Arizona School for the Arts, Executive Director

MISSION STATEMENT

Arizona School for the Arts (ASA) is dedicated to inspiring creative thinkers and leaders through an innovative college preparation curriculum enriched by the performing arts.

For more information about ASA, please visit www.goasa.org.

OPPORTUNITY

After nearly 30 years as part of the ASA community, as a founding teacher leader, former principal, and, since 2007, in the Head of School/CEO seat, Leah Fregulia will be retiring at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. In this newly designed position, the Executive Director (ED) will build on ASA’s longstanding success by driving its mission, vision, and strategic objectives forward, ensuring the institution’s ongoing sustainability and growth. The ED will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the school’s success, including academics, arts programming, financial sustainability, and institutional growth, while adhering to the policies set forth by the Board of Directors. The ED serves as the primary representative of ASA, building meaningful relationships with alumni, community members, business leaders, governmental bodies, and educational organizations at local, state, regional, and national levels.

The ED will uphold the traditions and values of ASA, ensuring that the institution’s environment and culture are reflective of its core principles and aspirations while fostering an inclusive environment.

This role reports directly to the ASA Board of Directors and oversees the Senior Leadership Team, which includes the Principal, Director of Marketing and Development, and Director of Business and Finance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership and Direction: Provide strategic leadership and direction to achieve the ASA’s mission and vision, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Institutional Success: Oversee all aspects of the school's success, including academic and artistic programs, financial management, campus development, and institutional advancement.
• External Relations: Serve as ASA’s chief ambassador, building partnerships with external stakeholders and promoting ASA’s presence in the broader community.
• Management: Lead the Senior Leadership Team through effective management and strategic delegation while maintaining ultimate responsibility for success metrics, business affairs, and institutional development.
• Community & Inclusivity: Champion ASA's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where a college preparatory and performing arts education is accessible to the entire community, and where diverse perspectives and diversity of race, gender, and sexual orientation are respected and valued.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & PRIORITIES

EXTERNAL-FACING DUTIES - 60%

Fundraising & Advancement 

• Collaborate with the Director of Development and Marketing to maximize fundraising efforts through ASA’s development programs including the annual fund, planned giving, and major events.
• In partnership with the Board, oversee ASA’s development efforts, cultivating relationships with past and prospective donors and corporate partners to secure major gifts, grants, and sponsorships.
• Oversee alumni relations, ensuring a strong network through special events, communications, and engagement strategies.

Community Engagement & Partnership Building

• Strengthen ASA's community presence by nurturing and pursuing purposeful partnerships with local arts organizations, businesses, and other community stakeholders, elevating and deepening relationships to enrich the school experience.
• Identify, establish and maintain value added relationships with partner organizations that provide support, resources, and services aligned with the strategic plan.
• Reignite and expand community partnerships to boost collective presence, visibility, and access to performance opportunities and arts education.

Communications, Visibility & Marketing 

• Lead strategic marketing initiatives that enhance ASA’s brand recognition and public visibility, and reinforces the value of ASA’s embeddedness in the downtown and arts community. 
• Oversee the school’s key messages, marketing, promotion and delivery of quality public relations materials for multiple communication channels. 
• Manage and lead crisis communications as needed, providing clear, prompt, and strategic guidance during critical situations.

Student Recruitment & Retention

• Collaborate with the Principal to enhance student recruitment and retention, aligning enrollment with ASA’s mission, school culture, values, and expectations resulting in cohesive, positive student connection to the school and its mission.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with the school community and promotes a cooperative spirit among the school’s personnel and parents to enhance the educational and social climate of the school.   
• Provide strategic direction and resources to grow student enrollment through targeted marketing campaigns, community outreach and effective recruiting practices.

Facilities & Resource Development

• Lead the development of a Master Site Plan to enhance ASA’s campus and drive a capital campaign to support its execution, ensuring facilities meet the needs of both academic and arts programs.
• Nurture opportunities to use the ASA campus for after school/summer arts and academic enrichment programs and community performances.

