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- A New Shanghai Landmark for Opera
Good Morning,
Snøhetta, the Oslo architecture firm, opened the Shanghai Grand Opera House on October 17 with a double-helix staircase on the Huangpu River that passersby can climb whether or not they have a seat inside (Architectural Digest).
Buddy Brundo, 83, is asking $15 million for Conway Recording Studios, the Melrose Avenue complex where Fleetwood Mac and Kendrick Lamar recorded (Los Angeles Times). Will a judge break up Live Nation? Hundreds of independent venues around America have closed as Live Nation tightened its grip on the concert business. The judge who could break up the company hasn’t ruled on its bid to overturn April’s verdict (Los Angeles Times).
Art Basel Paris closed Friday night, two days early, ahead of planned weekend protests in the city, and a Vienna dealer says that participating galleries will lose the weekend collectors who work during the week (ARTnews).
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s funding campaign closed at $344 million against a $330 million goal, with 13,000 donors new to the orchestra or the Kimmel Center (Philadelphia Inquirer). David Cohen is now adding $10.5 million with his wife, Rhonda, calling arts organizations “a little under-appreciated” (Philadelphia Inquirer).
In July 1518 a woman named Frau Troffea began dancing in a Strasbourg street and didn’t stop; by late August as many as 400 people had joined her. City officials cleared the grain market, built a stage and hired musicians, then reversed course and banned dancing, a sequence the historian John Waller tells Popular Science did real harm.
All of the stories we collected are below.
- Executive Director, National Museum of Women in the Arts
Founded by collector and philanthropist Wilhelmina Cole Holladay, the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) holds a singular place in the cultural landscape as the world’s first institution solely dedicated to championing women through the arts. Located in Washington, DC, the museum opened its doors in 1987, bringing recognition to the achievements of women artists across all periods and nationalities by exhibiting, preserving, acquiring, and researching their work, and educating the public about their enduring contributions. Its mission is both focused and expansive: to address the persistent gender imbalance in the presentation of art by illuminating important women artists of the past while actively promoting the great women artists working today.
NMWA operates from the conviction that an art museum can be a force for social change: a place where women’s voices are heard and diverse stories are told through exhibitions and programs designed to inspire dynamic exchanges about art and ideas. Its core values, Champion, Open, and Fresh, shape everything from curatorial choices to community engagement, reflecting an organizational culture that prizes both advocacy and accessibility.
The museum is headquartered in an iconic Washington, DC building that recently underwent a sweeping $70 million renovation. With a staff of 102 (70 full-time and 32 part-time) and a FY27 operating budget of approximately $20.5 million, NMWA operates at meaningful institutional scale, supported by an endowment of approximately $76 million, with a $25 million Cornerstone Fund dedicated to the building. Approximately 60 percent of operating revenue is derived from contributed support, reflecting the museum’s deep reliance on philanthropic relationships.
NMWA’s collection spans the sixteenth century to the present, and its exhibitions and programs reach audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. The museum invests significantly in digital engagement and is actively exploring how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, can elevate its profile and deepen its reach.
The museum is approaching a significant milestone: its 40th anniversary in 2027. The planned retirement of longtime Director Susan Fisher Sterling, appointed in 2008 after joining the museum in 1988, opens a new chapter for an institution that has never been more prepared to pursue its founding vision at scale. In a moment when questions of representation and equity are reshaping the arts world, NMWA has been asking and acting on these questions for nearly four decades.
Learn more about NMWA at http://nmwa.org/.
The Opportunity
The National Museum of Women in the Arts seeks a bold, relationship-driven leader to serve as its next Executive Director at a pivotal moment in the institution’s history. As NMWA approaches its 40th anniversary and embarks on its next chapter, the Executive Director will serve as the museum’s chief executive and primary fundraiser, upholding the museum’s mission and securing the philanthropic partnerships necessary to sustain and expand its impact.
The Executive Director will provide the strategic vision and operational authority to position NMWA as an essential voice in national and global conversations about women, art, and culture. Leading a staff of 102 and overseeing a $20.5 million annual budget, this leader will drive programmatic excellence, promote digital innovation, and serve as the museum’s primary public ambassador, inspiring diverse audiences and elevating NMWA’s reputation across media, government, and civic platforms.
The Executive Director will partner closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure trustees are active advocates, connectors, and donors, and will leverage NMWA’s distinctive infrastructure of state and international committees to build new constituencies and deepen existing ones. They will personally cultivate and close major gifts, and build a culture of philanthropy across the institution, engaging individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government funders alike.
The ideal candidate brings proven executive leadership in a museum or comparable cultural institution, demonstrated success as a frontline fundraiser, and deep passion for gender equity and the arts. This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the most distinctive and mission-driven institutions in the American cultural landscape.
Candidate Profile
We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional skills and qualities, and personal attributes.
