The central responsibilities of the Executive Director are as follows:
- Partner with the Artistic Director and Board to implement a new five-year strategic plan.
- In concert with the Artistic Director, work to create synergy and strong collaboration across the organization.
- In concert with the Artistic Director, develop and oversee each season, ensuring fiscal responsibility and viability based on audience engagement and support.
- In concert with the Chief Philanthropy Officer, lead the comprehensive fundraising campaign and related activities with a strategic, hands-on approach; cultivate and expand relationships across the region, grow annual contributed revenue, and secure capital support.
- In concert with the Director of Community Engagement, expand the Ballet’s reach regionally through a wide range of in-school residencies, performance assemblies, before/after-school programs, student matinees, adaptive dance partnerships, audience engagement initiatives, and scholarship opportunities.
- In concert with the Louisville Ballet School Director, work to expand the school’s reach and create a nurturing environment for dance students.
- Represent Louisville Ballet within the greater Louisville metro area and the regional dance community through public speaking opportunities, media interviews, and other forms of community engagement.
- In concert with the Chief Marketing Officer, expand on successful communication strategies and guide the marketing, external messaging, and patron engagement of the Louisville Ballet with a focus on increasing ticket sales.
- Forge strong relationships with and work actively to continue to build Louisville Ballet’s Board of Directors.
- Align all human and financial resources (including cash flow, budget, and financial systems) in a way that can sustainably realize the strategic and artistic vision for the company.
- Manage direct reports, which include the Chief Philanthropy Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Director of Community Engagement, Director of Finance, and Administrative Assistant/Board Liaison, and any other positions that may fall under the administrative functions of the company.
The successful candidate will be someone who is deemed easily able to establish strong and productive working partnerships with the Artistic Director and the Board; prior experience with building and cultivating such relationships is a strong plus. The successful candidate will also be able to demonstrate the following skill sets and experience:
- Minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, performing arts, cultural institution, or similarly complex mission-driven organization.
- Proven success leading organizations with annual operating budgets exceeding $5 million.
- Demonstrated ability to raise significant philanthropic support, including major gifts, institutional giving, sponsorships, and campaign fundraising.
- Experience working closely with Boards of Directors, Executive Committees, and governance structures.
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and strategic financial planning.
- Track record of leading organizational growth, change management, and strategic planning initiatives.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with donors, patrons, artists, staff, community leaders, civic partners, and school parents.
- Experience managing and mentoring high-performing teams across administrative and artistic functions.
- Understanding of the unique relationship between artistic leadership and administrative leadership within a performing arts organization.
- Ability to balance mission, artistic excellence, education, community impact, and financial sustainability.
- Demonstrated success in marketing, audience development, patron engagement, and institutional visibility.
- Commitment to fostering a collaborative, respectful, and mission-centered organizational culture.
- Experience engaging with high-net-worth donors and stewarding long-term philanthropic relationships preferred.
- Familiarity with ballet, dance, arts education, orprofessional performing arts environments strongly preferred.