CAREERS

See below for current staff openings and submit your materials to careers@iceorg.org. Please no telephone inquiries.

Executive Director

Location: Brooklyn, NY
Salary: $110k – 125k

About the International Contemporary Ensemble

The International Contemporary Ensemble, anchored in Downtown Brooklyn, is a multidisciplinary collective of musicians, digital media artists, producers, and educators committed to creating and fostering collaborative environments that inspire audiences to rethink how they experience contemporary music and sound. For over two decades, the Ensemble has shaped the landscape of New Music by commissioning, developing, and performing works by living artists. The Ensemble has had a major impact on the contemporary performance ecosystem in New York City, nationally, and internationally.

About the Executive Director Role

The Executive Director will be responsible for leading and managing day-to-day operations of the organization and driving fundraising and earned revenue opportunities. Reporting to the Executive Committee, the Executive Director will collaborate with the Artistic Director, Musician’s Committee, and Board to advance the strategy and vision of the organization. The ideal candidate will bring a balance of experience in nonprofit leadership, financial management, and fundraising, helping the Ensemble enhance its operational efficiency, expand its revenue streams, and advance its impact in the contemporary music and arts community.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Leadership and Organizational Management

  • Oversee and manage the Ensemble’s staff and interface with the Musician’s Committee, ensuring operational excellence. Provide coaching, mentorship, and guidance to staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.

  • Oversee strategic direction and planning, in collaboration with the Artistic Director, Musician’s Committee and Board, including the development and implementation of strategic plans that advance Ensemble’s mission and goals.

  • Ensure consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, operations, communications, and information systems.

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the Board, ensuring alignment between leadership and governance.

  • Identify and cultivate prospective board members to strengthen leadership and governance.

  • Prepare meeting agendas and materials for all board meetings, ensuring productive and strategic discussions.

Fundraising and Revenue Generation

  • Manage all development activities, including individual and major gifts, annual appeals, foundation and institutional giving, government funding, and special events and initiatives. Collaborate with Ensemble members to execute development activities.

  • Lead the Ensemble’s efforts in securing major gifts and growing individual donor programs and pipeline, ensuring strong relationships with and engagement of high-net-worth individuals.

  • Build and communicate a clear revenue strategy rooted in the Ensemble’s distinctive mission and vision, identifying current revenue sources and highlighting areas for growth, including negotiating with presenters or developing new partnerships in the arts. This role will own and provide a full, transparent understanding of the Ensemble’s funding priorities and expense alignment to ensure sustainable growth and mission-driven resource allocation.

Communications and Marketing

  • Develop and implement comprehensive PR and marketing strategies to promote the organization’s events, performances, initiatives, and artists.

  • Oversee the creation of press materials, including press releases, media kits, and social media content, to effectively communicate the organization’s mission and activities.

  • Monitor and analyze the success of marketing campaigns and PR efforts, adjusting strategies to optimize results.

  • Manage the organization’s brand, ensuring consistency and alignment across all communications and marketing materials.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Qualifications

  • Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior role in the arts, nonprofit or philanthropy sector

  • Proven track record in securing major gifts, foundation grants, and developing individual giving programs.

  • Experience leading earned revenue initiatives, such as ticket sales, or other revenue generating ventures.

  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to present complex strategies and revenue goals to high-level stakeholders, including board members, presenters, and foundation partners.

  • Experience managing and mentoring a cross-functional team, fostering a culture of collaboration and performance.

  • Familiarity with the New York City performing arts community, including knowledge of classical and new music.

  • Working knowledge of Google Suites, Excel, PatronManager (or other fundraising software), and accounting software.

Status and Location

This is a full-time, exempt role based in our Brooklyn office. The role will include travel and working on nights and weekends periodically in alignment with performances and donor cultivation events.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position is $110k - 125k, including performance-based incentive pay. This is an exempt role that includes benefits.

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified applicants should submit a resume and cover letter by April 30, 2025 to careers@iceorg.org with the subject heading “Executive Director Position.” Applications will be reviewed and considered as they are received. We look forward to hearing from you.

The International Contemporary Ensemble is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, military and veteran status, genetic information or any other factor which cannot be used as a basis for an employment decision.