Top candidates will have at least ten years of success in senior leadership roles in a museum, cultural institution, or comparable organization. Deep passion for the arts, gender equity, and the mission of championing women artists globally. Advanced degree in art, art history, arts administration, or other relevant subject matter; our client is also open to candidates with equivalent professional experience in a nonprofit setting.
Strategic Vision and Mission Advancement
Our client seeks leaders with experience developing and executing a multi-year institutional strategic plan, with measurable outcomes and demonstrated board and staff buy-in. This executive will partner closely with the Board and team members to articulate a clear, differentiated organizational identity, successfully unifying internal and external stakeholders around a shared mission narrative. They should have the ability to develop and implement strategic plans to guide growth and development. Experience building high-profile partnerships and collaborations that elevate institutional visibility and deepen artist/community relationships.
Philanthropic Relationship Building and Leadership
Candidates should have exceptional relationship-building skills with the presence and credibility to engage and persuade major donors, board members, government officials, and media. Ideal candidates should be well-networked in relevant donor communities, with a personal track record of cultivating and closing six- and seven-figure gifts. Experience leading or playing a central role in a major capital or comprehensive campaign and an understanding of the long arc of arts philanthropy and donor relationships is desirable. Demonstrated ability to build a culture of philanthropy across an organization, engage volunteer networks as fundraising assets, and develop a sustainable pipeline. Success with personally cultivating and closing significant gifts, an understanding of the relational, non-transactional nature of arts philanthropy, and the credibility to lead significant capital campaign.
Board Partnership and Governance
Experience working in partnership with an engaged Board of Trustees and other key stakeholders. Prior success partnering effectively with complex boards and navigating governance dynamics with diplomacy while moving the institution forward. Track record of evolving a board toward higher engagement, clearer giving expectations, and stronger philanthropic participation. A trusted partner to board leadership across generations who understands and enforces the appropriate boundary between board oversight and staff operations.
Financial and Operational Leadership
Broad expertise in financial management for art museums and/or other relevant not-for-profit settings, with the ability to manage budgets, analyze financial data, and optimize resources for sustainable growth. We seek candidates who have served as effective stewards of complex nonprofit finances, including endowment management, and the discipline to reduce structural reliance on draw while growing earned and contributed revenue to achieve revenue diversification. Our client seeks a leader with a track record of implementing organizational accountability frameworks, including clear processes, defined roles and performance metrics, that translate strategy into execution. An executive who applies a data-driven approach to resource allocation and organizational design while promoting a positive organizational culture and enhancing staff morale.
Communications, Advocacy, and Innovation
Superior communication and public speaking skills, adept at storytelling, in order to serve as a passionate advocate and effective ambassador for the institution. A compelling, credible public voice, comfortable on national stages, in media, and in policy conversations; able to expand an institution’s relevance and presence. Track record of establishing or significantly improving internal communications infrastructure, ensuring staff alignment and engagement during periods of change. Experience defining and advancing a community and public relations agenda tied to an institutional mission and embracing innovative approaches to audience development. Comfort with digital technologies, participatory platforms, and engagement strategies, with an interest in the possibilities for integration of digital and AI tools to effectively interact, build relationships and expand audiences, and drive meaningful internal and external outcomes.
Team Leadership
History of inspiring and motivating a team, setting clear goals, and making informed decisions. A people-first leader known for warmth, approachability, and high emotional intelligence, who builds trust with mission-driven staff navigating organizational transitions. A collaborative leader who empowers senior leaders with clear authority and accountability while maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. Meaningful experience leading organizations through cultural or operational transformation with both decisiveness and compassion.
Comfort with Leading through Changing Times
Forward-looking orientation that honors institutional legacy while building the organization’s adaptive capacity and governance structures needed for long-term sustainability. Attuned to the evolving field for 21st-century museums. Experience leading an organization through sector-wide disruption, funding volatility, or significant leadership transition with steadiness and strategic clarity. Adaptability and creativity to work in ambiguous or changing conditions and with diverse individuals and groups.
