Executive Director-Southeastern Theatre Conference working with Management Consultants for the Arts

The Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC), the largest network of theatre practitioners in the United States, seeks a service-oriented and inclusive leader to serve as its Executive Director. An arts professional that is both a strategic thinker and a collaborative doer will thrive at SETC, as will those with experience connecting and serving communities, overseeing large-scale events or conventions, leading teams of geographically-distributed staff and volunteers, and growing revenue streams. This position reports directly to the Board of Directors and is the chief executive of SETC. 

The annual salary range for the Executive Director starts at $105,000; benefits include comprehensive medical and dental coverage, a generous 403b contribution, and funds for sabbatical support, travel and networking, and remote-working expenses. SETC has engaged A search committee of SETC Board members will make the hiring decision. They hope to make a final decision by fall 2025, with the new Executive Director beginning work as soon as possible thereafter.

Thomas Pearson & David Mallette of Management Consultants for the Arts have been engaged to facilitate this search. A full position description & application portal may be found here: https://mcaonline.com/searches/executive-director-setc

Organizational Profile

SETC has served professional, community-based, and academic theatremakers since 1948. It is firmly rooted in the Southeast and is dedicated to serving members from its ten-state region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia). Still, many of SETC’s programs are available to and benefit the national theatre field. The centerpiece of its work is a yearly convention that brings together thousands of practitioners from across the country for workshops, auditions, festivals, classes, and networking opportunities. Many members trace their continuing educational and professional opportunities back to their work with SETC, and the conference is a place where SETC members share ideas and expand their artistic practices, learn and improve skills, and connect with a wide array of practical opportunities in their field. Other programs include auditions and job fairs, area-specific festivals and convenings, awards and scholarships, a Leadership Initiative for training and mentorship, and publications. See SETC’s website for more info: http://www.setc.org.

SETC has engaged Management Consultants for the Arts to facilitate this search; Thomas Pearson and David Mallette are leading the search. A search committee of SETC Board members will make the hiring decision. They hope to make a final decision by fall 2025, with the new Executive Director beginning work as soon as possible thereafter.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following items for consideration:

● A current resumé;

● Cover letter (no more than 1 ½ pages);

● Four professional references;

● Salary expectation.

The cover letter should describe your background and your approach to leadership, and could also address:

1. What is it about this role and SETC that excites you?

2. What in your background makes you a compelling candidate for SETC?

3. What do you see as the most meaningful role(s) for a service and membership organization in today’s theatre ecosystem?

All documents should be in .pdf format and have the candidate’s name as part of the file name. Applications to be submitted electronically through the following portal link:https://www.mcaonline.com/searches/executive-director-setc