Executive Director

ACCORDA MUSIC-THANATOLOGY INSTITUTE; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 80,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Accorda Music-Thanatology Institute is seeking an Executive Director to guide growth and transform our training program and school operations into a sustainable, affordable, and flexible educational model for students. You will partner with the Board, oversee operations, and lead fundraising while ensuring compliance and financial health.

This hands-on leader will steward relationships with donors and align programs with our compassionate end-of-life care mission, all from a remote U.S.-based

Qualifications

• Experience leading nonprofit or mission-driven organizations.
• Ability to drive organizational redesigns and program improvements.
• Proven fundraising success and ability to steward relationships with donors.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Board to shape and implement strategy.
• Lead a focused restructuring to update curriculum and program delivery.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, programs, and administration.
• Lead fundraising, grantwriting, donor stewardship, and external relationships.
• Supervise the Program Director and the Executive Assistant.
• Ensure financial health, compliance, and organizational effectiveness.

Skills

Nonprofit leadership

Fundraising

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Donor stewardship

Job description

Executive Director

Accorda Music-Thanatology Institute | Remote (U.S.-based)

Accorda Music-Thanatology Institute is a growing nonprofit dedicated to training music-thanatologists who provide compassionate, end-of-life care through the prescriptive delivery of harp and voice. www.accordaschool.org

We are seeking a hands-on Executive Director to lead our next phase of growth including a targeted restructuring of our training program and school operations to support a more sustainable, affordable, and flexible educational model for students.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with the Board to shape and implement strategy
• Lead a focused restructuring effort to update the curriculum and program delivery model in ways that improve sustainability, affordability, and flexibility for students
• Oversee day-to-day operations, programs, and administration
• Lead fundraising, grantwriting, donor stewardship, and external relationships
• Supervise the Program Director and the Executive Assistant
• Ensure financial health, compliance, and organizational effectiveness

Qualities That Support Success in This Role

• Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven leadership
• Comfort leading short-term organizational or program redesign projects
• Strategic thinking; willingness to be hands-on
• Relationship builder; including fundraising and donor stewardship
• Commitment to compassionate end-of-life care

This is a unique opportunity to lead a small but impactful organization at a pivotal moment of growth.

Application Deadline: September 29, 2026

Final candidates must meet the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) requirements for School Director registration. This includes documenting at least two full‑time equivalent years of qualifying experience within the past five years (3,750 hours total, whether full‑time or cumulative part‑time) in school or business administration, teaching, or other directly related duties.

This is a remote position.