Executive Director, Performing Arts

Maryland Nonprofits; National Harbor (MD); Remote; USD 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days

Paid holidays

Health insurance

SIMPLE IRA employer matching

Job summary

CAAPA, a national performing arts organization, seeks an Executive Director to lead artistic and organizational strategy, cultivate partnerships, and drive fundraising efforts. The role emphasizes financial stewardship, governance, and community engagement across music, education, and cultural programming.

The ED will work closely with the Board and staff to expand CAAPA's regional and national impact. The position is primarily remote, with occasional on-site attendance for meetings,

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of progressive leadership experience in performing arts, choral arts, music, cultural arts administration, or closely related nonprofit organizations.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in fundraising and donor development.
• Strong financial and budget management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Reside in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area and capable of remote work with occasional on-site attendance.

Responsibilities

• Lead CAAPA's strategic vision and annual operating plan.
• Oversee programming, fundraising, and artistic partnerships.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategy; cultivate major donors and foundations.
• Ensure strong governance and financial controls; present clear financial information to the Board.
• Serve as CAAPA's chief ambassador and spokesperson to expand visibility and impact.
• Recruit, develop, and supervise staff, volunteers, and contractors.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Financial management

Communication

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Board collaboration

Community engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

Tools

Microsoft 365

Donor/CRM Database Management

QuickBooks or similar accounting software

Job description

Reports to: Board of Directors
Supervises: Staff, contractors, consultants, and volunteers, as applicable
Classification: Exempt (W-2)

Position Overview

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and cultural leader of CAAPA, ensuring both artistic excellence and organizational sustainability. This individual will be a passionate advocate for African American performing arts and will work closely with artists, educators, community leaders, donors, and the Board to expand CAAPA's impact through music, performance, arts education, and cultural programming. CAAPA's programs include music and choral performance, youth arts education, cultural heritage programming, artist development, and community engagement initiatives.

This position requires substantive professional experience in the music, choral, classical, or performing arts sector.

The Executive Director provides overall leadership for strategy, programming, fundraising, financial stewardship, organizational development, community partnerships, and external relations. The Executive Director ensures that CAAPA operates with strong governance, sound financial management, and measurable impact while positioning the organization for sustainable long-term growth.

Success in this role is measured by organizational impact, financial sustainability, strategic execution, and strong relationships with artists, educators, donors, partners, and the Board.

For more information about CAAPA visit https://4caapa.org

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead creation and implementation of CAAPA's strategic vision and annual operating plan.
• Work closely with the Board to establish priorities, evaluate opportunities, and measure organizational performance.
• Identify emerging opportunities that expand CAAPA's impact throughout the region and nationally.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Program Leadership

• Support artistic planning, audience development, and program growth across CAAPA's music, educational, and cultural initiatives.
• Collaborate with artists, musicians, educators, conductors, performers, and artistic partners to maintain high-quality performing arts programming.

Fundraising and Advancement

Lead and expand CAAPA's fundraising and advancement efforts by:

• Developing and implementing an annual fundraising strategy.
• Cultivating relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Working with the Board to strengthen its fundraising capacity.
• Identifying new revenue opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Ensuring grant development and stewardship.

Financial Leadership

Provide sound financial stewardship by:

• Developing annual budgets with Board approval.
• Monitoring financial performance and cash flow.
• Ensuring appropriate financial controls and reporting.
• Managing resources responsibly to achieve strategic priorities.
• Presenting clear financial information to the Board.

Board Partnership and Governance

• Partner with the Board to support governance, strategic planning, committee operations, policy implementation, and informed decision-making.
• Implement Board policies and priorities.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board.

Community Engagement

• Serve as CAAPA's chief ambassador and spokesperson, building relationships with artists, musicians, ensembles, educators, community stakeholders, arts organizations, donors, government agencies, and corporate partners while increasing CAAPA’s visibility and community impact.

Organizational Leadership

• Recruiting, developing, and supervising staff, volunteers, and contractors.
• Establishing clear goals and accountability.
• Creating an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture.
• Ensuring compliance with legal, financial, and nonprofit best practices.

Qualifications

Required:

• Seven or more years of progressive leadership experience in performing arts, choral arts, music, cultural arts, arts administration, or closely related nonprofit organizations.
• Knowledge of performing arts programming, artist engagement, audience development, and cultural arts operations.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated success leading organizations or major initiatives.
• Experience in fundraising and donor development.
• Strong financial and budget management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Commitment to CAAPA's mission.
• Reside in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area.
• This position is primarily remote, with occasional on-site attendance required for meetings, special events, performances, donor engagements, board meetings, and other mission-critical activities.

Preferred:

• Experience with choral, vocal, instrumental, classical music, theater, dance, or interdisciplinary arts organizations.
• Experience working directly with artists, ensembles, performers, educators, and arts institutions.
• Grant writing and grant management experience.
• Experience working with nonprofit boards.
• Knowledge of arts education and community engagement.
• Existing relationships within the Washington metropolitan arts community and a broad network of arts professionals and organizations nationwide.

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership
• Fundraising, marketing, and resource development
• Financial management
• Relationship building
• Organizational management
• Board collaboration
• Community engagement
• Written and verbal communication
• Technology literacy
• Sound judgment and integrity
• Results orientation

Technical Skills

• Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)
• Budgeting and Financial Reporting
• Grant Management and Compliance Reporting
• QuickBooks or similar accounting software
• Donor/CRM Database Management
• Virtual Collaboration Platforms
• Social Media and Digital Marketing
• Website Content Management Systems

Success Measures

During the first 12–24 months, the Executive Director will:

• Enhance CAAPA's financial sustainability and diversify revenue.
• Deepen engagement with artists, ensembles, arts educators, and cultural organizations throughout the region.
• Increase contributed income from individuals, foundations, corporations, and public sources.
• Expand strategic partnerships that advance CAAPA's mission.
• Maintain high-quality educational and performance programs.
• Build organizational capacity through effective staff leadership and operational systems.
• Advance Board engagement in governance, fundraising, and strategic planning.
• Increase CAAPA's visibility and community impact through effective communications and public leadership.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $60,000 annually.

• Ten (10) paid vacation days annually.
• Eight (8) paid holidays annually.
• Employer health insurance contribution.
• SIMPLE IRA employer matching contribution.

Other Compensation: None.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and verification of qualifications, employment history, and references.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CAAPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that values diversity, equity, and respect. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.