Executive Director Position Profile

The Executive Director (Director) serves as chief executive of KCYA. In collaboration with the Board, the Director provides vision, inspired leadership, strategy, innovation, and execution to unite and engage our diverse stakeholders and strategic partners and to lead KCYA to a new level of success and prominence within the Kansas City arts and educational ecosystem.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will guide and support the ongoing successes of KCYA’s mission, vision, values and philosophies, community partnerships, and accountability to those we serve by managing the programmatic, financial and strategic success of the organization.

The Director will implement goals, budgets, and policies created with and approved by the Board of Directors while managing the organization’s programs and operations and serves as an ambassador of KCYA to the Kansas City community.

Executive Leadership and Organizational Management

• Ensuring the organization’s day-to-day and long-term operations are mission-aligned and professionally and ethically administered including fund development/grant management, financial/compliance, facilities management, human resources, and compliance/risk management.

• Leading the strategic planning process, establishing goals for the organization and engaging relevant stakeholders such as Board, staff, and other leaders.

• Responsible for overall policy setting, guidelines, and legal and financial compliance.

• Establishes strong and productive relationships with the Board, committees, staff, teaching artists, donors, clients, community members, outside agencies, organizations.

• Building an inclusive culture for all employees and motivating staff through oversight of hiring, professional development, performance management focused on: innovation, leadership, change, speed, flexibility and results. Ethics, integrity, inclusion and mutual respect are foundational.

• Assures a work environment that recruits, retains, and supports quality board, staff, and teaching artists.

• Assures quality, organizational stability through development and implementation of standards and controls, systems and procedures and regular evaluation.

Board Relations

• Attending all Board meetings and providing transparent updates on current initiatives, ongoing projects, and progress towards key organizational goals and success metrics including developments in the arts/education community, human services, not-for-profit management, capacity building, philanthropy, governance and fund development.

• Building relationships and maintaining strong channels of communication with all Board members.

• Implementing inclusive Board policies/procedures and building buy-in for Board decisions among staff.

• Engaging with the Board on governance matters and serving on relevant committees.

• Informs the Board and its committees about trends, challenges, and activities and makes recommendations and decisions to facilitate positive change.

• Support ongoing board development efforts, including recruitment, onboarding, and engagement, while proactively identifying opportunities for board members to contribute meaningfully to the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.

Finance and Fundraising

• Preparing, administering, and managing the organization’s budget and forecasting future finances to ensure long-term viability.

• In partnership with the Director of Development, identifying, cultivating, and soliciting fundraising with current and new and diverse revenue sources; including grants, community partnerships, philanthropy, and private donors, as well as planning and executing fundraising events.

• Ensuring organizational financial sustainability by developing a robust fundraising and development strategy. Participates actively in identifying, cultivating, maintaining, and soliciting donor prospects. Identifies and develops other funding sources to support the organization financially.

• Ensuring maximum resource utilization within budget guidelines for optimal organizational financial position.

• Hires, supervises and works with KCYA Directors to ensure Expense Management, Fund Development Activities, and Financial Results are appropriate and attained.

• Has responsibility for the financial management and success of the organization through proper management of financial reporting, time collection of accounts receivable, effective oversight of all development activities, and continuous growth of diverse funding sources to ensure long-term viability of the organization.

• Helps guide and enable the Board, its fund development committee and individual Board members to participate actively in the fund development process.

Programming, External Relations, and Communications

• Serving as the external face and voice of KCYA to community partners, media outlets, and funders at conferences, events, and public gatherings.

• Building meaningful and engaging relationships with other community arts organizations, school system leadership and representatives of the non-profit sector and mission-aligned service organizations. 

• Ensuring high visibility to funders, partners, and the public to build interest in engaged philanthropy.

• Listens to and solicits feedback from employees, parents, teaching artists, advisory board members, community leaders, donors and the arts community in order to improve and enhance services offered.

• Reviewing programmatic goals and setting growth and expansion targets.

• Developing systems for evaluation of impact and meaningful iteration.

• Overseeing the planning and distribution of key stakeholder communications.

• Identifying media, business, and community partnerships that strengthen the organization’s brand and impact.

• Participates in community activities and on committees that align with KCYA’s mission and purpose or the non-profit sector.

• Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in a leadership or managerial role supporting multiple direct reports.

• Strong knowledge of the non-profit sector; experience in/or is passionate about education and/or the arts.

• Demonstrated ability to secure and grow financial resources through innovative fundraising approaches, leading comprehensive resource development efforts and building diverse, sustainable revenue streams – examples will be sought.

• Proven project and program management skills.

• Strong budget management skills and grant experience.

• Familiarity with nonprofit landscape and operational context.

• Experience managing volunteers and volunteer committees.

• Significant experience with strategic planning, consensus-building, and facilitation.

• Bachelor’s degree required.

The future Director will demonstrate critical competencies in five broad categories: commitment to results, business savvy, leading change, commitment to equity and inclusion, and inspiration and motivation.

• Commitment to Results: Systems thinker who is customer focused and goal driven. This individual identifies relevant information and helps transform this information into individual and organizational knowledge and learning. The Director is action-oriented and innovative. They can translate vision and broad goals into achievable steps and action plans.

• Business Savvy: Demonstrated experience in integrating and coordinating diverse areas of management. Knowledge in the following areas is suggested: financial and expense management; human resources and human relations, fund and grant management, program management and day-to-day non-profit operations. Some experience in the field of philanthropy, governance, and community relations is preferred.

• Leading Change: Possesses the skills and implements the functions of a leader. They share KCYA’s values, mission, vision, and philosophies. They consistently display integrity, model desired behaviors, develop people, and build effective teams. This individual deals effectively with complex situations and helps to design and implement interventions.

• Commitment to DEIAB: Commitment to equity and inclusion through the intentional and continuous development of awareness and skills to provide a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for staff, teaching artists, students, and other key stakeholders. They embrace this process by engaging with and responding with staff and community through reflection, advocacy, and support.

• Inspiration and Motivation: Manages continuity, change and transition while activating the staff and community for ultimate impact.

‍The projected compensation range for this opportunity will include a base salary between $100,000 and $130,000 in accordance with the background and experience of the selected candidate. Compensation is supplemented by a benefits package that includes discounts for dependents on summer camps and classes, PTO, paid holidays, employer paid healthcare and 401(k) plan (when eligible) etc.

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‍CBIZ Talent Solutions is partnering with Kansas City Young Audiences on this important and exciting search. All calls and inquiries regarding this search should be made directly to the search firm. Nominations and applications will be held in confidence. Consideration will be given to materials received by the submission deadline of May 29th. Interested candidates should email a current résumé or CV to:

Jessica Galbraith – Staff Consultant, Senior Recruiter
CBIZ Talent Solutions
jgalbraith@cbiz.com

CBIZ is an Equal Opportunity Employer

CBIZ does not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, national origin, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification under the law.