Executive Director Position Description
Title: Executive Director
Organization: Cantus, Minneapolis (www.cantussings.org)
Mission: Cantus engages audiences in a meaningful music experience and ensures the future of ensemble singing by mentoring young singers and educators. Cantus was founded on the ideals of collaborative music-making: artists and staff work together to reach new levels of artistic excellence, innovation, and audience engagement.
Vision: Cantus gives voice to shared human experiences.
Recognized for their artistic excellence and musical versatility, the eight singers of Cantus rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, working without a conductor or music director, allowing audiences to experience a direct connection to the ensemble. Committed to an a cappella presentation of significant music, Cantus is renowned for adventurous programming spanning many periods and genres, including newly commissioned work. The ensemble enjoys a vigorous performance schedule with national and international touring, several local concert series, and many annual events. The season also includes education outreach programs and recording. Hailed as “the premier men’s vocal ensemble in the United States” (Fanfare), Cantus has received Chorus America’s prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, the Education Outreach Award, and most recently, the 2016 Dale Warland Singers Commission Award. To read more, visit www.cantussings.org.
Cantus has an annual operating budget of $1.2 million. Cantus has eight full-time singers, four full-time administrative staff -- Executive Director, Development Director, Operations Manager, and Development Assistant, and many regular contractors. Cantus has an experienced and engaged board of directors of 18-20 members representing a cross-section of the community.
The Cantus office is in downtown Minneapolis. Cantus staff members enjoy a flexible and healthy working environment, free parking, and the camaraderie of dedicated and creative colleagues.
Position Purpose: The Executive Director reports to Cantus’ board chair and serves as the organizational leader. She/he is responsible for strategic planning, and management oversight to effectively carry out Cantus’ mission. The Executive Director represents Cantus’ interests to its diverse constituencies including the media, the music community, educators, and the cultural and philanthropic communities in Minnesota and nationally.
The Executive Director oversees administration of Cantus’ programs and activities, manages the staff, and ensures Cantus has the appropriate organizational structures to accomplish the annual goals. The Executive Director is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the 18-20 member board and of the Executive Committee, and is responsible for ensuring outstanding governance practices and sound board management and recruiting.
Position Vision: The Executive Director is a passionate advocate of vocal chamber music, and is able to articulate a compelling strategic vision and galvanize stakeholders to turn that vision into a reality. Although the artists, as employees of Cantus, report to the Executive Director, the relationship is one of collaboration. The Executive Director and staff work in partnership with the artists -- each person with their own distinct and shared responsibilities. The artists are responsible for conceiving, developing, and implementing the artistic vision and programming of Cantus and will collaborate with the Executive Director and other staff members to create a cohesive long-term artistic strategy.
The Executive Director must be able to make critical decisions, innovate, and meet challenges. This individual must be a creative leader with excellent board, staff, and project management skills and be an effective communicator sharing Cantus’ mission, values, and strategic plans to the public and media in a variety of settings. The Executive Director will cultivate working relationships with media, grantors, foundations, corporations, and individuals to expand outreach to and promotion of the choral arts locally and nationally. The Executive Director is ultimately responsible for the financial stability, smooth operation, and programmatic success of the organization.
Key Result Areas
The list below is representative of the essential duties for the job, but it is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of duties required to perform this role. As a member of the Cantus staff, other duties may be assigned to fulfill Cantus’ mission, vision, and strategic plan objectives.
Board Relations:
Strategic Planning:
Community Advocacy and Public Relations:
Contract Negotiations and Touring:
Fundraising:
Job Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Compensation: $78,000 - $85,000 plus a full package of benefits.
To Apply: Please prepare your cover letter and resumé as an MS Word or PDF document.
APPLICATION PORTAL BEING DEVELOPED
Job Search Timeline
Job posted: September 1 - October 15.
Interviews: October 20 - November 20
Start date: January 4, 2017 or by mutual agreement.
Cantus is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified applicants regardless of gender identification, race, or religion.
Organization: Cantus, Minneapolis (www.cantussings.org)
Mission: Cantus engages audiences in a meaningful music experience and ensures the future of ensemble singing by mentoring young singers and educators. Cantus was founded on the ideals of collaborative music-making: artists and staff work together to reach new levels of artistic excellence, innovation, and audience engagement.
Vision: Cantus gives voice to shared human experiences.
Recognized for their artistic excellence and musical versatility, the eight singers of Cantus rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, working without a conductor or music director, allowing audiences to experience a direct connection to the ensemble. Committed to an a cappella presentation of significant music, Cantus is renowned for adventurous programming spanning many periods and genres, including newly commissioned work. The ensemble enjoys a vigorous performance schedule with national and international touring, several local concert series, and many annual events. The season also includes education outreach programs and recording. Hailed as “the premier men’s vocal ensemble in the United States” (Fanfare), Cantus has received Chorus America’s prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, the Education Outreach Award, and most recently, the 2016 Dale Warland Singers Commission Award. To read more, visit www.cantussings.org.
Cantus has an annual operating budget of $1.2 million. Cantus has eight full-time singers, four full-time administrative staff -- Executive Director, Development Director, Operations Manager, and Development Assistant, and many regular contractors. Cantus has an experienced and engaged board of directors of 18-20 members representing a cross-section of the community.
The Cantus office is in downtown Minneapolis. Cantus staff members enjoy a flexible and healthy working environment, free parking, and the camaraderie of dedicated and creative colleagues.
Position Purpose: The Executive Director reports to Cantus’ board chair and serves as the organizational leader. She/he is responsible for strategic planning, and management oversight to effectively carry out Cantus’ mission. The Executive Director represents Cantus’ interests to its diverse constituencies including the media, the music community, educators, and the cultural and philanthropic communities in Minnesota and nationally.
