Executive Director, Performing Arts

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

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

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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…