Executive Director

LE PETIT THEATRE

SEARCH FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

New Orleans, Louisiana

THE SEARCH

Le Petit Théâtre Du Vieux Carré (Le Petit Theatre), New Orleans’ most historic playhouse, seeks a visionary Executive Director to serve as the organization’s chief executive. The Executive Director will be responsible for Le Petit Theatre’s overall leadership, strategic direction, and financial sustainability.

Reporting to the Le Petit Theatre Board of Governors, the Executive Director oversees both the administrative and artistic operations of the organization, ensuring that all programming reflects the theater’s mission and meets the highest standards of excellence. The Executive Director works in close partnership with the Artistic Director – who reports to this position – to provide oversight and support for a five-play mainstage season, an expanding subscription base, and a robust slate of educational programming for young people. Inclusive of the Artistic Director, the Executive Director manages a team of six staff members and oversees a $1.7M annual budget.

The Executive Director will be a strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term vision and immediate operational needs. The ideal candidate will possess a demonstrated track record of success in  fundraising and development, concrete financial acumen, staff management experience, and a passion for theater and the performing arts.

ABOUT LE PETIT THEATRE

Since 1916, Le Petit Theatre has been a cultural cornerstone in New Orleans. Situated just steps from Jackson Square in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, the theater has occupied its historic home at 616 St. Peter Street since 1922.

For more than a century, the city’s beloved “Little Theatre” has captivated generations of audiences with a vibrant mix of dramas, comedies, and musicals. Le Petit Theatre’s stage has been a creative home for hundreds of actors, directors, designers, and technicians – both local and national – whose artistry has shaped its reputation as one of the region’s enduring cultural treasures.

Beyond the stage, Le Petit Theatre’s impact extends deeply into the local community. Via its growing education programs, the theater reaches more than 2,000 students across Greater New Orleans each year, nurturing a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

For more information, visit https://www.lepetittheatre.com/.

THE ROLE

• Provide overall leadership and vision for Le Petit Theatre, aligning the organization’s artistic, educational, and financial goals.
• Serve as the theater’s chief fundraiser and external representative.
• Partner with the theater’s Board of Governors to set and implement long-term strategy, support governance functions, and engage members in fundraising and advocacy activities.
• Oversee financial strategy and operations for the theater, including developing and managing the annual budget, integrating earned revenue streams, maximizing rental income, and maintaining full regulatory compliance.
• Supervise and support the organization’s Artistic Director, ensuring alignment between artistic vision and organizational priorities, while maintaining final approval of season planning, budgets, and major initiatives.
• Manage and mentor a talented team of six full-time and part-time staff members.
• Oversee production planning and execution of the season, ensuring work is delivered on time, on budget, and aligned with artistic goals.
• Lead Le Petit Theatre’s audience development and subscription strategy, including pricing, packaging, and use of data to grow attendance and deepen patron engagement.
• Provide strategic oversight of the organization’s education and community engagement efforts, ensuring accessible, relevant programming and strong partnerships with local K-12 schools and other community partners.

THE CANDIDATE

The most competitive contenders for the Executive Director role will possess a compelling combination of the following experiences and traits:

• Demonstrated success in nonprofit leadership; experience in a theater or in the performing arts, whether in leadership, production, development or marketing, or general administration, is highly desired.
• Proven fundraising track record, including experience with major gifts, annual giving, sponsorships, foundation grants, and special events.
• Experience working effectively with a nonprofit governing board, including supporting governance, engaging board members in fundraising, and fostering board-staff partnerships.
• Strong financial management skills.
• Ability to serve as a compelling external ambassador, with a willingness to build relationships with donors, community partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Experience intersecting with educational programming in a nonprofit environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate a clear and inspiring vision to a wide range of audiences.
• A passion for the mission and work of Le Petit Theatre.
• A Bachelor’s degree is required.

SALARY AND LOCATION

Salary for the role is commensurate with experience; the salary range begins at $125,000. Le Petit Theatre’s next Executive Director must be located in, or willing to relocate to, the Greater New Orleans area.

TO APPLY

Le Petit Theatre is partnering with Yvette Jones and Brinkley Serkedakis of the Jones Group of New Orleans to identify the organization’s next Executive Director. Applications, including a resume and cover letter; nominations; and inquiries should be submitted via email to brinkley@thejonesgroupnola.com.
No calls, please.

Le Petit Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.