Director, Administration & Special Initiatives

The Woodruff Arts Center; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Woodruff Arts Center seeks a Director of Administration & Special Initiatives to partner with the President & CEO and drive priority initiatives across the organization. This role leads executive-level projects, oversees cross-functional work, and builds strategic partnerships to advance the Center’s mission.

With responsibility for the Arts + Health Laboratory: Georgia’s NeuroArts Coalition, the director will coordinate coalition activities, research partnerships, communications, and data

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, public health, business administration, or related field.
• 8-10 years of progressive experience in executive support, strategic project management, or program/coalition leadership.
• Experience managing multi-stakeholder partnerships or coalitions.
• Experience supporting a C-suite executive or senior leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level administrative and operational support to the CEO.
• Manage and track CEO-directed projects, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and action items remain on schedule.
• Prepare executive briefing materials, presentations, reports, correspondence, and meeting agendas.
• Serve as a liaison between the CEO and internal and external stakeholders, facilitating communication and timely follow-up.
• Manage confidential and sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
• Lead high-priority strategic initiatives and cross-department coordination for priority initiatives.
• Oversee Arts + Health Laboratory leadership, coalition strategy, and partnerships.
• Develop external relationships and identify collaboration and funding opportunities.

Skills

Executive support

Strategic planning

Coalition leadership

Stakeholder management

Budget management

C-suite support

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Woodruff Arts Center employees play an integral role in creating and supporting great art and education initiatives at the nation’s third largest arts center. Comprised of three Art Partners—Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art—there’s a role for everyone at The Woodruff.

Reports to: Chief Development and Strategy Officer FLSA: United States of America (Exempt) Employment Status: Regular/Full time

The Director of Administration & Special Initiatives serves as a strategic partner to the President & CEO, leading high-priority initiatives that advance the Woodruff Arts Center’s mission and long-term strategic priorities.

The position is responsible for managing a portfolio of executive initiatives, overseeing cross-functional projects, building partnerships, and driving implementation across the organization.

One of the Director’s primary responsibilities is providing strategic leadership for the Arts + Health Laboratory: Georgia’s NeuroArts Coalition.

As organizational priorities evolve, the Director will also lead additional initiatives and special projects identified by the CEO, requiring agility, collaboration, and the ability to navigate complex organizational environments.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized strategic thinker who enjoys building new programs, bringing diverse stakeholders together, and translating vision into action.

WORK SCHEDULE

Standard office hours are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; however, evening and weekend availability is required for events

Executive Support and CEO Administration

• Provide high level administrative and operational support to the CEO, ensuring seamless coordination of strategic priorities
• Manage and track CEO-directed projects, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and action items remain on schedule
• Prepare executive briefing materials, presentations, reports, correspondence, and meeting agendas
• Serve as a liaison between the CEO and internal and external stakeholders facilitating communication and ensuring timely follow-up
• Manage confidential and sensitive information with the highest degree of professionalism and discretion
• Anticipate the CEO’s administrative and operational needs proactively identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness

Executive Strategic Initiatives

• Project manage high-priority strategic initiatives on behalf of the President & CEO
• Develop project plans, structures, timelines, budgets, and implementation strategies
• Coordinate work across multiple departments to ensure successful execution of strategic priorities
• Conduct research, benchmarking, and analysis to support executive decision-making
• Prepare presentations, briefing materials, reports, and recommendations for the President & CEO and executive leadership
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and recommend solutions
• Lead additional initiatives and special projects as organizational priorities evolve

Arts + Health Laboratory Leadership

• In coordination with the VP of Communications and Strategy, provide strategic and operational leadership for the Arts + Health Laboratory and Georgia’s NeuroArts Coalition
• Oversee coalition strategy, stakeholder engagement, convenings, research partnerships, communications, and data management
• Advance collaboration among healthcare organizations, universities, artists, researchers, community organizations, and funders
• Support growth and long-term sustainability of the initiative
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of annual statewide convening and quarterly network convenings
• Manage a portfolio of coalition initiatives, research projects, partnerships, and special programs

Partnership Development & External Relations

• Develop and strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Work with the President & CEO and CDO to identify opportunities for collaboration and funding
• Represent the organization internally and externally as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required, in nonprofit management, public health, business administration, or related field.
• 8-10 years of progressive experience in executive support, strategic project management, or program/coalition leadership, ideally within a nonprofit, arts, healthcare, or academic setting
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-stakeholder partnerships or coalitions (healthcare systems, universities, funders, community organizations)
• Prior experience supporting a C-suite executive or senior leadership team preferred
• Experience with budget development and management for programs or initiatives
• Familiarity with the arts, health, or neuroscience/wellness sectors a plus, but not required

Additional Scope

The portfolio of responsibilities associated with this position is expected to evolve over time. In addition to the Arts + Health Laboratory, the Director will assume leadership of new strategic initiatives, institutional priorities, and special projects as assigned by the President & CEO.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Position requires constant walking, climbing stairs and occasional sitting, lifting, and carrying at least 20 pounds.

The Woodruff Arts Center is one of the largest arts centers in the world, home to the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre, the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and the High Museum of Art, the leading art museum in the Southeast. Over 800,000 patrons travel to The Woodruff for outstanding theatre, music and exhibitions each year.

Employment

Woodruff Arts Center employees play an integral role in creating and supporting great art and education initiatives at the nation’s third largest arts center. Comprised of three Art Partners—Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art—there’s a role for everyone at The Woodruff.

Benefits