Executive Director Suzuki Orff School of Music

General Position Description:
The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer, reports to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission, artistic excellence, and financial objectives. Within these basic guidelines the Executive Director establishes a visible role with the arts and educational community, creates operational policies, over sees the business and fundraising operation, provides administrative and professional leadership for faculty and staff, and has responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the school.

Leadership
• Inspires and nurtures collaboration between the staff and faculty to achieve teamwork and success
• Defines key strategic goals and develops a plan with the Board and other constituencies
• Articulates the vision and plan, communicating effectively and frequently with staff, faculty, school families, donors, program partners and Chicago Public Schools admininstration.
• Estabishes and maintains a strong relationship with the Board.
• Balances artistic and educational sensitivity and innovation with sound management principles to strengthen and maintain the schools’ viability.

Program Development and Administration
• Coordinates and directs all short and long range planning in conjunction with the board.
• Ensures that the school maintains official records and documents, and ensure in compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
• Maintains a working knowledge of developments and trends in music education and works with faculty to maintain high standards of instruction.
• Provides leadership to develop and evaluate programs both on-site and in outreach locations
Communications
• Keeps the board fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it.
• Prepares a written Annual Report of corporation activities which shall be presented to the Board of Directors at its July meeting. The Annual Report shall describe the accomplishments of the school in the preceding year and shall set forth proposals for programs and activities as well as goals to be met in the coming year.
• Explains and communicates the goals of the school to our community at large.
• Promotes active and broad participation by volunteers in all areas of the organization's work.
• Establishes sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with our outreach partners, the arts and educational community groups and organizations.
• Oversees planning and implementations of marketing and publicity strategies

Staff Management and Development
• Employs, evaluate and ensures training and development of faculty
• Assesses staffing needs and recruits, hires and supervises all lpersonnel, both paid staff and volunteers.
• Recommends salary ranges and personnel policies to the board.
• Communicates board policies to staff
• Ensures that job descriptions are developed, that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place.
• Creates and nurtures an appropriate and strong management team.
• Provides an annual evaluation of performance for each staff and faculty member.
• Administers equitable systems of compensation, working conditions, training and development for all school employees.
• Encourages staff and volunteer development and education, and assists program staff in relating their specialized work to the total program of the organization.
• Maintains a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of top quality people.

Budget and Finance
• Develops and maintains sound financial practices.
• Works with the staff, finance committee, and the board in preparing a budget.
• seeEnsures that the organization operates within budget guidelines.
• Manages cost-effective systems for purchasing, billing and accounting to ensure that controls are in place
• Ensures that adequate funds are available to permit the organization to carry out its work.
• Jointly, with the president and secretary of the board of directors, conduct official correspondence of the organization, and jointly, with designated officers, execute legal documents.

Fund Raising
• Advises the board with respect o fundraising needs and plans.
• Proposes goals for annual fundraising and assists in setting outreach targets.
• Participates in fundraising efforts and events of the Board, Auxiliary Council and Family Council.
• Assists the Development Manager in researching, preparing and submitting grants to foundations and corporations.
• Actively cultivates and researches new opportunities for funding by being an active member of the Chicagoland Arts and Education community.
Students and Parents
• Establishes a welcoming atmosphere to build community for all families, faculty and staff.
• Conducts intake interviews for new students and provides guidance and support of existing families.
• Recommends enrollment objectives with respect to number of students, teacher/student ratios and tuition assistance in order to maintain cultural diversity and meet the overall goals of the school.
• Encourages meaningful parent participation in events that aid and support the goals of the school.
Physical Plant
• Participates as a member of the Condo Association.
• Supervises the operation and maintenance of all school facilities.
• Recommends changes necessary to implement student programs or to maintain desired standards of appearance and safety.

Qualifications and Application Requirements

Skills & Qualifications: 

Qualifications
• An active interest and involvement in the Arts and Education, including experience in some facet of music education
A bachelor’s degree is required; degree in non-profit organization management or general business management is recommended
• At least 5-7 years of relevant experience in management of a non-profit organization, academic administration, or organizational or educational development is desired
• Technological competency, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint), and an understanding of social networks, Constant Contact and online advertising
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities required
• Strong project management skills required
• Understanding of general accounting and budgetary principles for non-profit organizations, and ability to review balance sheets and income statements
• Solid background in personnel management, marketing, fundraising, leadership of volunteer organizations
• Vision, passion, tenacity, commitment, attention to detail and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get the job done
• Bilingual a plus but not required.
• Ability to multi-task and a passion for responsibility and the accountability that comes along with it.
Compensation
•
• Medical benefits provided.
• Incentive bonuses may be available based upon individual and organizational performance goals

To Apply: 

Email resume, cover letter and salary history to:soresume@gmail.com

www.suzukiorff.org