Executive Director

About the Choral Arts Society of Washington

With a mission to reawaken the human capacity for awe through the power of choral music, Choral Arts has a rich history of bringing the power of the human voice to audiences large and small. Choral Arts collaborates with a myriad of musicians, composers, and ensembles, weaving its shared passion, world-class repertoire, and radiant voices into a sound that resonates with and changes people. As the ambassador chorus based in Washington, DC, Choral Arts has a long-standing commitment to using the power of choral music to cross cultural boundaries and build community both inside and outside of the concert hall. This is evident through the organization’s annual partnership with embassies and tours through Italy, Russia, France, Brazil, Argentina, and China, as well as domestically. In the most recent years, Choral Arts has had the privilege to partner with the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the Republic of Ireland. The organization’s principal ensemble is the 130-voice auditioned volunteer Symphonic Chorus.

Founded in 1965 by Norman Scribner Choral Arts is regarded as one of the foremost symphonic choruses in the United States. Choral Arts is a Grammy award-winning organization that performs regularly with the National Symphony Orchestra, including each year for the televised broadcast of PBS’s A Capitol Fourth. With strong regional ties and worldwide recognition, invitations to perform are frequent, as indicated by performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and Mariinsky Orchestra.

The proud recipient of the Mayor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Contributions to Arts Education and two Mayor’s Arts Awards for Excellence in Artistic Discipline, Choral Arts demonstrates commitment to community outreach and education. Outreach includes an annual choral tribute concert and humanitarian awards program dedicated to the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Choral Arts has continued to build on its 2020 Statement on Racial Justice, including through the East Coast premiere of Damien Geter’s An African American Requiem. All this and more are indicative of Choral Arts’ commitment to unite people and community through voice and positive presence.

Choral Arts is currently governed by a 13-member volunteer board of directors under the leadership of Board Chair Matt Garber, has five full-time professional employees, and two part- time artistic support staff. For the fiscal year ending August 31, 2023, Choral Arts operated an annual budget of $2.1 million, with program revenue of $1.5 million including $630k in contributed revenue. Choral Arts maintains financial stability with $5.5 million in net assets including an endowment more than twice the size of the annual budget, which is among the top five largest budgets for American choruses.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Board of Directors and co-leading the organization with the Artistic Director, the Executive Director is the chief administrative and operations leader of Choral Arts. This individual will determine, oversee, and execute the strategic and operational efficiencies of administrative programs and staff. The Executive Director serves as a strategic partner with the Artistic Director to energize donors to invest in Choral Arts, and engage new and existing audiences, organizational partnerships, and board members. The Executive Director will work closely with the Artistic Director and the broader community to strengthen and grow the organization’s impact and sustainability. This individual will passionately articulate both the benefits and needs of the organization, engaging directly in robust conversations with constituents and stakeholders.

About the Role

Responsibility areas include:

Management and Administration:

• As the chief administrative and operations leader for Choral Arts, provide executive level direction for the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic goals, advancing Choral Arts’ artistic vision, mission, and values.
• Ensure marketing and public relations strategies effectively promote the artistic vision, value proposition, and mission of Choral Arts – reaching new and diverse audiences and driving development, reach, and audience growth goals.
• Build strategic momentum for Choral Arts, in collaboration with the Artistic Director and Board Chair as it engages in internal capacity building, strategic planning, and organizational alignment.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations, leading and managing the administrative team (development, operations, communications, patron support) including workload management, performance evaluation, and process improvement.
• Collaborate effectively with the Artistic Director to balance the organization’s artistic vision with practical operational and financial considerations.

Fundraising and Financial Management:

• Lead the fundraising strategy, planning, and execution, including foundation, government, individual, and Board giving. Directs the work of the development team and supports the Board in execution of their outreach and fundraising goals.
• Ensure effective donor stewardship practices are in place to maintain and grow donor relationships.
• Lead the development of the organization’s annual operating budget, in collaboration with staff, the finance committee and board leadership, and presents to the Board of Directors for approval in June of each year.
• Ensure the effective implementation of the approved operating budget including the reporting of expenditures in accordance with accepted accounting standards.
• Drive the recruitment of special event leadership, committee members, and other volunteers in close collaboration with the Board and its committees.
• Ensure the system of financial accounting and controls are executed in accordance with standards of accounting for nonprofits/state agencies.

Board and Community Relations:

• Serve as the chief administrative liaison to the Board of Directors, working closely with the Board Chair and committees to support governance, Board development, and decision-making processes.
• Regularly report to the Board and its committees on Choral Arts’ financial status including budget reporting, receipt of financial statements, and oversight of the annual audit and form 990.
• Regularly report to the Board and its committees on Choral Arts’ organizational health including progress towards strategic goals, effectiveness of administrative activities (such as marketing and communications), and assessment of current risks and related mitigation activities.
• Represent Choral Arts in the community and build relationships with local businesses, venue managers, arts organizations, and other relevant institutions.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization, effectively communicating its mission, values, and goals to external audiences.
• Serve as an ex officio member of the Board and its committees and attends all meetings.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and a proven track record of at least 5 years of executive level non-profit management.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, including the ability to collaborate effectively with volunteers, major contributors and grantors, corporations, the diplomatic community, and donors of all levels.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience overseeing budgets and managing resources effectively.
• Proven ability to collaborate with an artistic team to ensure alignment between artistic vision and organizational priorities and resources.
• Exemplary organizational skills, including the ability to set priorities and manage limited resources to simultaneously carry out short- and long-range goals.
• Self-starter, attentive to details, ability to meet deadlines and flexible.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a talent for building relationships and engaging diverse communities.
• Strong computer skills; experience with Microsoft Office and other CRM and communications platforms.
• Ability to participate in events and meetings outside of standard work week.

Preferred Experience:

• Familiarity with the local DC arts community and established relationships with potential partners, funders, and patrons. Experience or strong affinity with the performing arts, and music in particular, preferred.
• Knowledge and experience in marketing and communications strategies, including using these strategies to grow an audience base and reach new/diverse communities.
• Advanced degree with significant years of experience in non-profit management.
• Experience working with the diplomatic community and international touring organizations a strong plus.

Our Benefits, Flexible Work, and Leave Plans

Choral Arts offers a benefits package that includes health insurance with prescription drug, dental, and vision plans  as well as voluntary retirement plan with employer match; vacation, sick, and personal leave; and short-term and long-term disability and life insurance.

Choral Arts has a flexible work environment and this role is hybrid eligible.

The Choral Arts Society of Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.