Executive Director

About Leap Arts in Education

Leap provides high-quality arts education programs that help students build skills to achieve their fullest potential. We envision a world where the arts are a fundamental part of every child’s education and success.

Founded in 1979, Leap currently serves over 10,000 students across 33 Bay Area schools, with 40% of these students attending low-income schools. Our 10-15 week residencies place teaching artists, musicians, dancers and architects in local schools. In addition to building artistic skills, the residencies strengthen students' collaboration, communication, and critical thinking while building their confidence. In 2020, Leap built on its success and learnings by launching the collaboratively-run Racial Justice Training Institute (RJTI) - an intensive, eight-hour, artist-led training for teaching artists that strengthens Leap’s curriculum, workforce development, and program evaluations.

“Leap made me feel like I could do anything. I used to be shy and unsure, but now I know my ideas matter, and I love sharing them. Art class is the best part of my week!”- Leap 5th grader

About the Opportunity

Leap has spent more than 40 years serving the Bay Area community by adapting to shifting landscapes while remaining mission-driven and equity-focused. Looking ahead, we are expanding strategic partnerships and deepening community engagement to ensure long-term sustainability. The next executive director will bring a strategic vision, and lead the organization into this exciting new chapter - championing the role of the arts in education and advancing our mission through strategic fundraising, community partnerships, and continued program excellence.

With a 2025-2026 budget of $1M, Leap is ready to build on our successes, reach new supporters, and explore new revenue-generating opportunities to increase our support of STEAM learning through the Bay Area. Our popular and successful Fall fundraiser, the Sandcastle Classic, raises nearly 1/3 of our income with support from sponsors, individual donors, and participants. Through our exceptional long-term partnerships with schools, we raise another third of the budget in program service fees. We have also been fortunate to also have the support of local foundations, including two new grants this year, and individual donors who complete our support for Leap’s important work.

Position Summary

Leap seeks a strategic, creative, compassionate and entrepreneurial executive director to provide the vision and strategic oversight that will lead the organization and its small and talented team, to ensure Leap’s mission continues to thrive. The executive director reports to the board of directors and directly supervises two full-time staff – the program director and operations manager; a contract grant writer; a development specialist; and an outsourced finance team. In addition, the program director and program manager oversee school partnerships and supervise an average of 25 teaching artists each year. The ideal candidate will be a proven fundraiser, collaborative leader, and advocate. They will also be deeply committed to equity and inclusion and continue our RTJI work that embeds these values across organizational practices, partnerships, and programming.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Resource Development (40%)

• Lead the organization’s fundraising strategy and execution, with a focus on growing individual giving and major donor cultivation, in partnership with the development specialist
• Oversee foundation and government grant strategy, in partnership with the grant specialist
• Expand corporate partnerships and sponsorships
• Identify and implement new earned-revenue opportunities

Organizational Leadership and Management (25%)

• Oversee the critical business functions for the organization, including finance, HR, and legal compliance
• Ensure strong fiscal management and reporting in collaboration with the Board
• Ensure the continued excellence of Leap’s artists residencies
• Evaluate and evolve program strategy
• Promote a positive, inclusive, supportive workplace culture for staff and contractors
• Integrate and participate in the RTJI principles throughout the organization’s culture

Community Building (20%)

• Represent Leap and its mission in the community
• Oversee marketing, communications, and outreach
• Strengthen partnerships with schools, community organizations, and peer nonprofits

Board Partnership and Governance (15%)

• Partner with the Board of Directors on strategic planning, financial oversight, fundraising, and governance
• Support board recruitment and engagement with attention to board diversity and inclusive leadership practices

Key Experiences

Required

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive senior nonprofit leadership experience, including
  • Direct supervision of senior staff
  • Budget oversight and organizational decision-making
  • Operational leadership, HR, and compliance management
• Proven success with individual and institutional fundraising
• Demonstrated team-building and leadership experience
• Experience building and maintaining community partnerships
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Strong communication skills, including public speaking, writing, and storytelling
• Passion for empowering students to reach their fullest potential through an integrated learning experience that includes art

Preferred

• Experience in the arts and/or arts education organizations
• Knowledge of the Bay Area school and arts ecosystems
• Experience working with a hybrid/remote workforce, who require flexible schedules

Qualities We Value

• Strategic thinker who can keep their eye on the big picture
• Supportive and passionate leader
• Sophisticated and scrappy enough to solve hard problems with creativity and persistence
• Collaborative people skills including empathetic listening, honesty and transparency, clear communication and flexibility
• Entrepreneurial spirit with a steady hand
• Deep commitment to equity and social justice

The Details

Leap offers a competitive salary, from $120,000 to $135,000, depending on experience. The benefits package includes health insurance, paid vacation, and professional development support. This position is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and follows a hybrid work model, combining remote work with in-person collaboration.

The Instructions

Submit a resume and cover letter in a single pdf document to EdJob@leaparts.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a goal of selecting our executive director no later than December 15, 2025. No phone calls, please.

We Welcome You

Leap is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve and welcome candidates who bring a range of perspectives and lived experiences. Even if your experience doesn’t perfectly match every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be exactly who we’re looking for.

The benefits package includes health insurance, paid vacation, and professional development support. This position is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and follows a hybrid work model, combining remote work with in-person collaboration.