Fine Arts Association Managing Director Location: Willoughby, Ohio Reports To: Board of Directors Status: Full-Time, Exempt The Opportunity The Fine Arts Association seeks an experienced and operationally focused Managing Director to lead the day-to-day operations of the organization and execute on its strategic priorities. This is a hands-on leadership role for a disciplined, people-centered manager who thrives on building strong teams, driving accountability, and delivering results. The Managing Director will be responsible for the full scope of FAA's operations — financial management, staff leadership, program delivery, and fundraising execution — while working in close partnership with the Board of Directors. The ideal candidate is not primarily a visionary but an executor: someone who can take clear direction, build systems, hold people accountable, and get things done. This leader will inherit a talented and mission-committed staff and will be expected to cultivate, develop, and retain that team for the long term.
Required Skills and Experience
1. Operational Excellence
Proven ability to manage the day-to-day operations of a complex, multi-program organization with discipline and consistency
Experience building and maintaining organizational systems, processes, and workflows that improve efficiency and accountability
Demonstrated ability to identify operational gaps and implement practical, sustainable solutions without disrupting core mission delivery
Comfortable managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-moving environment
2. Financial Management
Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and act on financial statements including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow reports
Experience managing organizational budgets, monitoring performance against plan, and making real-time adjustments to stay on track
Proven ability to identify and implement cost efficiencies without compromising program quality
Understanding of nonprofit financial management including endowment stewardship, restricted fund compliance, and debt management
3. People Leadership & Staff Development
Proven track record of leading, developing, and retaining a diverse staff across multiple departments and disciplines, including faculty
Direct supervisory responsibility for FAA's full staff — this leader must be an engaged, present, and effective people manager
Ability to set clear performance expectations, conduct timely and meaningful performance reviews, and hold direct reports accountable to measurable goals
Commitment to cultivating a positive, resilient, and inclusive workplace culture where staff feel valued, supported, and challenged to grow
Skill in identifying talent, creating internal development opportunities, and building long-term organizational capacity
4. Fundraising & External Relations
Experience supporting or executing fundraising efforts including major gift cultivation, grant writing, and corporate and government relations
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with donors, community partners, and external stakeholders
Comfortable representing the organization publicly and articulating its mission compellingly to a variety of audiences
5. Mission Commitment
Genuine belief in the value of arts education and community-based arts programming
Ability to connect operational decisions to mission impact and communicate that connection clearly to staff, donors, and the board
QualificationsQualifications
Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience, with demonstrated success in an operational management role
Prior experience as a Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director, or similar role in a nonprofit, arts, or education organization preferred
Demonstrated history of successfully managing staff across multiple departments
Strong financial literacy — experience reading and acting on financial reports is required
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
Skills Required
- Proven ability to manage day-to-day operations of a complex, multi-program organization
- Experience building and maintaining organizational systems, processes, and workflows to improve efficiency and accountability
- Ability to identify operational gaps and implement practical, sustainable solutions
- Comfortable managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-moving environment
- Ability to read, interpret, and act on financial statements including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow reports
- Experience managing organizational budgets, monitoring performance against plan, and making real-time adjustments
- Proven ability to identify and implement cost efficiencies without compromising program quality
- Understanding of nonprofit financial management including endowment stewardship, restricted fund compliance, and debt management
- Proven track record of leading, developing, and retaining a diverse staff across multiple departments and disciplines
- Direct supervisory responsibility for full staff and effective people management
- Ability to set clear performance expectations, conduct meaningful performance reviews, and hold reports accountable
- Commitment to cultivating a positive, resilient, and inclusive workplace culture
- Skill in identifying talent, creating internal development opportunities, and building long-term organizational capacity
- Experience supporting or executing fundraising efforts including major gift cultivation, grant writing, and corporate and government relations
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with donors, community partners, and external stakeholders
- Comfortable representing the organization publicly and articulating its mission to diverse audiences
- Genuine belief in the value of arts education and community-based arts programming
- Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience with success in operational management
- Prior experience as a Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director, or similar role in a nonprofit, arts, or education organization
- Strong financial literacy and experience reading and acting on financial reports
- Bachelor's degree
- Advanced degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or related field
What We Do
The Fine Arts Association is a private, non-profit organization based in Willoughby, Ohio, dedicated to fostering imagination and creativity. It serves as a center for arts education and performance, offering professional instruction in visual arts, dance, theatre, music, and creative arts therapies to students of all ages. The organization also provides scholarships to children from families below the poverty level and hosts various cultural activities.
