Executive Director, Flagship Playhouse - Hoffman Estates

The Executive Director, Flagship Playhouse is a business-minded leader who ensures the long-term sustainability, prominence, and operational excellence of GiGi's Playhouse Hoffman Estates – the network's flagship location. This includes helping to ensure the operation has the right team, is fully funded, and that the community is aware of the scope and impact of programs offered. Given the scale and visibility of the flagship location, this role also serves as a key strategic partner to the National Office: co-leading select national events and development campaigns, and piloting new programs and initiatives on behalf of the network. The Executive Director will be fundraising activities, driving community members to the Playhouse, and building a strong community presence and local donations through donor outreach, developing media contacts, grant writing, budget development and control, overseeing financial operations, and other related activities. This role also oversees the GiGiWorks Cafe and Gift Shop operating out of the Hoffman Estates location. The role is estimated to be roughly 70% development, outreach, and National Office partnership; 30% playhouse and retail (GiGiWorks Cafe and Gift Shop) management. Primary goals for this role include: Increase funding through individual donors, grants, sponsorships, in-kind, and corporate support. Maximize awareness of GiGi's Playhouse and Down syndrome across the local community and, given the flagship location's visibility, across the broader GiGi's network. Lead the team to ensure delivery of the highest quality operational execution and outstanding customer experience to deepen family engagement and connection with the Playhouse. Partner with the National Office to pilot new programs, initiatives, and operational models, and to co-lead select national events and development campaigns. Oversee the GiGiWorks Cafe and Gift Shop to ensure a high-quality, on-brand customer experience and sound financial performance. Essential Job Functions: Strategic Leadership and National Office Partnership Drive the flagship Playhouse's strategic plan with the National Office, ensuring alignment with mission and growth goals. Serve as primary liaison between the National Office and the Playhouse, providing regular updates on performance, opportunities, and risks. Partner with the Executive Leadership Team and National Office on network-wide strategy and initiatives, and serve as pilot site lead for new programs and operational models, providing feedback to inform network-wide rollout. Fundraising, Financial Management, and Development Partnership Oversee financial operations and budget development in alignment with the strategic plan, ensuring financial sustainability. Develop and execute a fundraising plan with the National Development team and local fundraising committee, achieving revenue targets through grants, donors, corporations, and events. Manage a donor and volunteer stewardship strategy. Co-lead select national development campaigns and signature events with the National Office; support local event chairs with marketing, in-kind donations, and volunteer engagement. Staff Leadership and Operations Staff and manage one of the network's largest, busiest Playhouses (99% volunteer-run), including hiring, training, and evaluating employees and volunteers. Drive achievement of GiGi's Standards of Execution to ensure a high-quality experience for families, volunteers, donors, and community members. GiGiWorks Cafe and Gift Shop: Oversee day-to-day operations, staffing, inventory, vendor relationships, and customer experience. Marketing & Community Engagement Represent the organization to media, donors, schools, and community stakeholders, building relationships and promoting the mission. Grow community awareness through proactive outreach and social/digital channels. Proactively lead acceptance initiatives throughout the community. Program Implementation and Piloting New Initiatives Oversee program quality and full fidelity to GiGi's Signature programs; build lasting relationships with local families. Engage a Family Committee in program input, outreach, fundraising, and event support. Serve as a pilot site for new National Office programs, providing structured feedback to inform network-wide rollout. Connection with GiGi's National Office and Peers Across the Network Engage with peers nationwide to share ideas and raise performance; attend the Annual Leadership Conference. Follow national standards and leverage centrally developed tools and resources. Maintain close partnership with the Chief Operations and Program Officer and Executive Board to help shape network-wide strategy, events, and development campaigns. Reporting Structure: This role does not report to a local board of directors, as the Hoffman Estates flagship Playhouse does not maintain a local board. The Executive Director reports directly to the Chief Operations and Program Officer on the National Headquarters team, and partners closely with the Executive Leadership Team, which is primarily engaged with the National Office on network-wide strategy and initiatives. Visionary Leadership : displays passion and optimism; inspires respect and trust; mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates. Achievement Oriented : Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how to best achieve them. Sets high goals and works doggedly to achieve them. Pushes self and others to achieve milestones and measurable metrics. Goes the “extra mile” to ensure goal is met. Communication : A 'people person' with a friendly demeanor and the ability to build relationships amongst staff, donors, families, volunteers, community members, and National Office partners. Exceptionally strong written and oral communication skills with ability to express ideas and thoughts verbally; writes clearly and inspirationally; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods. Relationship-Based Approach : Naturally demonstrates gratitude and stewardship within relationships, continually finding ways to connect with individuals, express thanks, and share the impact of a donor's investment in the organization. Strong social skills with the ability to and affinity toward networking and building connections with people of all personal and professional backgrounds. People Management : Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; makes self-available to staff; provides regular performance feedback; develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services; continually works to improve supervisory skills. Business & Retail Operations Acumen : Comfortable overseeing both mission-driven programs and revenue-generating retail operations (GiGiWorks Cafe and Gift Shop); balances budget, staffing, and customer experience considerations across a multi-function site. Collaboration & Teamwork : Team player with a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and collaborative spirit; ability to work collaboratively and professionally with staff, National Office partners, committee members, volunteers, families, and donors. Exhibits good listening and comprehension; ability to gain buy-in and to get along with diverse personalities, at all times displaying tact, maturity, and flexibility. Problem Solving and Judgment : Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; resourceful; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; includes appropriate people in decision-making process and develops alternative solutions; open minded and flexible; works well in group problem solving situations. Planning/Organizing : Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans. Adaptability and Calm Under Pressure : Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; demonstrates flexibility and poise under changing priorities. Thrives and maintains stable performance in fast-paced settings with shifting demands. Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and/or Experience : 10+ years management and related experience and/or training in organizational leadership, non-profit, and/or related field, ideally including experience managing a large or multi-site operation. Experience overseeing retail or hospitality operations (e.g., a cafe, gift shop, or similar) is a plus. Extensive demonstrated community connections. Experience partnering with a national or headquarters office, and marketing experience, are both a plus. Computer Skills : Adapts to new technologies and uses technology to increase productivity. Has the self-discipline to continually learn and use the tools. Must have knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), proficiency in social media platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook. Ability to work proficiently in a database program (Salesforce) to manage interactions with all individuals who interface with this location. Work Environment : This role requires extensive engagement with the Playhouse team, families, and volunteers, as well as regular collaboration with the National Office. In addition, roughly 60% of the time is expected to be in the community building relationships with donors, community organizations, etc. As such, this is an in-person role, not a remote role. #J-18808-Ljbffr GiGi's Playhouse Inc.- Down Syndrome Achievement Centers