President & CEO

Americans for the Arts; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

The Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia in Charleston seeks a President & CEO to provide visionary leadership and oversee strategic and operational functions as it enters its next chapter.

The successful candidate will combine fundraising success with strategic vision and executive leadership experience in a museum, performing arts, science center, or similar mission-driven organization, and will serve as an energetic ambassador to donors, board members, and the community.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a mission-driven cultural or educational nonprofit.
• Strong fundraising, relationship-building, and strategic leadership skills.
• Ability to partner with donors, boards and community leaders.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary, strategic, and operational leadership for the organization.
• Grow philanthropy, sustainability, and community impact.
• Build relationships with donors, board members and partners.

Job description

President & CEO

Reporting to the Board of Directors

Charleston, West Virginia

The Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia is a 240,000-square-foot center in the heart of Charleston where the performing arts, visual arts, sciences, and education come together under one roof. Since opening in 2003, the Clay Center has welcomed millions of visitors and established itself as a destination for discovery, creativity, entertainment, and lifelong learning. Its mission is to inspire creativity, learning, and wonder through experiences in the arts and sciences for all people of West Virginia and the region.

Today, the Clay Center offers a wide range of cultural, artistic, scientific, and educational experiences. The 1,800-seat Maier Foundation Performance Hall and Walker Theater host live entertainment and performances; the Avampato Discovery Museum offers three floors of interactive science and STEAM experiences; the Juliet Art Museum presents exhibitions featuring local, national, and international artists; and the 175-seat Caperton Planetarium & Theater offers immersive films, astronomy experiences, and educational programming. To learn more about the Clay Center, please click https://www.theclaycenter.org/.

The Clay Center seeks a President & CEO to provide visionary, strategic, and operational leadership as the organization enters its next chapter. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with senior leadership, the President & CEO will establish a compelling vision for the future, strengthen philanthropy and long‑term sustainability, expand the Center's reach and community impact, and ensure its resources remain aligned with its mission and long‑term ambitions.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and visionary executive who combines demonstrated fundraising success and relationship‑building skills with strategic vision, executive leadership experience, and a passion for advancing the Clay Center's role as a premier cultural and educational institution. The successful candidate will bring senior leadership experience within a museum, performing arts organization, science center, educational institution, cultural organization, or similar mission‑driven enterprise, along with strong financial acumen and the ability to lead complex organizations and high‑performing teams. This leader will be an energetic and highly visible ambassador who can build trusted relationships with donors, board members, community leaders, and strategic partners while articulating a compelling vision for the Clay Center's future.

The Clay Center offers a competitive benefits package.

For best consideration, please submit your materials by December 18, 2026.