Executive Director

Puget Soundworks is an all-gender, LGBTQIA+ centered chorus serving the greater Puget Sound region. We are a small nonprofit, entering our eighth year of operations, dedicated to making the world a kinder, more inclusive place, one song at a time. We currently produce two mainstage concerts per year in Seattle and are fiscally stable.

Our next Executive Director (ED) will be a builder, who designs and stands up infrastructure and grows culture for fundraising and volunteerism in order to sustainably grow our organization, including both paid staff budget and artistic program activities. Our next ED will craft a vision for how Puget Soundworks can contribute to resistance and resilience of marginalized communities in our region and will bring us into an era of partnerships with other community organizations and change agents. This is a great opportunity for an experienced NPO or business leader to have a transformative impact on an organization that spreads queer and trans joy and supports the wellbeing of marginalized people through artistic expression and community.

The ED is the chief executive of Puget Soundworks, building and executing operating strategies and plans for the organization. The ED will embrace Puget Soundworks’ mission, values, and truths, and will keep these tenets central to their personal behavior and organizational operations.

The Executive Director’s scope of responsibility includes fundraising planning and execution, marketing and communications, staff and volunteer management, audience development, external and community relations, DEI, and the overall operational, financial, and administrative management of the organization. The ED will work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure strong fiscal health and effective governance. In partnership with the Artistic Director and the Board, the ED will guide the growth, public image, and increased social impact of Puget Soundworks.

Details:

Reports to: Board of Directors

Supervises: Artistic Director, Technical Director, All Staff and Volunteers

Work location: Most work will be done remotely; candidates must be able to attend events in person in the Seattle area

Employment status: This is a full-time, salaried position, averaging 40 hours per week; some work can be done on a flexible schedule; will include some evenings / weekends; regular attendance at singer rehearsals on Wednesday evenings is expected

Duties and responsibilities:

Development and fundraising

Guide the creation of a comprehensive development program to maximize contributed income; build our fundraising culture, and assume a leading and active role in fundraising in consultation and cooperation with the Board and Development Committee.

• Take a direct leadership role in the organization’s development programs, including fundraising events, corporate sponsorships, major donors, and all campaigns
• Identify appropriate funding opportunities from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies
• Maintain the donor database and all necessary reporting to support data-driven insights on donor retention and stewardship
• Manage grant writing and reporting
• Partner with the Board, Development Committee, staff, and community volunteers in all development activities to cultivate and maintain strong donor relationships

Financial management

Develop, monitor, and maintain fiscal responsibility for the organization’s overall budget, and ensure the most effective use of financial resources in partnership with the Finance Committee.

• Develop the organization’s annual budget and long-range financial forecast
• Oversee management of cash flow and provide oversight for all accounting activities, including accounts payable / receivable, payroll, and bookkeeping
• Ensure financial controls are in place to maintain oversight and ethical use of funds, including regular reporting to the Board of Directors
• Define and implement program revenue models, including revenue targets and pricing strategies, for all events
• Provide oversight for all business and charity licensing, and other IRS or government-mandated financial reporting, in partnership with the Finance Committee

Marketing and communications

Oversee all marketing and public relations activities for the organization.

• Develop marketing strategies (web, email, social, other channels) to increase brand awareness and grow the Puget Soundworks community of singers, volunteers, and patrons
• Maintain a strong year-round digital presence, including a monthly newsletter, the Puget Soundworks website and social media channels
• Act as a spokesperson for the organization, with both internal and external stakeholders, including the singing community, patrons, donors, and public entities such as businesses, foundations, government agencies, and media
• Design and manage the box office and related marketing campaigns for all artistic programs and events to meet budgeted sales targets
• Stay abreast of developments in local, regional, and national performing arts and LGBTQIA+ communities to support marketing strategies

Management and operations

Direct and manage all aspects of the organization’s operations and strategy.

• Design and monitor a long-term strategic and short-term operating plan in coordination with the Board and staff, in alignment with equity and inclusion goals
• Work with the community to develop appropriate strategic partnerships and foster community engagement
• Design and monitor a robust volunteer program that supports and executes production, operational, marketing, and development tasks
• Directly supervise and support the Artistic Director and Technical Director
• Provide human resources support, including hiring, salary planning, staff development, conflict resolution, and health and safety protocols
• Ensure that all operational needs – including artistic planning, concert production, rehearsal management, infrastructure, accessibility, policies, and special projects – are met
• Negotiate and manage all contracts with venues and contractors
• Set and maintain policies for the selection and use of all technology tools (email, shared files, security, and so on), and ensure implementation
• Foster a culture of transparency and accountability by regularly gathering and responding to community feedback

DEI and social justice

Lead the organization with a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice. Your leadership will ensure that these values are embedded in the organization’s strategy, culture, partnerships, and day-to-day operations.

• Integrate DEI principles into all organizational policies, practices, and programs, ensuring equitable access, representation, and outcomes for historically marginalized communities
• Foster a workplace culture rooted in respect, transparency, and belonging by implementing inclusive leadership practices and providing staff with ongoing DEI learning and development opportunities
• Represent the organization in community, philanthropic, and policy spaces as a vocal advocate for social justice, leveraging partnerships and platforms to advance systemic change

Governance

Provide support to best utilize the talents and resources of the Board, stimulate involvement, and work closely with the Board to ensure strong leadership infrastructure to maintain long-term organization success.

• Initiate and maintain effective communications with the Board President, Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers
• Provide concise, relevant, and timely information to the Board so that it can fulfill its policy and decision-making responsibilities
• Coordinate with the Board President on monthly Board meeting plans and present regular updates at these meetings

Preferred experience, attributes, abilities:

• Belief in Puget Soundworks’ mission, values, and truths
• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent on the job experience
• Minimum of three years of related management experience – previous nonprofit experience strongly preferred
• Performing arts experience at any level a plus
• Empathetic, inclusive leadership style that invites collaboration
• Track record of success in fund development, marketing, financial management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Comfort with technology tools (email, online documents, chat, donor / singer databases)
• Bias toward action, feedback, and personal growth

Equity Statement

Puget Soundworks is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community aligned with our mission to make the world a kinder, more inclusive place, one song at a time. We center LGBTQIA+ identities, work to dismantle traditional gender norms in choral music, and use our platform to uplift voices that are often underrepresented, including transgender, non-binary, and genderqueer individuals, women, and people of color.

We are committed to creating an environment grounded in kindness, transparency, and respect, where all individuals feel welcome and empowered to contribute fully. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who share our values and bring a broad range of perspectives, identities, and experiences to our work.

We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status and neurodivergence), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group where we work.