Executive Director

The Role 

We are seeking an Executive Director to lead the New School of Music into its next chapter of growth and impact. We welcome applicants of all levels of leadership experience, from those who are brand new to senior executives. What matters most is that you share our commitment to music education and community engagement, and that you have the skills and vision to lead the New School of Music into the future.

As the leader of a small but vibrant organization, you will report directly to the Board of Directors and manage a team of 1.5 staff members and approximately 20 teaching artists. You will have the opportunity to shape the strategic direction of NSM and work closely with a dedicated team of teaching artists, staff, and board members to fulfill our mission of fostering a love and understanding of music in our community. Whether you are an emerging leader looking to take your first step into executive leadership, or a seasoned executive seeking a new challenge, we encourage you to apply and bring your unique perspective and experience to our team.

About The New School of Music:  

The New School of Music was founded in 1976 by composer, conductor, and musician Nicholas Van Slyck who identified a need in the area for access to high-quality music education and engagement. Driven by the belief that an organization dedicated to fostering a love and understanding of music through our community could address this need by providing access to music lessons, building community, fostering creativity, and providing performance opportunities for its students of all ages, Mr. Van Slyck brought his vision to life. Since its founding, NSM has stayed true to its original mission, today with an annual operating budget of just over $500,000, a team of over 20 teaching artists, and has made a significant community impact through serving students of all ages in and around Cambridge. Learn more at www.newschoolofmusic.org 

What You’ll Be Doing

Summary of Responsibilities: 

Leadership:

• Using the power of storytelling, ignite and kindle the passion for our mission with all organization stakeholders - staff, board, volunteers, donors - propelling them to invite people to join in our work. 
• Build a real sense of belonging for those who have found their way to our organization, ensuring that our ecosystem is diverse, equitable and inclusive 

Board Partnership:

• Build, cultivate and nurture a true partnership with the Board of Directors built on mutual respect and trust 
• Provide the Board of Directors with the resources and information necessary to be fulfill their duties and to be organizational ambassadors 
• Actively engage with the Board to help identify prospective board members who bring the skills, attributes and lived experience necessary for the board to be the best partner it can be

Vision & Strategy:

• In partnership with the board and staff, align the organization around a compelling vision for the future, one that we can rally stakeholders and donors around as we secure resources, human and financial to support our work.
• Ensure that mission and core values are developed to provide the organization with a compass to guide us toward our vision 
• Develop goals, strategies and tactics in the form of annual plans as a key roadmap that introduces an accountability component to the strategy we develop 

Operations Management:

People/HR:

• Build, lead, and retain an effective and diverse staff team dedicated to the mission and with the requisite skills to be successful in their work 
• Establish effective decision-making at all levels to ensure that voices are heard and that short and long-term goals are met 

Finance

• Take a holistic approach to financial responsibility by developing and implementing effective financial management strategies, monitoring financial performance, and identifying opportunities to increase revenue, reduce costs, and improve financial sustainability while ensuring that all financial decisions align with our organization's values and mission.

Facilities

• Maintain and improve the appearance, safety, and functionality of our facility through effective management of maintenance and repair activities
• Effectively manage our inventory of musical instruments, office equipment, and supplies to ensure we have the necessary resources to maintain our facilities and support our staff in delivering high-quality performances and services

Programming

• Oversee a programmatic portfolio that is designed with a deep understanding of the communities we serve and that aligns with our mission and our long range plans 
• Ensure effective systems for program evaluation and regularly evaluate the program portfolio, ever mindful of the need to adapt to the needs of our communities 
• Bring a spirit of innovation to the program work with an eye toward piloting new ideas that could be incorporated into or will maximize existing work

Fundraising:

• Serve as the fundraiser in chief of the organization, setting fundraising strategy and responsible for working with staff, board and volunteers to identify prospects and close gifts. 
• With an understanding that fundraising is relational, develop strategies that ensure that donors are nurtured from their first gift 

In more detail, the day-to-day tasks:

• Oversee and manage all human resources functions, including but not limited to, payroll, policy development and implementation, benefits administration, employee relations, recruitment and retention, performance management, and training and development, to ensure compliance with legal requirements, best practices, and our organization's values and mission
• Serve as the chief financial officer of the organization, responsible for creating and managing the annual budget, coordinating the annual audit, preparing and presenting financial reports to the board of directors
• Maintain effective communication channels with parents and families to address their questions and concerns and promote a positive and engaging learning environment for their child's musical education
• Conduct regular check-ins with admin and teaching staff members to monitor progress on ongoing projects, provide feedback, and address any issues or concerns that may arise
• Work with staff to plan and execute events, including strategic tasks like developing timelines, and identifying event goals and objectives, to the tactical of being hands-on for event setup and breakdown

Who You Are

Our ideal candidate will embody the values of the New School of Music and bring leadership and strategic insights to the work through the following skills and characteristics:

• Deep belief in and passion for our organization’s purpose 
• Exudes humble confidence 
• Compelling communicator and storyteller 
• Keen understanding of the ability to listen, meet people where they are and engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders 
• Leads and manages with intention 
• Culturally responsive and emotionally intelligent 
• Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion 
• Demonstrates compassion and empathy, especially in times of crisis 
• Digitally savvy with enthusiasm about its possibilities 
• Leads and manages with a growth mindset, open to learning and adapting

The Skills and Experience You Bring:

Research shows that people of different backgrounds read job postings differently. If you don’t think you meet all of the qualifications but do think you’d be a great match for us, please consider applying and sharing more in your cover letter. We’d love to talk with you to see what skills you can bring to our team. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications listed below:

• Demonstrated experience in either for-profit and non-profit settings, with a track record of progressively increasing responsibility
• Proven ability to manage people and lead teams effectively
• Experience working collaboratively with Board of Directors, providing regular updates and reports, and engaging them in fundraising and organizational strategy
• Strong ability to develop and execute successful fundraising strategies
• Solid understanding of financial management, including budget development and reporting
• Familiarity with labor laws and regulations, with experience in ensuring compliance and addressing related issues
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to support special events and programming as needed