Arts for Learning Indiana Seeks Senior Director, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships

FULL TIME/EXEMPT | SALARY RANGE: $73,000-75,000

Summary
Arts for Learning Indiana, a prominent non-profit organization dedicated to arts education, is seeking an experienced, innovative, and dynamic leader for the position of Senior Director, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships. Our mission is to inspire and engage students in and through the arts, fostering creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills necessary for success in life.
The Sr. Director will be pivotal in expanding our reach and impact through innovative programs and key partnerships across the state. This position requires a visionary leader who is adaptable, forward-thinking, and capable of steering the organization toward new heights in the evolving landscape of education and arts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership
Demonstrate impactful leadership through adept guidance and collaboration, fostering innovation to enhance the organization’s initiatives.
● Manage the program team, ensuring the development and growth of programs and its alignment with the strategic plan.
● Achieve program growth goals outlined in the strategic plan, focusing on geographical and equitable distribution of programs, and fee-for-service opportunities.
● Support the CEO and program team in business development strategy and implementation to rebuild core program revenue.
● Provide leadership and support across departments, assisting with new initiatives, grant applications, budgeting, and evaluation plans.

Growth & Expansion
Drive strategic expansion of Arts for Learning programs to amplify impact and strengthen the organization’s presence in the educational landscape.
● Lead the expansion of in-depth relationships with schools, establishing collaborative, curriculum-based partnerships that address the evolving needs of educational institutions.
● Work with the Communications and Development team to foster partnerships cultivation, supporting relationship-building with schools through promotional materials and grant funds.
● Actively seek opportunities for future business, exploring alternative revenue streams and supporting effective business development strategies.
● Cultivate relationships with key external stakeholders (school districts, funders, thought leaders, community leaders) to advance the organization’s mission; cultivate relationships beyond our current stakeholders and ecosystem.

Program Management
Lead the enhancement and implementation of programs and initiatives to address the diverse needs of school and community partners.
● Develop assessment tools, collect and analyze data to evaluate program quality, impact, and alignment with the needs of schools and community partners.
● Manage diverse program budgets adeptly, ensuring responsible oversight and compliance with grant reporting obligations.
● Advance the fields of arts integration and teaching artists, enhancing the profile of Arts for Learning both in Indiana and nationally. This may include conducting/publishing research, securing presentations at conferences, and serving as a faculty/advisor with other organizations.
● Provide consultation and technical assistance as a fee for service to organizations seeking to learn from the work of Arts for Learning.
● Perform other duties as assigned supporting the development of grants application, budgeting, and other “crunch time” activities for the team.

Qualifications
● Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in arts education, arts administration, education, or a related field.
● At least seven years of experience in arts education, program management, or a related field.
● Demonstrated expertise in leading innovative programs and strategic partnerships.
● Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; capable of working effectively with diverse groups.
● Creative and collaborative, with a track record of developing sustainable partnerships that fulfill organizational missions.
● Ability to adapt and respond effectively to new and changing situations.
● Proficiency in technology, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom. Familiarity with Salesforce and virtual education tools is a plus.
● Bilingual language fluency is preferred for programming and interacting with diverse audiences.

What You’ll Need for Success
● Proven ability in organizational, project management, and communication skills.
● Extensive experience in arts administration and in-depth knowledge of the non-profit and education sectors.
● Capacity to drive in-person meetings with community partners.
● Reliable internet connection for remote work when necessary.

Tenets of our Culture:
● A hybrid schedule and unlimited PTO support work/life balance.
● Commitment to an equitable work environment, including the practice of consensual conflict resolution, transparency in communication, and upholding a “Brave Space”.
● Cell phone stipend and gas reimbursement.
● Regular community gatherings to build and nurture our community.
● Part of the Young Audiences/Arts for Learning and the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning through the Arts national affiliate networks.
● Acknowledgment of our role in becoming an Anti-Racist organization and commitment to transformation.

At Arts for Learning Indiana, we value:
● Access, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (ABIDE) are pillars of our culture.
● The strength of symbiotic and innovative partnerships.
● Learning that fosters Imagination for Self-discovery, Critical Thought, and Empathy.
● Celebrating and supporting the roles of Artists, Educators, and Youth in integrating creativity into their lives.

We thank all who lift up the mission and celebrate the vibrancy of the Arts for Learning community: staff, board, donors, advocates, and volunteers.

About Arts for Learning
Founded in 1961, Arts for Learning, the Indiana Affiliate of Young Audiences, empowers children to achieve their creative and intellectual potential through arts in education. Part of the Young Audiences Arts for Learning national network, Arts for Learning is one of 30 affiliates certified by the national office. We reach approximately 40,000 children yearly with performances, workshops, and artist residency programs in-school, after-school, and out-of-school. We augment this activity with an array of professional development opportunities designed to help teachers and teaching artists bring the arts into the school environment more effectively.

Arts for Learning is an equal opportunity employer that values children’s right to access the arts and the participatory arts experiences that unlock minds, expand lives, and fulfill creative and intellectual potential.

To apply, contact Deep End Talent Strategies.