Job spotting: Executive Director of The Roots of Music

The Roots of Music students and performers at the Orpheum Theater. (Photo: Roots of Music Facebook)

Editor’s Note: New Orleans jobs are unlike any other in the country (walk down Royal street any day of the week), and when we see jobs that get us excited, we want to tell you about them! So here you go…

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Full Time. Salary commensurate with experience and other qualifications. Quality benefits package includes health and PTO. 

The Roots of Music empowers the youth of New Orleans through music education, academic support, and mentorship, while preserving and promoting the unique musical and cultural heritage of our city. By offering positive and accessible after-school programming the organization is able to keep students occupied and productive during the hours when they are most vulnerable due to lack of after school supervision. Five days a week, 12 months a year, the instructors at ROM work to develop talent for New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), Berklee College of Music, and other intensive music education programs to further our students’ careers in music. ROM supports economic development efforts throughout the community in hopes of creating greater opportunities for New Orleans’ next generation of musicians.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Roots of Music seeks a strong, innovative leader to build upon our success providing free music education and academic mentorship to qualifying children throughout the New Orleans area. 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for The Roots of Music staff and execution of its mission. All candidates should have proven excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget. Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders is ideal. The ED will ensure that Roots’ fiscal operations, fundraising, marketing, human resource, technology, and programmatic strategies are effectively implemented across all segments of the organization. The ED is a financially savvy and politically astute leader with the ability to set clear priorities, delegate, and guide investment in people and systems; keen analytic, organization and problem solving skills, which support and enable sound decision making.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Board Governance

• Work with board to fulfill The Roots of Music’s organizational mission.
• Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board. Providing timely and accurate information necessary for the Board to function properly and make informed decisions.

Financial Performance and Viability 

• Develop sufficient resources to ensure the financial health of the organization.
• Responsible for the fiscal integrity of ROM, to include submission to the Board of a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.
• Responsible for fiscal management operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position.
• Responsible for fundraising and developing resources necessary to support ROM’s mission.

Mission and Strategy: 

• Works with board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning and community outreach.
• Responsible for strategic planning to ensure that The Roots of Music can successfully fulfill its mission into the future.
• Responsible for the enhancement of The Root’s of Music’s image by being active and visible in the community.
• Advocate of behalf of ROM and for the needs of the children we serve on local, state, and federal levels

Operations:

• Oversee and implement appropriate resources to ensure operation of the organization.
• Responsible for the hiring and retention of competent, qualified staff.
• Responsible for signing all notes, agreements, and other instruments made and entered into on behalf of ROM.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
• Five or more years senior nonprofit management or social enterprise experience
• Budget management skills, budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting
• Knowledge of fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to nonprofit sector
• Skills to collaborate with and motivate board members and other volunteers
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to interface and engage diverse volunteer and donor groups
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff
• Work 12PM-8PM, Monday-Friday with occasional night and weekend hours
• Must enjoy working with kids
• Knowledge and appreciation of New Orleans music/culture

The Roots of Music is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Click here for even more details on the job and click here for information on the program.