We are passionate about fostering an inclusive space that values diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, and cultures. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective are proven to be better companies. More importantly, creating an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work is the right thing to do.
Delaware Theatre Company creates theatre of the highest professional quality in Delaware and thereby enriches the vitality of the area through artistic programming, education, and community service. At its heart, theatre is community. By telling our stories, by shining a light on our shared experiences, theatre strengthens the bonds between us. Connects us. That's what community is about - and that's what we're about. Delaware Theatre Company has been connecting people for the past 45 years.
Position Summary The Director of Learning and Community Partnerships will be an innovative thought leader, strong collaborator, and skillful public advocate, with a fervent commitment to community engagement and relationship development. In addition to planning for the future of DTC’s Learning and Community Partnerships Program, they will guide a multi-faceted operation of dynamic, innovative programs, serving more than 2,500 individuals annually. DTC’s programs will be rooted in the tenets of aesthetic education and focused on the values of community and connection, inquiry and reflection, and authenticity in storytelling. Equity, diversity, inclusion, and access are central to all aspects of programming. The Director will ensure that that work continues while expanding on its execution and heightening the program’s profile in the education, youth development, and philanthropic communities.
Roles and Responsibilities Strategic Planning and Program Development
- Develop, refine, implement, and evaluate the Learning and Community Partnership Program’s vision, mission, core values, and goals, working in collaboration and consulting with the Executive & Artistic Director, senior staff, and board.
- Assess current programming for adherence to mission and core values and collaborate with department staff and teaching artists to conceive and implement new programming, including that which may generate income.
- Ensure that all department activities support and enhance DTC’s EDI values.
- Embrace other strategic planning and program development duties, as needed.
School and Community Engagement
- Build and steward relationships and partnerships with community, social service, and government organizations as appropriate.
- Sustain and expand relationships with current and potential partner schools both in New Castle County and around the tri-state area.
- Create and plan appropriate curricula for in-school programs in collaboration with teaching artists, and in communication with the relevant partners.
- Explore and identify opportunities for additional programmatic activities serving current and future partners.
- Embrace other school and community engagement duties, as needed.
Team and Artist Leadership
- Cultivate a culture of openness, support, and mutual learning with the staff and teaching artists.
- Create and facilitate opportunities for professional development of staff and teaching artists in support of department programs.
- Participate as a full member of the senior leadership team with the other department heads, devising ways to mutually support each department’s activities.
- Embrace other leadership duties, as needed.
Fiscal Responsibility and Revenue Generation
- Develop the departmental budget for review and approval by the Executive & Director, collaborating with appropriate staff.
- Collaborate with the Executive & Artistic Director on donor prospecting and cultivation, grant proposals, and reports.
- Supervise budget implementation, ensuring proper resourcing and maintaining fiscal responsibility.
- Report to the Executive & Artistic Director and, if requested, to the Board, on departmental activities and progress, including financial updates.
- Embrace other fiscal responsibilities and revenue generation duties, as needed.
Traits and Characteristics The incoming Director of Learning and Community Partnerships at DTC will possess a unique blend of skills in collaboration, analysis, decision-making, and self-awareness. They recognize the talents and contributions of others while demonstrating the capacity for inclusive leadership, forward-thinking, effective planning, creativity, and goal-oriented action. The role requires a leader who values and exhibits behaviors that center on relationship-building, active engagement, customer focus, adaptability, and effective communication and collaboration.
Other key competencies include:
- Leadership and Influencing Others – Organizing and personally affecting other people to believe in a vision while creating a sense of purpose and direction.
- Planning, Organizing, and Goal Orientation – Setting, pursuing, and attaining goals, regardless of obstacles or circumstances while remaining answerable for personal actions.
- Futuristic and Conceptual Thinking – Imagining and envisioning what has yet to be realized, analyzing hypothetical situations, trends, patterns, and concepts to formulate connections and new insights.
Qualifications Demonstrated leadership experience and proven success in the direction and strategic expansion of educational programs. Ability to effectively communicate impact with a wide variety of constituencies. Familiarity with Delaware school systems is desirable, and a track record of community engagement is essential. Past experience as a teaching artist or in positive youth development with an understanding of current pedagogical theories and best practices is advantageous. If you do not meet all the qualifications but possess transferable or equivalent skills, experience, or education, we encourage you to apply and highlight those areas.
Compensation and Benefits DTC provides a competitive and equitable compensation package in the range of $65,000 to $75,000, with benefits that include paid time off and holidays, health insurance, long-term disability, and basic life insurance.
How to Apply To apply, please send a cover letter and a resume to
msilva@delawaretheatre.org.