The Executive Director oversees administration of Cantus’ programs and activities, manages the staff, and ensures Cantus has the appropriate organizational structures to accomplish the annual goals. The Executive Director is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the 18-20 member board and of the Executive Committee, and is responsible for ensuring outstanding governance practices and sound board management and recruiting.
Position Vision: The Executive Director is a passionate advocate of vocal chamber music, and is able to articulate a compelling strategic vision and galvanize stakeholders to turn that vision into a reality. Although the artists, as employees of Cantus, report to the Executive Director, the relationship is one of collaboration. The Executive Director and staff work in partnership with the artists -- each person with their own distinct and shared responsibilities. The artists are responsible for conceiving, developing, and implementing the artistic vision and programming of Cantus and will collaborate with the Executive Director and other staff members to create a cohesive long-term artistic strategy.
The Executive Director must be able to make critical decisions, innovate, and meet challenges. This individual must be a creative leader with excellent board, staff, and project management skills and be an effective communicator sharing Cantus’ mission, values, and strategic plans to the public and media in a variety of settings. The Executive Director will cultivate working relationships with media, grantors, foundations, corporations, and individuals to expand outreach to and promotion of the choral arts locally and nationally. The Executive Director is ultimately responsible for the financial stability, smooth operation, and programmatic success of the organization.
Key Result Areas
The list below is representative of the essential duties for the job, but it is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of duties required to perform this role. As a member of the Cantus staff, other duties may be assigned to fulfill Cantus’ mission, vision, and strategic plan objectives.
Board Relations:
- Engage the board of directors in shaping the vision for Cantus’ future, actively soliciting their input on key priority issues in a timely, effective manner, and formulating recommendations for consideration by the board and/or its respective committees based on that input and other considerations.
- Communicate, inform, discuss, and guide the board in affairs of Cantus and in issues that require policy decisions, evaluations, and direction for new policies, procedures, or programs to improve the overall operations and programs.
- Work with the board to identify and recruit potential board members to expand the outreach of Cantus and to establish governance expertise in identified areas.
- Structure participatory board meetings and encourage active involvement of all board members to support Cantus’ mission and goals.
- Guide a talented management team to provide leadership for staff in a manner that promotes initiative, a healthy workplace, and creates individual growth opportunities.
- Collaborate with and oversee Cantus’ three-singer artistic council which represents the ensemble.
- Oversee human resources including annual reviews, monitoring benefits, and establishing payscales.
Strategic Planning:
- Create and communicate, with board, singers, and staff, a clear strategy for achieving the company’s mission and expanding its impact.
- Develop and implement long- and short-term strategies and goals to assure that Cantus fulfills its mission, is true to its core values, and uses its resources effectively.
- Monitor and evaluate the outcomes and impact of Cantus programs and initiatives to ensure quality, mission alignment, and good use of Cantus’ resources.
- Build on strategy for organization diversification and inclusivity.
Community Advocacy and Public Relations:
- Serve as an enthusiastic external spokesperson for the organization to constituents and stakeholders including: audience members, funders, students, and the music field.
- Facilitate effective relationships with all external stakeholders including visitors, community partners, the press, funders, and politicians.
- Build collaborative strategic alliances to further advance Cantus’ mission.
- Promote Cantus’ mission and leadership role in the field while also fostering a supportive collegial atmosphere among partner organizations.
- Develop appropriate annual and long-term financial objectives; lead Cantus in consistently achieving these objectives, including a balanced operating budget.
- Assure legal compliance.
- Manage the budget to strategically grow earned and contributed revenue for the organization and implement growth plans.
- Work with board to execute a plan to retire a recent operating deficit.
Contract Negotiations and Touring:
- Work with agent, singers, and staff, to negotiate and approve all performance contracts.
- Oversee and manage relationship with national booking agent and other performance partners in order to meet annual goals for touring and revenue.
Fundraising:
- Work with Development Director to set and reach fundraising goals per an annual fundraising plan with regular assessments.
- Personally nurture and sustain close, productive relationships and collaborations with key donors, colleagues, and supporters of Cantus who are in a position to advance the mission.
- Actively participate in fundraising for special campaigns and annual gifts, sponsorships, government grants, and other needs as they may arise.
Job Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience:
- Significant nonprofit leadership experience with a track record of success.
- A track record of being an inspiring and service-oriented leader who can set a long-term vision and can effect change; is capable of imparting credibility, trust, integrity, enthusiasm, and the ability to motivate others.
- Strategic planning and implementation experience.
- Fundraising experience with success in raising money from individuals.
- Experience with institutional funding sources including government grants, foundations, and sponsorships.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Solid relationship-building skills and success managing people, projects, and budgets.
- Knowledge of nonprofit governance policies.
- Ability to multitask, and work calmly under pressure.
- Diplomatic skills and the ability to make and communicate hard decisions.
- Sense of humor.
- Professional experience in the arts community, particularly the choral arts and vocal chamber music.
- A demonstrated passion for music and an understanding of its ability to effect change.
- Excellent communication skills, and the ability to delegate.
- Ability to work with diverse communities and varied personalities including an understanding of best practices for inclusivity.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to create a supportive community.
- Collaborative worker with mission-driven motivation.
- Creative thinker.
Compensation: $78,000 - $85,000 plus a full package of benefits.
To Apply: Please prepare your cover letter and resumé as an MS Word or PDF document.
APPLICATION PORTAL BEING DEVELOPED
Job Search Timeline
Job posted: September 1 - October 15.
Interviews: October 20 - November 20
Start date: January 4, 2017 or by mutual agreement.
Cantus is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified applicants regardless of gender identification, race, or religion.