Executive Director

LA Jazz Festival Foundation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plan

401k retirement

Paid vacation/PTO

Bonus structure

Paid travel

Job summary

The Los Angeles Jazz Festival Foundation is seeking an Executive Director to lead the philanthropic arm, report to the Board, and drive vision, fundraising, and program growth across California. This role represents the foundation locally and nationally and requires strong leadership and relationship-building across sectors.

You will oversee day-to-day operations, strategy, KPIs, and partnerships, while expanding jazz education programs and ensuring compliance with nonprofit guidelines.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in senior management in music or nonprofit.

Responsibilities

• Lead the foundation's mission and operating plan across finance, marketing, programs, grantmaking, and governance.
• Develop and manage a growing portfolio of jazz programs in California and act as chief global ambassador.
• Oversee annual operating plans, fundraising calendar, and KPI tracking.
• Build partnerships with music education and industry stakeholders and represent the foundation publicly.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising & grant writing

Board management

Community engagement

Stakeholder relations

Analytical ability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

The Los Angeles Jazz Festival Foundation is a public, non-profit, 501(c)3 charity, which is committed to improving the health and welfare of underserved youth and families by bridging jazz, music, arts and culture with those in need. The LA Jazz Festival Foundation was created to address the enormous gap in music education, particularly in underserved communities where Jazz, an American-made genre, is so seldom taught.

The Los Angeles Jazz Festival Foundation is looking for a dynamic leader to serve as the Executive Director of the philanthropic arm of the Los Angeles Jazz Festival, the newest entry into the global jazz festival market. The Executive Director will report to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and will be responsible for all day-to-day operations, as well as shaping the future of the organization through vision, values, leadership, and strategy. The Executive Director is the primary face of the foundation, is the chief fundraiser, and must be able to cultivate, build, and maintain strong and authentic relationships with a wide range of partners across multiple sectors.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be the primary leader of the foundation’s mission and annual operating plan including finance, marketing, program, grantmaking, infrastructure, legal, as well as board development and engagement.
• Be accountable for developing and managing a growing portfolio of jazz programs in California and will serve as the foundation's chief global ambassador.
• Lead the development and execution of the foundation’s rolling annual and 3-year operating plans including program expansion.
• Establish, refine, track and report on key KPIs in support of the foundation’s mission and goals for fundraising, program expansion, program efficacy and awareness.
• Lead the development and execution of the annual fundraising calendar, with clear quarterly goals and well-defined outreach and partnership activities.
• Lead the identification and development of in-school and after-school programs that align with the foundation’s mission.
• Manage the day-to-day logistics of foundation activities in the communities we serve.
• Ensure the development and maintenance of highly effective working relationships with key music education partners, the music industry, k-12, university and music conservatories, as well as organizations working to advance jazz globally.
• Collect and analyze data from all foundation-supported music education programs to validate efficacy, promote sustainability and measure positive outcomes and impact.
• Oversee program expansion into other cities.
• Build the foundation Board of Directors and Board development programs.
• Arrange and attend board meetings and activities including preparing facilities and agenda, oversee materials development, implement board directives, and communicate with the Board between meetings.
• Lead the Board in its strategic planning and establish objectives based on goals and budget considerations agreed upon by the Board.
• Work with the foundation’s general counsel and finance teams to ensure compliance with 501(c)(3) annual regulations and filings.
• Be a respected leader representing the Foundation locally, regionally, and nationally, and demonstrate the ability to partner across racial, economic, ethnic, and geographic differences with authenticity.
• Represent the foundation in the community at large - at public and private events, grantee events, public hearings, panels, and various other engagements in the region, including board service for other community nonprofits or philanthropic organizations.
• Grantmaking and related activities.

EXPERIENCE

• Significant experience leading a non-profit and/or broad experience in senior management of a nonprofit.
• Experience in the music, arts and/or jazz industry and strong ability to build relationships across the entire sector.
• Significant experience working in communities of color, particularly as a peer with community-based organizational leaders.
• Fundraising, grant writing or other resource development experience.
• Experience as the face of an organization either as their Executive Director, Marketing Director or Community Affairs Director.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, superb oral and written communication skills, as well as the ability to listen and present ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Evidence of developing and implementing strategy by being a strategic thinker, planner, and executor, with an inclusive operating style that encourages engagement.
• A history of strong collaboration and actively seeking strategic partnerships.
• Excellent analytical ability.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years serving in a senior management position with the music or non-profit sectors.
• 3+ years recent work experience in communities of color.
• 3+ years leading successful fundraising and/or grant-writing initiatives.
• 3+ years managing, communicating with and/or building a Board of Directors.
• Flexibility and willing to work with a limited budget, yet be resourceful to find in-kind & pro bono donations and attract professional volunteerism.
• Grant application and administration experience.
• Bachelor's degree, at a minimum, advanced degree and/or relevant professional experience preferred.

SALARY & BENEFITS

• Salary
  • As a new non-profit, we are committed to offering a starting salary of $100,000 annually with an aggressive growth plan, based on successful fundraising, that should grow by 20% annually over the first 3 years. Salary reviews have been approved by the Board to include 90 day reviews, each with salary enhancements to reach the 20% annual goal.
• Healthplan, 401k retirement and a competitive vacation and paid time off packages
• Bonus structure
• Paid travel

starting salary of $100,000 annually with an aggressive growth plan, based on successful fundraising, that should grow by 20% annually over the first 3 years.