EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Title: Executive Director  
Location: The House Foundation for the Arts, New York, NY 
Ideal Start Date: October 1, 2026 
Position Type: Full-Time Permanent (flexible hybrid work environment)
Experience: 7 years minimum 

Submit a cover letter and resume by email to monk@meredithmonk.org. 
Please include your full name and Executive Director in the subject line.

Mission Statement

Founded in 1971, The House Foundation for the Arts is a nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate cultural engagement through live music concerts, interdisciplinary performances, exhibitions and educational initiatives. The House Foundation develops, disseminates, promotes and preserves the work of iconic American artist Meredith Monk and members of Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble.

The House Foundation seeks an Executive Director with a strong connection to the arts sector who has a proven track record in fundraising, production management, board development and nonprofit fiscal management. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the individual will provide staff leadership to four direct reports while working in tandem with Artistic Director and founder Meredith Monk on existing and future artistic works. Building a very close and harmonious relationship with Monk, it is imperative that this position strives for balance between Monk’s artistic vision and what is most advantageous for the organization’s success and sustainability. In collaboration with our expert Fundraising Consultant, the Executive Director will lead fundraising initiatives and the implementation of The Lineage Project, a strategic initiative supported by the Mellon Foundation to preserve and archive Monk’s artistic legacy. Along with the Production Manager, this position will oversee all artistic production management of new and current works, including NYC, national and international touring. In addition to managing the organization’s core seasonal programming, the Executive Director will provide creative oversight for education programs in partnership with the Communications/Education Consultant. Furthermore, this position will lead the compliance and fiscal management with assistance from financial management service, Artspool. Tasked with inspiring the staff, this position will lead general operations for the nonprofit, working with a team of salaried full-time and part-time employees, project based artists, and contracted designers. 

The ideal candidate will be a proactive problem solver with proven leadership and the ability to create a healthy and thriving collaborative work culture. The individual will possess grace, sound judgment, integrity and diplomacy as well as a sense of humor. Often serving as the face of the organization, the Executive Director must be able to present themselves with confidence to funders, presenters, cultural partners and to our constituents.  

Position Responsibilities

  • Staff leadership 
    • Lead a staff of 4 direct reports through short and long-term project goals 
    • Create staff alignment and build trust promoting autonomy and empowerment
    • Communicate with clarity and transparency
    • Complete staff performance reviews annually
  • Fundraising
    • Partner with the Fundraising Consultant to lead annual fundraising strategy including donor appeals, institutional giving and federal, state and local support
    • Oversee grant calendar, application narratives and budgets 
    • Collaborate with Fundraising Consultant and Board in the planning and execution of small and large fundraising events
  • Financial management 
    • Maintain financial stability and offer regular financial updates to the board
    • In partnership with Artspool, build annual budget, oversee cash flow, manage income and expenses and oversee audit process
    • Preserve and grow the board managed cash cushion in collaboration with and overseen by the Board of Directors
  • Marketing & Communications
    • In collaboration with Media Manager oversee marketing calendar for email blasts and social media communication
    • In partnership with Media Manager and Communications/Education Consultant assist with the development of external organization communications 
  • Board Relations
    • In tandem with Board President oversee board communication, board meetings and encourage board engagement
    • Assist in the addition of new board members achieving higher levels of diversity 
    • Support board compliance and governance best practices
  • Artistic Production 
    • Build annual season performance, rehearsal, event and touring calendar 
    • Oversee Meredith Monk’s calendar as it relates to Foundation related activities
    • Manage all presenter communications, act as booking agent, negotiate contracts, and in partnership with the Production Manager oversee tech riders and production schedules 
    • Engage, negotiate and contract artists and designers for upcoming engagements while overseeing logistics and communication 
    • Create and supervise project budgets for the development of new artistic projects as well as touring of current projects
    • Assist in museum exhibitions that present Monk’s artistic body of work
  • Lineage Project 
    • Manage budgets and fundraising to ensure continued implementation of the legacy plan 
    • Oversee archive staff and the development of the digital archive
    • Work closely with Lineage Project consultant on implementation of project needs
  • Daily Operations 
    • Oversee daily operations of the organization including but not limited to lease obligations, sublease tenants, maintenance and upkeep of office and storage facilities
    • In accordance with Employee Handbook steer all HR related matters in cooperation with Board President and the Governance Committee
    • Ensure the organization maintains nonprofit corporate and governance compliance abiding by all applicable laws and regulations and liaise with legal counsel on these matters while keeping abreast of them

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of relevant work experience in nonprofit management, preferably in music/performing arts
  • Demonstrated collaborative leadership, delegation and diplomacy skills, including the ability to productively engage in conflict and find solutions
  • Proven track record and demonstrated success in fundraising, artistic production, fiscal management and staff development
  • Experience in stewarding current and new donors, as well as strategizing grant applications for foundation, federal, state and local funding sources
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
  • Requires availability some nights and weekends
  • Domestic and international travel required
  • Must be vaccinated against Covid-19
  • Strong computer skills 

Salary and Benefits

This full-time position offers a competitive salary of $95,000 to $105,000. Benefits package include: flexible hybrid work environment; fully covered medical insurance; 401K retirement plan plus 3% match; unlimited paid vacation days within reason upon approval; 10 paid sick days; 12 paid holidays plus time off between Christmas and New Year’s Day.