Executive Director

Job Description

Founded in 2003, GiGi's Playhouse’s purpose is to change the way the world views Down syndrome and to send a global message of acceptance for all.

We profoundly change lives through national campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community.

All programs are free and are therapeutic or educational in nature. Each one of our programs is designed to work on specific skill development, including speech and language, literacy, socialization, and fine and gross motor skills. GiGi’s Playhouse has opened over 60 locations across North America and is growing by several locations annually.

The Executive Directorisabusiness -mindedleaderwhoensures long-term sustainability, prominence,and operational excellence of

GiGi’s Playhouse Tinley Park.

This includes helping to ensuretheoperationhas the right team,isfully funded,and that the community is aware of the scope and impact of programs offered.

The Executive Director will be actively involved in fundraising activities,driving community members to the Playhouse,andbuildinga strong community presence and local donations through donor outreach, developing media contacts,grant writing, budget development and control, overseeing financial operations,and other related  addition, the Executive Directoris responsible formanagingthe Playhousestaffand partnering closely with the local Board.

The role is estimated to beroughly 50% development/outreach and 50%
Playhouse management and marketing.

This role is for our Tinley Park, IL location.

• Increasefundingthroughindividual donors,grants,sponsor ships, in-kind,andcorporatesupport.
• Maximize awareness of GiGi’s Playhouse and Down syndrome across the local community.
• Lead the team to ensure delivery ofthehighestquality operational execution and outstanding customer experience to deepen family engagement and connection with the Playhouse.

• Strategic Leadership and Board Relations:
• • Drive the development ofthe Playhouse’s strategic planin collaboration with the Board; implement the plan, ensuring alignment with mission, values, and growth objectives.
  • Serve as the primary liaison between the Board and the Playhouse, providing regular updates and seeking guidance.
  • Recruit and evaluate potential Board Members through community connections and presentviablecandidates to the Board selection committee.
• Fundraising and Financial Management:
• • Oversee financial operations, including fundraising and ensuring financial sustainability;draft the organization’s budget to align with the strategic plan.
  • Develop and implement a fundraising plan to achieve revenue targets in partnership with the local board and fundraising committee.
  • Experience working on or leading a successful capital campaign.
  • Manageand implementa donor portfolio and stewardship strategy for donors and volunteers.
  • Achieve hard dollar fundraising objectives, continually seeking revenue generation opportunities through grants, individual donors,family foundations,corporations, and events.
  • In close partnership with the event chair for each fundraising event, support and heavily engage withallevents, particularly revenue-generation,marketing,securing in-kind donations,volunteer recruitment and management, andoverallcommunity engagement.
• Staff Leadership and Operations:
• • Ensure all playhouse hours, programs, events, and activities are staffed to support the needs of the Playhouse (GiGi’s programs are 99% volunteer-run).
  • Hire, train, manage, and evaluate all Playhouse employees, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
  • In collaboration with the staff thatismanaging programs and volunteers,support recruitment, training, and management of volunteers,leveraging their…