The client is seeking an Executive Director to serve as the chief executive officer for a historic performing arts organization. The Executive Director will advance the organization’s mission, strategic direction, financial sustainability, and community impact, providing visionary and collaborative leadership across operations, finance, fundraising, marketing, and community engagement. Working closely with the Board of Directors, staff, programming partners, donors, volunteers, and community stakeholders, the Executive Director will guide the organization through its next phase of growth and long-term sustainability as it approaches a future milestone.
The role emphasizes strategic leadership and organizational culture. The Executive Director will provide leadership and organizational vision aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term goals, set and achieve measurable objectives, and partner with the Board and strategic planning leadership to develop, implement, and evaluate strategic and long-range plans. The Executive Director will foster a collaborative, inclusive, mission-driven culture, serve as a visible community and arts ambassador, and identify opportunities to strengthen organizational capacity, audience engagement, partnerships, and sustainability.
Key responsibilities include leading comprehensive fundraising and development efforts to support operational, programming, and capital needs, cultivating relationships with donors, sponsors, grant-making organizations, and community leaders, and ensuring accurate donor stewardship through appropriate development systems. The Executive Director will oversee annual fundraising initiatives such as annual giving, major gifts, sponsorships, memberships, special events, and capital campaigns, as well as identify, write, and manage grant opportunities. The role also includes financial and operational oversight, including budget and cash flow accountability, monitoring performance against financial goals, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, managing risk and insurance, and overseeing contracts and reporting related to theater operations and programming activity; team leadership and strong communication skills are expected.