SCHOOL-BASED WORK - 40%

Student Achievement & College Readiness

• Work closely with the Principal to establish academic performance goals, enhance student achievement, and promote college readiness, while ensuring these goals are achieved.
• Lead the hiring, evaluation, and development of Senior Leadership Team direct reports including the Principal.

Financial & Operational Oversight 

• Oversee school business operations, including budgeting, tracking income and expenses, managing investments and cash flow, maintaining records, and supporting auditors.
• Collaborate with the Business Director to prepare annual budget recommendations for Board approval and manage resources within budget guidelines, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws, filing all required reports with education agencies.
• Oversee employment and HR matters, including contracts, salaries, benefits, job assignments, personnel records, and employee handbooks.

Charter Advocacy & Compliance 

• Lead advocacy efforts to advance the organization's mission, while maintaining ASA's charter and ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies.
• Participate on external Boards and transfer those relationships to relevant team members for continued collaboration. 
• Oversee the charter renewal process while building and managing relationships with the authorizing body.

Teacher Recruitment & Retention

• Ensure resources for Principal to recruit, hire, retain, and professionally develop highly qualified teachers and staff who are aligned to the ASA mission, values, and pedagogy.
• Foster a positive work and organizational culture that supports teacher well-being, engagement, and long-term retention through regular feedback, recognition, and opportunities for growth.

Board Relations 

• Acts as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board and its committees, advising the Board on school matters while ensuring separation of governance and management responsibilities.
• Collaborates with the Board to develop and align long-term strategic plans, ensuring proper resource allocation and delegation for implementation. Regularly reviews progress and updates the Board.
• Keeps the Board informed through regular reports, data sharing, and timely updates on major school developments. Seeks Board input on key decisions and new initiatives.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Executive Experience: 10+ years of visionary, strategic, and results-based leadership experience in a similar role.
• Education: Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, Non-Profit Leadership, or a related field.
• School & Board Experience: 3+ years of experience working in schools and with a Board of Directors.
• School Leader Management: Preferred 3+ years of experience overseeing and managing school principals.
• Commitment to the Arts: Proven commitment to the arts and demonstrated passion for advancing arts education combined with strong knowledge of and relationships with local and national arts programs.
• Fundraising Expertise: Successful track record in leading fundraising efforts and managing institutional advancement.
• Community Engagement: Experience and expertise in community engagement and external partnerships. 
• Marketing Expertise: Experience building brand recognition through marketing and communication initiatives. 
• Charter School Familiarity: Familiarity with charter school operations and compliance, including charter renewal process.
• Facilities Development: Experience with facilities development and working with local governments to develop facilities/site plans.
• Clearance: Have the ability to secure an active IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Communications Skills: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Achievement Orientation: Proven ability to drive achievement through the success of others.
• Executive Presence: Demonstrates strong executive presence, building effective relationships with external stakeholders.
• People Leadership: Guides and supports team members in setting ambitious goals, providing coaching to achieve outstanding results.
• Equity Leadership: Demonstrates a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, driving equitable outcomes and fostering an inclusive environment for the school community.
• Business Acumen: Background in business or finance.
• Principled Approach: Strong work ethic and commitment to personal integrity.
• Feedback Orientation: Actively seeks and incorporates feedback from all stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced environment with a natural curiosity to learn and grow.

Benefits

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position offers a competitive base salary range of $150,000 - $160,000 plus bonus. More details can be provided upon request.

• Full benefits package available.
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System.
• Competitive bonus structure based on fundraising goals and success.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume online at https://apply.workable.com/j/79C687A997/.

ASA is an equal opportunity employer. Discrimination against an otherwise qualified individual with a disability or any individual by reason of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, or veteran status is prohibited. Efforts will be made in recruitment and employment to ensure equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons.