Executive Director

Chorus America; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 10,000 - 15,000; Part time

Job summary

William Ferris Chorale in Chicago is seeking an executive director for a part-time, hybrid role. You will lead fundraising, operations, and outreach in collaboration with the Board and Artistic/Music Director.

The position includes grant writing, donor engagement, and strategic planning to grow the organization’s reach for the new artistic era. Hybrid presence in Chicago is required and New Music USA mentorship is available.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years nonprofit experience, arts-focused preferred.
• Proven fundraising and donor development experience.
• Grant writing for arts projects.
• Executive leadership experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement a fundraising and donor engagement plan.
• Secure funding and grant opportunities for programs.
• Cultivate relationships with foundations and individual donors.
• Coordinate annual fundraising events and donor events.
• Develop audience and donor growth plans for 3–5 seasons.
• Manage website, social media, and electronic newsletter.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor engagement

Grant writing

Stakeholder relations

Marketing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Salary: $10,000.00 - $15,000.00 Annually

Application Deadline: Aug 31, 2026

Administrative

Organization Overview

Chicago’s leading voice in new music, WFC seeks to redefine “choir.” At the forefront of Chicago’s contemporary music scene for over 50 years, and with over 200 premiere performances, we expand choral repertoire through the performance of living composers. By supporting voices innovating choral music, our artists create new connections with the world around us, connecting audiences, composers and artists in unparalleled ways

Position Overview

The William Ferris Chorale has an immediate opening for a part-time, hybrid Executive Director.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic leader with experience managing administrative, operational, and fundraising activities at a small non-profit organization. The Executive Director will also be responsible for growing the organization’s reach and profile as the Chorale begins a new artistic era. This position reports to the Board of Directors and works in close partnership with the Artistic and Music Director.

Additional benefit this season is participation in New Music USA’s Chicago mentorship cohort. This grant-funded opportunity will bring together 11 other Chicago-based arts organizations for monthly group sessions designed to enhance audience and donor engagement, embrace new marketing and partnership opportunities and more.

Current salary: $10-15,000 annually

Average of 40-50 hours monthly

Hybrid opportunity with presence in Chicago needed for concerts, fundraisers, donor engagement opportunities, rehearsals and more.

Core Responsibilities

• Creates and implements a fundraising and donor engagement plan, including Annual Fund solicitation, general appeal and major gift prospecting, and donor community development.
• Secure funding and artistic opportunities for Chorale through finding, writing and securing grant funding for projects, operating costs and artistic initiatives.
• Identifies and cultivates relationships with new and existing foundations and individual donors, submitting proposals and reports.
• Coordinates all aspects of annual fundraising events and occasional small group donor events.

Marketing and Communications

• Conducts marketing and public relations outreach, including drafting and distributing press releases and cultivating relationships with media contacts and the community-at-large.
• Develop and maintain a plan for audience and donor growth over next 3-5 seasons, increasing current audience and donor portfolio.
• Manages and creates content for website, social media pages, and an electronic newsletter.
• Identifies new partnerships with media and other organizations to raise the profile of the Chorale and introduce it to new audiences.
• Collaborates with the Artistic and Music Director and a graphic designer to create concert programs.

Administration/Operations

• Develops and implements the Chorale’s strategic plan in conjunction with the Artistic and Music Director and Board of Directors.
• In collaboration with Artistic Director, oversee performance logistics and operations, including securing performance spaces, maintaining master schedules for rehearsals and performances, and overseeing ticket sales and day-of-event box office.
• Manages organizational finances, including developing annual operational and artistic budgets, in collaboration with Artistic and Music Director and overseeing management of all funds, in partnership with the Board Treasurer and consistent with the organization’s accounting system.
• Manages organizational systems, including donor database and accounting system.

Staff Leadership and Management

• Work with the Artistic and Music Director to develop weekly or biweekly meetings, as well as donor and partnership stewardship meetings.
• Coordinates work with the Board of Directors and volunteers, including preparing materials and reports for board meetings.

Experience/Qualifications

• Preference of 5-10 years of nonprofit experience, preferably with an arts-focused organization, and demonstrated track record of increasing responsibility.
• Prior executive leadership experience and a college degree preferred, but not required.
• Proven record as a successful fundraiser, including securing individual gifts, and growing organizational budgets on an annual basis.
• Successful track record finding, writing and securing grant funding for arts organizations and performance projects
• Outstanding written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Fully proficient with Microsoft Office, Google Office Suite, and familiarity with CRM systems.
• Strong problem, solving, critical thinking, and judgment skills.
• Must be able to collaborate effectively with Artistic and Music Director
• Visionary and innovating thinking, and a strong desire to grow the organization.
• Knowledge of the Chicago area arts community (organizations, venues, funders, etc.) a plus.
• Enthusiasm about and appreciation for choral music.
• Willingness and ability to perform other duties as assigned and able to pass background checks

It is the intent of the William Ferris Chorale to follow both the letter and the spirit of local, state, and federal laws governing Equal Opportunity Employment as those laws exist today and as they may change in the future.