Executive Director

Oregon Children's Theatre; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon Children's Theatre seeks an Executive Director to serve as the business and financial leadership partner to the Producing Artistic Director, reporting to the Board. You will oversee development, marketing, finance and administration, guiding OCT toward financial stability and operational excellence to support programs for youth and families.

Collaborate with the artistic leadership in aligning fundraising and revenue strategies with programmatic goals, lead governance with the Board, and

Qualifications

• 6+ years of senior nonprofit executive leadership experience, including direct responsibility for organizational operations, finances, and fundraising.
• 4+ years demonstrated success in fundraising, including carrying and closing major gifts, renewing lapsed donor relationships, and leading diversified revenue strategies
• Strong financial and business management experience, including budgeting and oversight of complex funding streams
• Proven experience working with nonprofit boards and strengthening governance practices
• Track record of leading organizations through periods of transition
• Experience working with or serving youth, families, or education-focused populations

Responsibilities

• The Executive Director serves as the business and financial leadership partner to the Producing Artistic Director, reporting to the Board of Directors.
• Oversees development, marketing, finance and administration, and collaborates with the Producing Artistic Director’s artistic vision.
• Work in close partnership with the leadership to intersect financial and fundraising decisions with programmatic and artistic choices.
• Provide administrative leadership to ensure OCT's programming, artists, and staff can thrive.

Skills

Nonprofit leadership

Fundraising

Financial management

Board governance

Strategic planning

Youth/education experience

Job description

Oregon Children's Theatre (OCT) creates welcoming, imaginative spaces for all children across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Through exceptional theatrical and educational programming, OCT inspires curiosity, resilience, and connection. OCT envisions a future where every child has meaningful access to the arts, helps shape vibrant communities, and experiences true belonging. For over 35 years, OCT has produced professional theatre for young audiences and delivered in-school and community education programming throughout the region.

OCT's work is guided by six core values: collaboration, inclusion and equity, excellence, centering youth, curiosity, authenticity and honesty.

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the business and financial leadership partner to the Producing Artistic Director at Oregon Children's Theatre, with both roles reporting independently to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director provides administrative leadership in support of the mission and in collaboration with the Producing Artistic Director’s artistic vision, ensuring a financially stable and operationally effective environment in which OCT's programming, artists, and staff can thrive.

The Executive Director oversees development, marketing, finance and administration, and operational staff, while the Producing Artistic Director oversees education programming and production staff. The two leaders are expected to work in close, ongoing partnership, particularly where financial and fundraising decisions intersect with programmatic and artistic choices.

Minimum Qualifications

• 6+ years of senior nonprofit executive leadership experience, including direct responsibility for organizational operations, finances, and fundraising
• 4+ years demonstrated success in fundraising, including carrying and closing major gifts, renewing lapsed donor relationships, and leading diversified revenue strategies
• Strong financial and business management experience, including budgeting and oversight of complex funding streams
• Proven experience working with nonprofit boards and strengthening governance practices
• Track record of leading organizations through periods of transition
• Experience working with or serving youth, families, or education-focused populations

Application Deadline: September 21, 2026