What are the responsibilities and job description for the Managing Director position at The Fine Arts Association?
Description
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