Executive Director

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the public face of the USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) and is responsible for administering and executing organizational leadership and operations. To successfully run the USAIHC, the ED must balance high-level arts administration with the specialized needs of an international musical competition.

Reporting to the Board of Directors through the USAIHC President, this role involves engaging the board of directors, managing key volunteers, independent contractors, and leading student coordinators to fulfill the organization's mission. The incoming candidate must be adept at strategic executive partnerships and comfortable consulting with the President and leadership weekly.

This is a full-time hybrid position (part remote, part in-person on-campus and in the Bloomington, IN, community). The ED acts as an executive leader and project manager for four key programs: the triennial solo harp performance competition, the triennial composition contest, ongoing concert series and education/outreach programs.

Primary Responsibilities:

Management and Financial Administration:

A. Organizational Management

• Strategic Leadership: Enhance the USAIHC’s global and local reputation by furthering the mission and vision of the USAIHC. Lead with ideas and action as the organization's executive leader. Create and maintain a positive, team-oriented inspirational tone for the entire organization. Serve as the primary liaison for board members, sponsors, and external partners.
• Strategic Plan (2026-2030): Implement the strategic plan's six key Goals and Objectives: I. Organizational capacity and Governance; II. Financial Sustainability and Philanthropy; III. Artistic Excellence and Competition Programming; IV. Community Engagement, Partnerships and Promotion; V. Brand Visibility and Global Outreach; VI. Education and Outreach
• Operational Leadership: Demonstrate effective office management, technical expertise, communication, and problem-solving skills. Oversee day-to-day office operations, managing all digital and physical systems to ensure a seamless workflow. Maintain organized records and handle sensitive financial or personnel data with utmost discretion.
• Marketing, Communications & Engagement: Create and implement strategies to enhance the USAIHC’s reputation as a leading global platform for the harp. Manage outreach to the Bloomington community and global audiences through strategic social media and digital communication. Prepare professional correspondence, briefing materials, and presentations for key stakeholders.
• Team Management: Hire and manage a seasonal staff of approximately six (6) individuals during competition periods and work closely with paid student coordinators. Direct a network of volunteers who coordinate and implement competition activities from competitor transportation to venue staffing.

B. Financial Management

• Financial Acumen: Serve as the organization’s financial executive overseeing all aspects of the budget and finances. Manage a three-year budget including in-kind support from global sponsors. Oversee financial contractors such as a CPA and/or bookkeeping services. The organizational budget is a three-year cycle of approximately $125,000 in non-competition years and $350,000 in competition years.
• Fundraising: Secure grants, manage donations, and oversee endowment growth to support our programs. Conduct periodic social media fundraising campaigns.
• Contract Negotiation: Lead negotiations and establish deliverables for major contracts, including exclusive sponsors such as Lyon & Healy and the Jacobs School of Music (JSOM).

Core Program Responsibilities :

The ED provides the dynamic leadership necessary to execute the following initiatives:

• Triennial Solo Harp Competition: Direct all aspects of our 10-day world class event in Bloomington, Indiana. Manage over 40 international competitors, a distinguished seven-member international jury, and harp logistics. Manage the competitor application process. Manage the jury scoring system. Coordinate with and support the host families and transportation services.
• Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest: Manage our triennial contest that invites composers to submit new solo harp works; the winning composition becomes required repertoire for Stage III of the main competition.
• Annual Concert Series: Promote and organize performances by distinguished harpists and ensembles to increase public appreciation for the instrument.

Education & Outreach:

• Harp Start: Oversee this dynamic community program that provides free music education and interactive harp demonstrations for students (K-5) and community groups.
• Ambassador Program: Direct our key initiative aimed at engaging students with the harp and the organization.

Board of Directors:

• Reports to the Board of Directors through the President of the Board.
• Effectively engage with a 23-member Board (who serve as key volunteers and donors) to align operations with the organization's mission and vision. Work toward achieving 100% Board giving.
• Ensure effective logistical arrangements, communications, record-keeping, and maintenance of minutes of the Board of Directors meetings.
• Responsible for providing information to the Board, formally and informally, so that they are well-informed about developments within and about the organization.

Committee Support:

• Serve as the Chair of the Competition Committee.
• Ensure all committee minutes are taken and forwarded to the President for inclusion in the Board materials.
• Ensure Committees comply with their Charters.
• Provide general office support for all committees as needed.

Professional Qualifications:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree is required, while a master’s degree is preferred. The ideal candidate holds a Performing Arts or Business Administration degree or Bachelor of Music with equivalent business experience.
• Leadership Experience: At least three years of successful leadership and management experience, ideally within a nonprofit environment. Proven track record in an administrative or office management role, preferably within a nonprofit or arts-focused organization.
• Industry Knowledge: A deep understanding of the classical music field, as well as new music programming, including familiarity with industry standards, competition structures, and the specific needs of musicians and academic partners.
• Familiarity with harpists, the harp community and harp manufacturers is a plus.
• Technical Proficiency: Highly experienced and comfortable with technology. Advanced computer and tech skills, including expert-level command of office productivity software (e.g., Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace) and financial/CRM tools. USAIHC uses Little Green Light, a cloud-based donor management system.
• Fundraising: Experience in grant writing, direct fundraising, donor cultivation, and endowment growth is essential, as the organization relies on these to fund its triennial cycle.
• Financial Expertise: Experience overseeing nonprofit budgets.
• Work Ethic: Must be a proactive self-starter capable of anticipating organizational needs and working with high-level autonomy. A person of high character and integrity who can be trusted with confidential organizational information.
• Time Management: Exceptional ability to prioritize competing deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Communication: Fluent verbal and written communication skills with the technical expertise to bridge the gap between administrative and digital tasks.
• Conflict Resolution & Diplomacy: Serve as the sole point of contact between active competitors and the jury to ensure total impartiality during the competition.
• Nonprofit governance best practices: Demonstrate understanding of current best practices.
• Ability to translate policies into daily routine operations.

Work Environment & Flexibility:

• Hybrid Structure: This role offers a flexible hybrid schedule, allowing for remote administrative work combined with necessary on-site running of programs, meeting with donors and/or members of the Bloomington community. As an exempt employee, the ED works to get the job done and evenings and weekends are often required for board meeting and event-based work.
• On-Site Requirements: Full on-site presence is required during high-activity periods, such as competition cycles, concerts, Harp Starts and other major events.

Skills Required/Current Platforms:

• Microsoft Office 365 Word (Excel, PowerPoint)
• Google Drive (File sharing and storage)
• QuickBooks Online (Access reports and checks processing)
• Little Green Light (Donor database)
• PayPal and Square (Donor processing)
• Squarespace (Website support)
• Constant Contact (Newsletter generation)
• Social media - Facebook, Instagram, other social media platforms
• Canva