, cultures and levels of theatrical experience, Cornerstone builds bridges between and within diverse communities in Los Angeles and nationwide.
The Vision:
Cornerstone Theater Company envisions a world transformed through the recognition that every individual has the capacity for creativity and each has a story worth telling. Cornerstone believes that Theater can catalyze dialogue around crucial issues and bring together disparate communities. We believe that conversations about the urgent issues of our times must include many voices and diverse perspectives.
The work is based on the conviction that aesthetic practice is social justice, artistic expression is civic engagement, and that access to a creative forum is an essential part of the wellness and health of every individual and community.
Characteristics and Traits Essential for the Managing Director:
The Managing Director must demonstrate superior leadership skills. S/he will be a proven leader demonstrating effective decision-making, strategic thinking and planning. Strong, confident and compassionate communication skills with an emphasis on excellent active listening skills are essential for this role. S/he must be able to embrace Cornerstone’s long-standing culture, vision and mission and provide genuine support for these critical elements.
The successful candidate must be adept at working with a variety of constituencies, where honest and sincere collaboration is a most valued quality. The Managing Director must work utilizing the highest quality of interaction skills with the Board, Staff and Ensemble. S/he needs to be comfortable and competent working with diverse communities; the ones CTC serves, geographical, cultural and aesthetic. This individual is responsible for developing and sustaining successful and profitable external relationships with funders, supporters and individual donors.
This individual needs to demonstrate a high level of emotional and empathetic intelligence. The ability to demonstrate managerial courage, asking tough questions, taking a stand while at the same time demonstrating an understanding of the many factors impacting an issue or problem, is critical for this position.
The Managing Director is comfortable and experienced with managing change and transition. S/he can challenge the process while being savvy at understanding the current landscape (e.g. non-profit, Theater, social issues) and the appetite and aptitude for change. S/he is able to skillfully push forward while respecting the overall pace the various constituent groups are willing to accept and embrace.
Proven success as an organizational manager and managing a staff is very important. The staff at CTC is experienced, motivated, talented and committed. The Managing Director must be skilled at leading and managing such a team. Professional development and mentoring experience is very important in this role. Fostering collaboration by building trust and facilitating relationships is expected and valued. Managing others by strengthening competence and increasing self-determination is essential. Overall, celebrating the values and victories by creating a spirit of community is expected and appreciated.
Fair-minded, dependable, honest, forward-looking, open-minded, flexible, adaptable, inspiring, humorous, and cooperative are traits that are “givens” for this Managing Director. While, modeling these, it is also important for this individual to encourage and mentor these in others.
Primary Responsibilities:
Fund Development and Marketing:
The Managing Director has the responsibility of achieving the annual and strategic, multi-year financial goals, through foundation grants, individual donors and fund-raising activities. S/he works closely with the Director of Development, the Artistic Director and the Board to ensure that all fund-raising and friend-raising policies and plans are supported and achieved. This position is responsible for providing oversight of the creation and implementation of the marketing and public relations strategic framework.
Financial Oversight and Planning:
The Managing Director is responsible for strategic long term planning which is reflected in the creation of an annual budget that supports the Company’s goals and objectives. S/he, working directly with the General Manager, is responsible for managing the day-to-day expenses and operating the Company within that budget. Insures the Company conducts business and maintains records in compliance with the requirements of all Funders. Provides oversight to the annual audit and reporting the Company’s financial status regularly to the Board.
Board Relations and Development:
The Managing Director reports to the Board and serves as liaison from the Board to the staff, working in partnership with the Artistic Director. This position takes the lead in the development of the Board of Directors and Board relations. S/he is responsible for the implementation of the Cornerstone Theater Company Strategic Engagement Plan, 2012-2015.
Partnership with the Artistic Director:
The Managing Director forms a critical partnership with the Artistic Director as the two senior leaders of the Company. Sharing some responsibilities, while supporting others in a collaborative fashion is the hallmark of the Company’s culture. Both positions are vital to the Company, and the successes of each often are the result of the interdependent nature of the relationship. Each has unique responsibilities and each collaborate on other ones.
Staff Management and Leadership:
The Managing Director is responsible for leading and supporting the staff and the areas of operational oversight and sound fiscal management. S/he is responsible for the implementation of all personnel policies and practices and for the hiring, supervision, evaluation, retention, professional development and termination of all staff. The Managing Director promotes and encourages staff professional development. S/he works to maintain and support a stable, productive and mutually respectful work environment.
Critical Skills and Experiences:
• 5-7 years in a non-profit arena
• Non-profit management experience, including managing a staff
• Non-profit financial oversight experience, and demonstrated strong financial management skills
• Substantial fund-raising and resource development experience, including demonstrated success in raising funds from multiple donor types e.g. foundations and individual donors
• Experience in and passion for Theater and performing arts organizations
• Experience with establishing and maintaining community partnerships
• Knowledge of and interest in regional issues
Education:
Masters degree or equivalent experience
Compensation:
Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with qualification and experience
Instructions:
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO MDsearch@cornerstonetheater.org
BY FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013
This post was submitted by Lauren Frankel.