Executive Director

Iris Collective is a Memphis-based arts organization that brings musicians, community partners, and audiences together through programs designed around three interconnected pillars:
Music as Mentorship, Music as Medicine, and Music as Meaning.
Across these areas, Iris works in partnership with schools, healthcare settings, community organizations, artists, and others throughout Greater Memphis to develop programs that respond to the needs and opportunities of the communities we serve.
Our approach is as important as the programs themselves. Iris believes in artistic excellence, meaningful collaboration, shared leadership, and equitable and inclusive practice. Rather than creating programs in isolation, we engage artists, partners, and communities in dialogue about what we create together. We value work that crosses artistic and societal boundaries and reflects the breadth and vitality of Greater Memphis.
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Iris Collective is seeking an experienced, collaborative Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter.
The Executive Director serves as Iris Collective’s chief organizational leader, fundraiser, and community ambassador. Working in partnership with the Board of Directors, staff, artists, advisors, donors, and community partners, the Executive Director provides the leadership and resources necessary for Iris Collective’s work across all programming to thrive.
A central priority of the position is relationship-based fundraising and network building throughout Greater Memphis. The Executive Director will cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, civic and community leaders, and other supporters; strengthen Iris Collective’s existing network; and develop new relationships that advance both the organization’s mission and its long-term financial sustainability.
The Executive Director also provides strategic, financial, and organizational leadership for Iris Collective, overseeing its human and financial resources and working closely with the Board to establish organizational direction. Iris is built around collaboration and shared leadership, so we are looking for someone who can lead decisively while also listening well, respecting the expertise of others, inviting dialogue, and creating a culture of trust, openness, accountability, and shared ownership.

Salary:
Starting at $85,000.
Iris Collective’s full-time employee benefits package includes paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, approved professional development support, and group health insurance benefits, with 100% of the employee’s health insurance premium currently paid by Iris Collective.

Priority consideration:
October 15, 2026