Executive Director-Lead a Transformational New Arts Center

Meyer Art Center; Stanwood (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO policy

Job summary

The Meyer Art Center seeks a visionary Executive Director to lead a new regional arts hub in Stanwood‑Camano, guiding mission, strategy, and fundraising through an organizational transition.

The role requires a passion for the arts, extensive nonprofit leadership, and the ability to build infrastructure, cultivate donors, and engage the community. Salary reflects a broad range and excellent benefits are anticipated.

Qualifications

• Minimum five (5) years of progressive nonprofit leadership experience, or equivalent transferable experience.
• Demonstrated fundraising success including major gifts cultivation, foundation relations, and/or capital or comprehensive campaign participation.
• Strong financial management skills; experience managing organizational budgets of $500,000+ is preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, donor correspondence, and grant writing.
• Proven ability to build authentic community relationships across diverse constituencies and sectors.
• High emotional intelligence, collaborative leadership style, and the ability to lead with both care and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the board to execute and continuously evolve the organization's strategic plan.
• Lead The Meyer through its transition from a volunteer-driven model to a professionally staffed organization.
• Build institutional systems, internal policies, and an organizational culture grounded in mission.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across all programming, hiring, and community engagement.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and public ambassador for The Meyer’s values and vision.
• Co-lead the active capital campaign alongside board leadership and campaign counsel; cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors.
• Maintain donor records, plans, and gift stewardship documentation; prepare foundation grant applications and reports.
• Develop and manage the annual operating budget in partnership with the board treasurer; ensure financial controls and audit readiness.
• Oversee day-to-day operations including vendor contracts, facility management, and compliance; lead grant writing and reporting.
• Identify and pursue new earned revenue and contributed income opportunities to diversify The Meyer’s financial base.
• Build and sustain deep roots in the Stanwood-Camano community; grow a robust volunteer program.
• Develop strategic partnerships with local schools, government, tribal communities, and regional arts networks.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and mission-aligned organizational culture; establish role definitions and development pathways.

Skills

Nonprofit leadership

Fundraising experience

Financial management

Public speaking

Donor relations

Community engagement

Emotional intelligence

Job description

The Meyer Art Center’s (The Meyer) mission is to build community by partnering, educating, celebrating, and advocating for the arts. We are seeking a visionary, community-centered Executive Director to lead the opening of a new regional arts and cultural hub in the Stanwood‑Camano area and guide The Meyer into its next chapter. We are at a pivotal moment: building a new cultural facility, conducting a capital campaign, strengthening our board and building on a community culture of volunteerism.We are shaping the future of the Stanwood‑Camano region. As a community anchor, The Meyer cultivates creativity, builds belonging, and makes the arts accessible to all.

Position Summary

The full-time Executive Director will be a transformational leader of our nonprofit organization. This is an opportunity to help shape not only a new facility, but the institution, programs, partnerships, and organizational culture that will define The Meyer for years to come.

The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated nonprofit leadership experience, a genuine love of the arts and community, and will be energized by the challenge of building institutional infrastructure while remaining deeply rooted in the community The Meyer serves. Emotional intelligence and the ability to lead through our upcoming organizational transition are vital, as are strategic thinking, relationship building, financial stewardship, and a deep respect for the culture and character of the Stanwood-Camano community.

Success in this role will depend on four priorities:

• Achieving our capital campaign objectives
• Building a sustainable long-term development program during, after, and beyond the capital campaign
• Building a strong organizational and operational foundation
• Community leadership and engagement

As Executive Director you will serve as Meyer’s chief executive, public face, and primary fundraising leader. You’ll work in partnership with Board leadership, with responsibility for day-to-day campaign execution, donor cultivation and stewardship, grant development and reporting, communications, and coordination. Board leadership will provide campaign leadership, introductions, and support for major donor relationships.

