Summary
Description
Job Title: Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director
Reports to: Rocky Mountain Arts Association Board of Directors
Position status: Full Time
Schedule: Flexible schedule based on needs. Some weekends and evenings are required.
ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY
The Rocky Mountain Arts Association (RMArts) is one of the state’s premier performing arts organizations, producing a series of concerts each year and participating in dozens of community outreach events. RMArts is the oldest & largest LGBTQIA+ arts organization in Colorado with two current programs, the Denver Feminist Chorus (DFC) and Denver Gay Men’s Chorus (DGMC). RMArts currently operates with an annual budget of approximately $650,000.
The mission of RMArts is to build community through music. We have provided inspiring choral performances with themes of social justice, equality, and acceptance since 1982. We value entertaining, educating, inspiring, and empowering our audiences to create and nurture safe, supportive, and inclusive communities for our singers and for all citizens.
Most importantly, we provide a safe environment and community for over 300 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, and asexual and/or allies to express their artistry. Our performances contribute to the diversity and vibrancy of the arts community in Colorado, and educational, cultural, and social enrichment for our audiences.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director (ED) serves as chief executive of Rocky Mountain Arts Association and, through frequent collaboration with the Board, is responsible for the overall success of the organization. The ED will foster a collaborative and respectful environment that facilitates high performance of all staff and volunteers. Through a collaborative relationship, the ED will establish a culture alongside the RMArts Artistic Directors that facilitates the success of programming, including:
- Clear and authentic communication,
- Creating an environment of trust and close collaboration, and
- Shared vision for all of RMArts grounded in artistic excellence and the advancement of the mission and vision of RMArts and its Programs.
The Board delegates responsibility for management and day-to-day operations to the ED; they have the authority to carry out these responsibilities in accordance with the direction and policies established by the Board. The ED will lead the development and implementation of a strategic plan while supporting the Board as it carries out its governance functions. In this management capacity, the ED supervises one full time employee (Office Manager) and two contract employees (Marketing Manager and Staff Accountant).
As the primary spokesperson and revenue generator for RMArts, the ED cultivates relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders to meet contributed revenue goals as well as interfacing with the community through media engagements and public speaking. In addition, the ED serves as a key liaison to community organizations, dedicating time to building and sustaining strong, impactful partnerships.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Fund Development ~25%
- In collaboration with the Board fundraising committee, creates an annual development plan to reach established contributed revenue goals.
- Maintains and increases corporate, foundation, and individual sponsorships of DGMC and DFC, while actively seeking to establish new donors and sponsorships supporting RMArts’s mission and strategic plan.
- Establish an individual donor pipeline to effectively cultivate, solicit, and steward donors of all sizes.
- Collaborate with Marketing Manager to create fundraising messaging designed to drive annual giving campaigns, including Colorado Gives Day and Pride campaigns.
- Collaborate with chorus leadership teams to provide best practices and coordination for program-specific fundraising initiatives, such as peer-to-peer campaigns and silent auctions/raffles.
- Facilitates and leads the strategy to execute an effective fund development program and collaborates the Board with identifying and designing new fund development opportunities.
- Actively markets and promotes RMArts revenue generating events.
- Fiscal Management ~20%
- Oversees the fiscal activities of the Organization, including budgeting, reporting and auditing.
- Ensures that organizational programs and services are produced in a cost-effective manner, employing an economic mindset while supporting an exceptional level of quality.
- Create an annual budget to be approved by the Board through a cooperative process with Board Treasurer, Staff Accountant, other Staff (including the Artistic Directors), and Program Leadership Teams.
- Adhere to this approved budget and provide regular budget forecasts to appropriate stakeholders.
- Ensures that dual controls are in place for all accounting with the RMArts Board Treasurer and Staff Accountant.
- Communication & External Relations ~20%
- Lead internal & external communications strategies on behalf of RMArts with a goal of integrating the organization into the fabric of the community.
- Acts as an advocate, within the public and private sectors, for issues relevant to the organization, its programs and constituencies.
- Serves as chief spokesperson for RMArts, assuring proper representation of the organization to the community.
- Management and Administration ~20%
- Supervises RMArts administrative staff and volunteers.
- Collaborate with DGMC Artistic Director and DFC Artistic Director to ensure consistent management and policy oversight for RMArts programs.
- Manages day-to-day operations of the organization and assures a smoothly functioning and efficient organization.
- Assures a work environment that recruits, supports and retains quality staff and volunteers.
- Recommends staffing and financing to the Board of Directors.
- In accordance with Board action and in adherence with board policy, recruits staff, negotiates professional contracts and ensures that appropriate salary structures are developed and maintained.
- Specifies accountabilities for management personnel, both paid and volunteer, and evaluates staff performance annually.
- Mission, Policy and Planning ~10%
- Collaborates with the Board to uphold the organization’s values, mission, vision and short- and long-term goals.
- Collaborates with the Board to monitor and evaluate RMArts’s relevance to the community, its effectiveness and its outcomes.
- Keeps the Board fully informed regarding the status of all programs and projects of the organization and on all important factors influencing organizational activities.
- Remains informed of developments and best practices in human services, nonprofit management and governance, philanthropy and fund development.
- Legal Compliance ~5%
- Assures the filing of all legal and regulatory documents and monitors compliance with relevant laws and regulations including, but not limited to, licensing and filing of all tax documents and reports.
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and non-profit experience and at least five years of senior level non-profit management and fundraising experience or the equivalent, is preferred for this position. Experience managing a performing arts organization and/or supporting LGBTQIA+ people is desirable. RMArts will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can help RMArts to achieve its mission, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of fundraising best practices with demonstrated ability to create and implement an annual fund development plan.
- Knowledge of finance, personnel management, planning, evaluation and nonprofit governance.
- Knowledge of, and experience with, software programs for word processing, data collection and tracking, and budget management.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Skill at delivering formal, persuasive presentations to groups.
- Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule to meet the demands of executive management.
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
- Ability to organize and prioritize multiple responsibilities simultaneously and with minimal supervision.
- Ability to ensure accuracy and clarity of data management and reporting.
- Knowledge of issues and matters of concern to the LGBTQIA+ community.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The ED primarily works in a climate controlled office environment with frequent interpersonal interactions. Hybrid work options are available and this position requires frequent travel throughout the Denver metro area. This position may also work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends.
NOTE: This job description delineates the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees performing this job. Furthermore, this job description does not establish a contract of employment. Rocky Mountain Arts Association reserves the right to change job descriptions at any time, with or without notice, as service needs require.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The RMArts Executive Director is a full-time, non-exempt salaried position. The salary range of this position is $80,000 – $95,000 per year. Full time employees of RMArts are eligible to participate in a comprehensive benefits program that can be discussed on an individual basis.
HOW TO APPLY
To be fully considered for this position, please complete the application form using this link: https://forms.gle/5f4P1daMqdLBS48U7
Using this application, please upload the following:
- Resume/CV
- Cover letter (2 pages max) outlining:
- Your interest in this position
- Your skills and previous experiences as they relate to this position
Applications will be accepted until June 26, 2026. Applications received after this date may not be considered. This position has an anticipated start date in August or September of 2026.
QUESTIONS?
To learn more about this position and the organization, interested candidates may reach out to RMArts Board Chair Marcus Turner at mturner@rmarts.org.
