ThinkingAhead Executive Search
Chief Executive Officer | Academy Center of the Arts
ThinkingAhead Executive Search, Lynchburg, Virginia, us, 24513
Chief Executive Officer | Academy Center of the Arts Position: Chief Executive Officer
While professional experience and qualifications are key for this role, make sure to check you have the preferable soft skills before applying if required. Base pay range : $130,000.00/yr - $150,000.00/yr (base pay range provided by ThinkingAhead Executive Search; actual pay based on skills and experience) Organization:
Academy Center of the Arts Reports to:
Board of Trustees About the Academy Center of the Arts Located in downtown Lynchburg, the Academy Center of the Arts is a multi-venue arts organization serving Central Virginia. The organization operates four venues: Historic Academy Theatre (800 seats), Warehouse Theatre (340 seats), Music Hall (100 seats), and a Visual Arts Studio. It presents more than 250 programs annually across music, theatre, dance, film, comedy, and other disciplines, and provides year-round arts education and community outreach. The Academy supports collaborations with partners such as the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, Opera on the James, Charlottesville Ballet, and the Jefferson Choral Society. Position Overview The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the strategic, operational, and public leader of the Academy Center of the Arts. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission and ensuring long-term vitality across programming, operations, education, marketing, development, and finance. The CEO guides a staff across departments to deliver meaningful experiences and strong community impact, fostering internal leadership, alignment, and trust. Key Responsibilities Lead the implementation of the strategic plan; connect long-term vision to daily execution. Establish a culture of accountability with clear goals, measurable outcomes, and regular rhythms (e.g., EOS, Pinnacle, or similar systems). Make timely decisions reflecting organizational values and priorities. Ensure operational excellence across programming, facilities, guest experience, development, education, and administration. Culture and Team Building Foster a joyful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace. Model emotional intelligence, open communication, and mutual respect. Strengthen cohesion across the senior team and broader staff; manage morale. Provide ongoing feedback and celebrate team successes; uphold a healthy, values-driven culture. Oversee budgets and monitor financial performance; communicate financial insights to staff and the Board. Serve as chief fundraiser; lead donor cultivation, stewardship, and major giving strategies with the Advancement team. Build and sustain relationships with donors, foundations, sponsors, and other funders. Community and External Relations Act as the Academy’s primary public representative; be a visible, accessible presence in Lynchburg. Build relationships with civic leaders, cultural partners, and community stakeholders. Collaborate with schools and nonprofit partners to expand access and outreach; advocate for the arts regionally. Board Engagement and Communication Maintain open, transparent communication with the Board of Trustees. Partner with the Board to shape strategic direction, policy, and goals; engage Trustees as ambassadors and thought partners. Key Qualifications Demonstrated success in nonprofit or arts leadership, ideally within a multi-venue arts center. Proven ability to lead both business and artistic/mission aspects (fundraising, financial management, operations, community programs, education, partnerships). Strong fundraising track record including donor cultivation and major gifts. Experience building community trust, civic relationships, and cultural partnerships. Ability to foster a healthy organizational culture, staff cohesion, morale, and emotional intelligence in leadership. Understanding of programming and artist booking in a presenting environment; balance artistic vision with financial sustainability. Strong communication and public presence; a compelling advocate for the arts. Strategic thinker with operational and leadership execution skills. Willingness to reside in Lynchburg and be an engaged, visible community leader. Compensation Compensation for the CEO is $130,000 to $150,000 annually, based on experience.
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While professional experience and qualifications are key for this role, make sure to check you have the preferable soft skills before applying if required. Base pay range : $130,000.00/yr - $150,000.00/yr (base pay range provided by ThinkingAhead Executive Search; actual pay based on skills and experience) Organization:
Academy Center of the Arts Reports to:
Board of Trustees About the Academy Center of the Arts Located in downtown Lynchburg, the Academy Center of the Arts is a multi-venue arts organization serving Central Virginia. The organization operates four venues: Historic Academy Theatre (800 seats), Warehouse Theatre (340 seats), Music Hall (100 seats), and a Visual Arts Studio. It presents more than 250 programs annually across music, theatre, dance, film, comedy, and other disciplines, and provides year-round arts education and community outreach. The Academy supports collaborations with partners such as the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, Opera on the James, Charlottesville Ballet, and the Jefferson Choral Society. Position Overview The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the strategic, operational, and public leader of the Academy Center of the Arts. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission and ensuring long-term vitality across programming, operations, education, marketing, development, and finance. The CEO guides a staff across departments to deliver meaningful experiences and strong community impact, fostering internal leadership, alignment, and trust. Key Responsibilities Lead the implementation of the strategic plan; connect long-term vision to daily execution. Establish a culture of accountability with clear goals, measurable outcomes, and regular rhythms (e.g., EOS, Pinnacle, or similar systems). Make timely decisions reflecting organizational values and priorities. Ensure operational excellence across programming, facilities, guest experience, development, education, and administration. Culture and Team Building Foster a joyful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace. Model emotional intelligence, open communication, and mutual respect. Strengthen cohesion across the senior team and broader staff; manage morale. Provide ongoing feedback and celebrate team successes; uphold a healthy, values-driven culture. Oversee budgets and monitor financial performance; communicate financial insights to staff and the Board. Serve as chief fundraiser; lead donor cultivation, stewardship, and major giving strategies with the Advancement team. Build and sustain relationships with donors, foundations, sponsors, and other funders. Community and External Relations Act as the Academy’s primary public representative; be a visible, accessible presence in Lynchburg. Build relationships with civic leaders, cultural partners, and community stakeholders. Collaborate with schools and nonprofit partners to expand access and outreach; advocate for the arts regionally. Board Engagement and Communication Maintain open, transparent communication with the Board of Trustees. Partner with the Board to shape strategic direction, policy, and goals; engage Trustees as ambassadors and thought partners. Key Qualifications Demonstrated success in nonprofit or arts leadership, ideally within a multi-venue arts center. Proven ability to lead both business and artistic/mission aspects (fundraising, financial management, operations, community programs, education, partnerships). Strong fundraising track record including donor cultivation and major gifts. Experience building community trust, civic relationships, and cultural partnerships. Ability to foster a healthy organizational culture, staff cohesion, morale, and emotional intelligence in leadership. Understanding of programming and artist booking in a presenting environment; balance artistic vision with financial sustainability. Strong communication and public presence; a compelling advocate for the arts. Strategic thinker with operational and leadership execution skills. Willingness to reside in Lynchburg and be an engaged, visible community leader. Compensation Compensation for the CEO is $130,000 to $150,000 annually, based on experience.
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