Executive Director

Jacob Jonas The Company; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacob Jonas The Company (JJTC) is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit creating work at the intersection of dance, film, nature, health, and community. We seek an Executive Director to build sustainable systems, lead fundraising, and guide organizational growth.

You will partner with the Founder to shape the next chapter, establish revenue streams, and implement structures that support artistic mission and long-term stability.

Qualifications

• Proven fundraising experience including major donors and institutional supporters.
• Experience building and leading development programs in small or growing organizations.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with ability to implement systems.
• Ability to operate independently and take ownership in a founder-led setting.
• Familiarity with arts or culture organizations is helpful but not required.
• Comfort working with a board and donors across sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of JJTC’s fundraising strategy and implementation.
• Activate and grow board engagement in fundraising and donor cultivation.
• Identify and recruit new board members to enhance governance.
• Create clear development, communication, and planning systems for sustainability.
• Translate strategic ideas into actionable plans with follow-through.
• Support budgeting, prioritization, and long-term organizational growth.

Skills

Fundraising

Board development

Strategic leadership

Nonprofit leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

CRM systems

Budgeting software

Job description

ROLE

Executive Director

Full Time

LOCATION

Los Angeles, CA

DIRECT REPORT

Reports to Founder / Artistic Director and works closely with the Board of Directors

ABOUT

Jacob Jonas The Company (JJTC) is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit creative organization working at the intersection of dance, film, nature, health, and community.

We create original work across stages, screens, and nontraditional environments bringing dance into conversation with other disciplines, industries, and audiences. Our projects range from live performances and international touring to film, installations, and community-based experiences.

Over the past 10 years, the company has built a strong creative identity and global network of collaborators. We are now entering a pivotal moment: transitioning from project-based momentum into a sustainable, structured organization capable of long-term growth.

ROLE OVERVIEW

This is not a maintenance role. This is a build role. We are looking for an Executive Director who can step into a small, ambitious, creatively driven organization and help transform it into a sustainable, revenue-generating, and structurally sound company.

You will partner directly with the Founder to shape the next chapter of JJTC. You will build the financial and organizational infrastructure that will support the continued growth of the artistic mission.

You will not be handed a perfect system. You will help create it.

WHO YOU ARE

You are a builder.

You have raised money from individuals, foundations and corporations not just talked about it.

You understand that fundraising is relationships, consistency, and follow-through.

You are comfortable in small organizations where things are not fully defined. You see gaps and move toward them. You are organized, clear, and accountable. You don’t wait to be told what to do, and you don’t disappear when things get complex.

You can think big and know how to get there.

You are able to operate both strategically and tactically:

• you can think long-term
• but you can also send the email, make the call, and follow up

You are as comfortable in a living room with potential donors as you are in a spreadsheet or a planning document.

You respect artists and the creative process, but you are not precious about structure, you understand that sustainability requires discipline.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

FUNDRAISING & REVENUE (PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY)

You will lead the development and execution of JJTC’s fundraising efforts.

This includes:

• Building and executing a clear fundraising strategy
• Driving individual giving, with a focus on major donors
• Activating the board as an engaged fundraising body
• Identifying and cultivating new board members to move from a founder appointed board to a more independent board.
• Identifying and pursuing sponsorships, partnerships, and institutional support
• Creating consistent outreach and follow-up systems
• Using our CRM to organize our audiences and develop systems of communication
• Initial organizational fundraising goals are approximately $350,000 annually in contributed income, with plans for long-term growth.
• Lead cultivation events, donor gatherings, and annual fundraising initiatives including gala strategy and execution.

You will not wait for opportunities, you will generate them.

ORGANIZATIONAL BUILDING

You will help move JJTC from a project-based structure to a sustainable organization.

This includes:

• Building and implementing systems for development, communication, and planning
• Supporting financial planning and long-term sustainability
• Creating clarity around priorities, timelines, and execution

You will bring order without removing the creative core.

BOARD DEVELOPMENT

You will work closely with artistic leadership to strengthen and activate the board.

This includes:

• Supporting board members in becoming active advocates and fundraisers
• Helping identify and cultivate new board members
• Creating clear structure for communication, expectations, and engagement
• Supporting the transition from a founder-led board to a highly engaged governing board capable of supporting long-term organizational growth

STRATEGY EXECUTION

You will translate ideas into action.

This includes:

• Supporting prioritization across programming, fundraising, and operations
• Building short-term and long term planning that lead to real outcomes
• Ensuring follow-through across all initiatives

TEAM & CULTURE

You will work within a small, long-standing team navigating growth and transition.

Your role is to:

• bring clarity without creating friction
• Help support and contribute to JJTC’s existing culture of discipline, accountability, teamwork, and follow-through.
• Study leadership and enforce teamwork and productivity
• support structure without overcomplicating
• contribute to a culture of accountability, respect, and forward movement

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED

We are not evaluating this role on effort, we are evaluating it on outcomes.

Success in the first 6–12 months includes:

• A clear and functioning fundraising system
• Active board engagement in development efforts
• New donor relationships established
• Measurable growth in contributed income
• Increased organizational clarity and reduced pressure on internal team
• Progress toward annual contributed income goals of approximately $350,000 and beyond

REQUIREMENTS

• Proven experience in fundraising (including individual giving)
• Ability to build and manage relationships across multiple sectors
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Experience working in small or growing organizations
• Ability to operate independently and take ownership

Experience in the arts is helpful, but not required.

Belief in the value of the work is essential.

COMPENSATION

• Full Time position
• $80,000–$110,000 annually, based on experience and alignment.
• Salary growth can be expected as the organization develops.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

JJTC is at a defining moment. The creative foundation is strong. The opportunities are real. The work is resonating. What is needed now is structure, sustainability, and leadership that can turn momentum into longevity.

This role is an opportunity to:

• build something meaningful
• work closely with a founder-led creative organization
• and have a direct impact on the future of the company

FINAL NOTE

We are not looking for the perfect candidate. We are looking for someone who takes ownership, communicates clearly, and follows through. We are looking for someone who wants to prove themselves and grow as we grow the organization. If that’s you, we want to hear from you.

READ/WATCH

LA Times (link)

“ Choreographer Jacob Jonas’ Stage 4 cancer diagnosis and subsequent battle back to health is reflected in the premiere of a trilogy of new work at BroadStage.”

March 2026

Arts Unscripted (link) 30:30 Hosted by Monica Holt.

Jacob Jonas, Dancer, Choreographer, Founder of Films.Dance April 2026

6 Sides of Merce Cunningham (link) 6:43

Cultured Magazine (link)

Choreographer Jacob Jonas Is Making Moves By Lewis Segal

Abstract: Bjarke Ingles (link) 44:20

Briefly (link) 26:41

Every project starts with a brief. Bassett & Partners

Arts Unscripted (link) 46.25Hosted by Monica Holt.

Pamela Tatge, ED AD Jacob’s Pillow