You will inherit a passionate volunteer base, a committed board, and deep community goodwill. You will be expected to build on these strengths with professional rigor and visionary purpose.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Vision

• Partner with the board to execute and continuously evolve the organization's strategic plan
• Lead The Meyer through its transition from a volunteer-driven model to a professionally staffed organization
• Build institutional systems, internal policies, and an organizational culture grounded in mission
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across all programming, hiring, and community engagement
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and public ambassador for The Meyer’s values and vision

Capital Campaign & Major Donor Engagement

• Serve as co-leader of the active capital campaign alongside board leadership and campaign counsel
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, private foundations and corporate partners
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date donor records, plans, and gift stewardship documentation
• Prepare and submit foundation grant applications and reports in compliance with all funder requirements
• Represent The Meyer at community events, regional philanthropic convenings, and donor cultivation gatherings

Financial Stewardship & Operations

• Develop and manage the annual operating budget in close partnership with the board treasurer
• Ensure sound financial controls, timely financial reporting, and ongoing audit readiness
• Oversee day-to-day operations including vendor contracts, facility management, and organizational compliance
• Lead grant writing, grant reporting, and full compliance with all funding agreements and restrictions
• Identify and pursue new earned revenue and contributed income opportunities to diversify The Meyer’s financial base

Community Engagement & Volunteerism

• Build and sustain deep, authentic roots in the Stanwood-Camano community as a trusted civic partner
• Grow and steward a robust volunteer program as a core organizational asset and expression of community belonging
• Develop strategic partnerships with local schools, municipal government, tribal communities, and regional arts networks
• Serve as a visible, trusted, and enthusiastic ambassador for the role of the arts in community life
• Hire, manage, evaluate, and develop all paid staff and key contractors
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and mission-aligned organizational culture at every level
• Establish clear role definitions, performance expectations, and professional development pathways for all team members
• Ensure volunteers are well-supported, recognized, and meaningfully integrated into the organization's work

Board Partnership & Governance

• Support board effectiveness through timely reporting, well-prepared meeting materials, and responsive communication
• Partner with the board chair on governance development, committee structure, and board recruitment
• Ensure the board has the information, context, and analysis needed to fulfill its fiduciary and strategic responsibilities
• Facilitate productive board and committee meetings and follow through on all board-directed actions

Programming & Cultural Competency

• Oversee the development, quality, and coherence of arts programming, exhibitions, arts education, and community events
• Ensure programming authentically reflects the cultural diversity, history, and values of the region. Acknowledge and utilize the area’s rich artistic heritage and existing arts organizations and communities.
• Integrate community voices including underrepresented groups —into programming decisions and organizational direction
• Evaluate program effectiveness through participant feedback, community input, and outcome measurement

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum five (5) years of progressive nonprofit leadership experience, or equivalent transferable experience
• Demonstrated fundraising success including major gifts cultivation, foundation relations, and/or capital or comprehensive campaign participation
• Strong financial management skills; experience managing organizational budgets of $500,000 + is preferred
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, donor correspondence, and grant writing
• Proven ability to build authentic community relationships across diverse constituencies and sectors
• High emotional intelligence, collaborative leadership style, and the ability to lead with both care and accountability

Preferred

• Cross‑sector leadership experience — whether in arts, culture, nonprofit, or business environments is valued; familiarity with creative‑sector organizations is a plus.
• Direct capital campaign leadership or management experience
• Experience cultivating major donors, private foundations, and regional philanthropic partners
• Experience building or managing volunteer programs as a meaningful organizational function
• Familiarity with the Stanwood-Camano community, Island County/Snohomish County context, or rural and small-town civic environments in Washington State

Salary Range - $85,000 – $140,000 annually, commensurate with experience

Employment Classification - Full-Time, Exempt

Paid Time Off - Generous PTO policy inclusive of vacation, sick leave, and observed holidays

Professional Development - Annual budget to support continued growth and sector engagement

Additional Benefits - Benefits package details to be confirmed; board in active review

Meyer Art Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.