The client seeks an Executive Director to lead an association during a consequential period for music education and for the organization. The role is expected to unite a complex national network around clear priorities, strengthen trust with state music education associations and members, and translate the organization’s mission into measurable value and sustainable impact. The successful leader will balance big-picture national perspective with disciplined execution, communicate with clarity, listen without defensiveness, and make difficult decisions when needed to enable staff, volunteer leaders, and affiliates to succeed together.
The Executive Director is appointed by and accountable to the association’s National Executive Board and serves as the organization’s chief staff executive. The role leads a national staff organized across finance and administration, governance, advocacy and public policy, professional development and publications, development, communications, membership, and programs for members and students. In the first year, the Executive Director is expected to listen deeply, establish a shared agenda with the National Executive Board, strengthen affiliate relationships, deepen member value, align staff capacity with priorities, and produce a credible plan for membership, revenue diversification, and measurable impact.
Key responsibilities include partnering with the National Executive Board to translate mission and strategic direction into focused, measurable organizational goals; providing timely, candid information to elected leadership; and maintaining mission-centered leadership supported by disciplined prioritization and a sustainable business model. The Executive Director will further work to demonstrate the value of national membership, strengthen trust with state leaders and members, and define a mutually beneficial partnership between the national organization and its state affiliates. The role also requires helping music educators navigate evolving pressures in the field, such as teacher shortages, school funding pressures, declining enrollment, and artificial intelligence, while connecting strategic choices and programs to meaningful, measurable outcomes for educators and students.