Executive Director

Arts Hacker; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b)

Vacation: 15 days

US federal holidays: 11

Sick leave: 40 hours

Job summary

Solas Nua is seeking an Executive Director to lead a Washington, DC-based, multi-disciplinary Irish arts organization into its next chapter. You will partner with the Board, Artistic Director, and staff to shape strategy, programs, and fundraising, while serving as a prominent public face for the organization.

The role demands senior non-profit/arts management experience, strategic oversight, and a collaborative leadership style.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership and governance experience in non-profit or arts settings.
• Strong fundraising and development track record with donors and grant making.
• Experience guiding strategic planning and organizational growth in a cultural enterprise.

Responsibilities

• Lead Solas Nua's strategic development and public presence.
• Oversee programs, budgeting, staff, and policy compliance with the Board and Finance Committee.
• Drive fundraising, grant writing, and revenue diversification with stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Non-profit management

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Neon CRM

Job description

Overview:

Solas Nua, a Washington, DC based multi-disciplinary arts organization dedicated exclusively to contemporary Irish arts, seeks an Executive Director to lead the organization into its third decade. The primary roles of the Executive Director are to lead and manage the organization’s strategic development, to drive its mission and vision, and act as a public face for the organization. This position is a senior‑level role for an accomplished, charismatic leader with extensive experience in non‑profit and/or arts management. The ideal applicant will demonstrate a balance of skills: management expertise; development and fundraising skills; commitment to and knowledge of contemporary arts, with an interest in Irish arts; and excellent people skills.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the leadership and management of Solas Nua. This is a full‑time, salaried position based in or near Washington, D.C. The Executive Director will be available for frequent in‑person interactions with artists, stakeholders, funders, and Board members.

The Executive Director works closely with the Board of Directors, Artistic Director, and staff of Solas Nua. The Executive Director will be responsible for leading the organization and executing a new Strategic Plan, which will drive exceptional artistic programming, long‑term sustainability of the organization, and recognition of the work of the organization in both the U.S. and Ireland.

Primary Areas of Responsibility

Organizational Oversight

The Executive Director will oversee and has final responsibility for the artistic programs of Solas Nua in collaboration with Solas Nua’s Artistic Director, in keeping with the mission and vision of the organization; build and maintain relationships with all stakeholders; build collaborations and partnerships; and create, oversee, and hold staff accountable to program budgets, timelines, and acquisition of additional project funding when necessary.

General Management Responsibilities

The Executive Director will manage staff (in conjunction with the Artistic Director, as appropriate); ensure that Solas Nua’s volunteers are engaged and involved in Solas Nua’s programs and activities; prepare Board meeting agendas and attend Board meetings and sub‑committee meetings; assist the Board Chair in providing the Board with documentation, organizing board meetings, preparing agendas, and disseminating minutes in a timely manner; ensure that all legal, contractual, financial, health and safety, child protection, insurance, and other statutory obligations are observed and followed; identify, write, and maintain written organizational policies, ensuring that they are consistently up to date; and oversee the regular administration, filing, and archiving of documents and documentation.

Organizational Visibility

The Executive Director will work with the Artistic Director to enhance public perception and audience diversity and engagement through marketing strategies, relationship building, partnerships, and effective brand definition and management.

Fundraising and Development

As Executive Director and the leading member of the fundraising team, the Executive Director is responsible for sourcing new revenue streams in consultation with the Artistic Director, Board, and staff; writing grant and funding applications as appropriate; and developing relationships with existing donors and new donors. The Executive Director will also prepare, deliver, draw down, and report on all funding applications.

Financial Management

The Executive Director is responsible for the sound financial management of the organization and will prepare and manage annual budgets in consultation with the Treasurer and Finance Committee; ensure compliance with all statutory requirements; work with the Treasurer and external auditor to prepare annual audited accounts; work with the Treasurer to present quarterly financial reports to the Board; and manage accounts payable, receivable, and cash flow.

About You

You are innovative and ambitious, with dynamic vision and a deep passion for and knowledge of contemporary arts, as well an interest in Irish arts. You work well with others in a creative team and have strong management and financial skills. You have experience with Quickbooks Online and Neon or similar CRM software. You have experience in generating revenue and fundraising; running a non‑profit organization (arts organization preferred); managing teams; and building partnerships with staff, artists, board members, donors, and other stakeholders. You possess an ability to collaborate, network, negotiate, and influence at multiple levels. You are or will be based in the Washington, D.C. region.

Solas Nua is Committed to Diversity

Solas Nua is an Equal Opportunity employer, committed to diversity in hiring, contracting, and artistic representation. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We know that the perfect candidate does not exist. Not sure you meet every single requirement?

Research shows that women often only apply if they meet most criteria; men apply when they meet far fewer. If you believe you could excel in this role, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Compensation Package

• A base pay of $80,000 to $90,000 per annum


• 40 hour week (exempt)


• 15 days paid vacation and 11 US Federal holidays


• 40 hours paid sick leave
  
• 403(b)

Hybrid, flexible work environment, with frequent evening and weekend in‑person interactions with stakeholders and funders, as well as attendance at Solas Nua events and performances.

Solas Nua will reimburse approved and budgeted travel to conduct organization business, including travel to Ireland when appropriate; as well as reasonable, pre‑approved home oNice expenses related to Solas Nua business.

About Solas Nua

Solas Nua — ‘new light’ in Irish — is a leading multi-disciplinary arts organization that is dedicated exclusively to contemporary Irish arts. Based in Washington, D.C., our mission is to bring the best of contemporary Irish arts to the U.S. Our programming covers theatre, literature, film, music, dance, and visual arts, and we are committed to supporting and presenting contemporary art across traditional and emerging disciplines and media.

Solas Nua acts as an ambassador and advocate for Irish arts in the U.S., promoting contemporary, multi‑disciplinary Irish arts and culture. By oNering new opportunities for artists based in both Ireland and the U.S., Solas Nua provides access and inclusion for artists and audiences to connect and participate on both sides of the Atlantic. We present, produce and commission thought‑provoking and ground‑breaking work across the arts, and are recognized for making a substantive, unique contribution to the artistic and cultural richness of the city of Washington, D.C. and beyond. We present work that is cross‑cultural, representing today’s Ireland – a globally diverse society. Our programming reflects our conviction that Irish arts travel across borders, cultures, and socio‑economic lines.