Executive Director

Music for Minors (MFM) seeks a mission-driven Executive Director (ED) to lead with operational rigor, financial discipline, and a deep commitment to transparency and ethical leadership. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the ED will oversee all aspects of MFM’s $2M operations—advancing programs, supervising staff, ensuring fiscal health, and growing revenue—while embodying the values of accountability, collaboration, and equity. The ED is both a strategic thinker and hands-on manager who thrives on making systems more effective and teams more empowered.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational & Financial Leadership

• Provide values-based, transparent leadership to support MFM’s mission and culture.
• Oversee day-to-day operations and long-term planning to ensure organizational excellence and sustainability.
• Lead financial strategy and operations: build and manage budgets, ensure regulatory compliance, and oversee fiscal reporting.
• Execute the annual solicitation, renewal, and negotiation of school partner agreements.
• Establish and monitor internal systems that foster efficiency, accountability, and performance.

Staff & Board Management

• Supervise, develop and mentor staff, fostering a respectful, high-performing team culture aligned with the organization's mission.
• Facilitate clear and effective communication across a diverse, primarily remote team.
• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees to shape strategy, ensure strong governance, and provide clear updates on program progress, risks, and resource needs.
• Support Board decision-making by delivering key data, insights, and recommendations to align goals with the organization’s mission and vision.

Fundraising & External Relations

• Drive fundraising in collaboration with the Director of Development and the Board, building support from individuals, foundations, and partners.
• Serve as chief spokesperson; represent MFM’s values and vision to external audiences with clarity and purpose.

Program Oversight

• Support program leadership by providing strategic input, logistical coordination, and insight to ensure music programs are delivered effectively and equitably, in alignment with MFM’s mission.
• Ensure program excellence, equity, and responsiveness by upholding high standards in curriculum, teaching, and student engagement, while adapting programs to reflect the diverse needs and interests of students.
• Use data and community feedback—including student progress metrics, and input from educators and partners—to evaluate program effectiveness and continuously refine offerings.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications

Required

• Leadership & Management: 5-7 years in senior roles within the arts, education, or nonprofit sectors, with a proven track record of leading teams, evaluating and scaling programs, and driving sustainable organizational growth.
• Operational & Financial Management: Proven success in hands-on operational management, nonprofit budgeting, cash flow management, and rigorous financial oversight.
• Fundraising: Experience securing funding through grants, donations, and partnerships.
• Equity & Inclusion: Commitment to inclusive, accessible music education programs.
• Collaborative Leadership: Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work across teams and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Community Engagement: Proven ability to build partnerships with educators, donors, and local organizations.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a field related to the responsibilities of the role—such as music education, arts administration, nonprofit management, business, or a related area—or equivalent professional experience.
• Bay Area resident

Preferred

• Advanced Degree: Masters degree in a field related to the responsibilities of the role—such as music education, arts administration, nonprofit management, business, or a related area—or equivalent professional experience.
• Passion for the Arts: Strong commitment to the impact of music education.
• Data-Driven Leadership: Skilled in using data and feedback to assess and improve program effectiveness.