Compensation and Benefits
The compensation range for this role is $400,000 – $450,000, commensurate with experience and accomplishments plus attractive benefits.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Naree W.S. Viner, Gerard Cattie, and Stephen Milbauer. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/23346. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
(To view the full profile, please download the PDF)
To apply, visit: https://www.dsgco.com/search/23346-national-museum-of-women-in-the-arts-executive-director/
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- The Deadly Dancing Plague Of 1518
“Five centuries later, the dancing plague of 1518 remains one of history’s strangest medical mysteries. Historical records confirm that a bizarre episode turned a medieval city” — Strasbourg — “into a very unwilling dance floor that summer, but exactly why it happened remains a matter of debate.” – Popular Science
- Chatbots May Be Bad Writers. But So Are Most Humans
After all, we’ve been producing particle board for a long time. As Orwell observed (in pre-chatbot 1946!), “prose consists less and less of words chosen for the sake of their meaning, and more and more of phrases tacked together like the sections of a prefabricated hen-house.” – The Walrus
- Jonathan Groff’s Next Broadway Project Will Be A Solo Show About A School Shooting
“The play, The Amish Project, will be Groff’s first nonmusical production on Broadway, and it’s strikingly personal for him: It’s a work of fiction inspired by a 2006 shooting at a one-room Amish schoolhouse in rural Pennsylvania, just a few minutes from Groff’s childhood home.” – The New York Times
- The Art Of Attention
“You can’t talk about aesthetics,” he wrote, “without talking about the principle of hope and the existence of evil.” Attention, for him, was a matter of life and death, or at least of their cultural equivalents, remembering and forgetting. – The New York Times
- Dealers Scramble To Get Work Out Of Art Basel Paris After Surprise Early Closing
Multiple dealers told ARTnews they’d received an email announcing the decision at around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. By then, many had already suspected Saturday’s opening might be canceled. The loss of Sunday came as more of a surprise. – ARTnews
- How One Donor Came To Give $10.5 Million To The Philadelphia Orchestra
David Cohen said that after his return, he “very quickly circled around arts and culture as the space where I thought I could make a real difference, a place where obviously Philadelphia has prominence and wonderful organizations, but where I still felt were a little under-appreciated.” – Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
- How “Star Trek” Was Saved By, Of All People, Lucille Ball
Most people who know Ball only through her crazy-redhead I Love Lucy character don’t realize that she was a savvy TV mogul, and it was her company, Desilu Productions, that saved Star Trek from oblivion after NBC cancelled it at the end of its third season in 1969. – The Hollywood Reporter
- Canadian News Orgs Sue Anthropic Over Copyright
The statement of claim says Anthropic breached the news media websites’ terms of service and circumvented technological protection measures they put in place to restrict copying of their content. – Canadian Press News
- Why Friction Is Necessary For Making Progress
The reality is that friction, despite seeming so antagonistic, is necessary and even productive. The force that resists motion has, since humans first struck a spark from a stone, been the very thing that propels us forward. – Aeon
- Legendary LA Recording Studio For Sale
The list of household names who have recorded at Conway Recording Studios spans generations and genres. Burt Bacharach, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder, U2, Guns N’ Roses, Daft Punk, Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar are just a few of the artists who have recorded there. – Los Angeles Times
- “Why Satire Is No Laughing Matter”: An Essay By Sacha Baron Cohen
“Satire doesn’t just needle politicians or regimes — it occasionally helps bring them down. … Historian Ben Lewis credits Soviet joke-telling with helping to topple communism, by making it impossible for even the system’s own enforcers to take it seriously. … ‘Every joke,’ George Orwell observed, ‘is a tiny revolution.’” – Time
- Bard College Investigating Explosive Epstein Email
Someone writing from the Bard president’s email address asks Mr. Epstein whether a young woman was “for me, or are you keeping her for yourself.” The contention over the email is the latest, and perhaps most intense, dispute over the former Bard president’s ties to Mr. Epstein. – The New York Times
- Inside Shanghai’s Striking New Opera House
“Our initial thought wasn’t about what the building should look like, but rather: How can an important cultural institution be integrated into everyday public life in one of the world’s most vibrant cities?” – Architectural Digest
- Might Live Nation Be Broken Up After Losing Court Battle?
Across the country, some 480 independent venues and 240 music festivals have shut since 2020, with 160 shuttering so far this year, according to the National Independent Venue Assn., a trade group for the industry. – Los Angeles Times
- Another Guy Who Didn’t Read His Release Form Threatens To Sue Sacha Baron Cohen
The chair of the El Paso (Texas) County Republican Party, Michael Aboud, says he intends to sue Baron Cohen over footage shown in the latter’s latest guerrilla mockumentary, Ali G: Who Iz I? Unwitting subjects in Baron Cohen’s films have sued several times in the past; none has ever won. – The Guardian
- How Politics Has Hollowed Out Scientific American, The Oldest Magazine In The US
“Interviews conducted this summer and fall with a over a dozen current and former Scientific American employees depict a magazine that, especially over the past two years, has struggled to protect its editorial independence in the face of sometimes overwhelming pressure from its corporate ownership.” – The Nation
- Financial Fraud Discovered At Luxembourg’s Main Concert Hall
“Luxembourg’s Philharmonie has uncovered fraudulent transactions within the organisation totalling €160,000 following internal inspections, the concert hall said on Monday. … The concert hall said it is cooperating ‘fully with the authorities to establish the facts and determine any potential liability’.” – Luxembourg Times
- Noah Adams, Longtime Host Of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” Dead At 84
“He guided listeners through major events like Ronald Reagan’s landslide electoral victories, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the September 11 terrorist attacks. But to the people who worked alongside him in the newsroom, Adams’s journalism shone through in the softer features he reported.” – NPR
- Man Arrested For Beheading Iwo Jima Memorial Statue At Quantico Marine Base
“Officers responding to a report of destruction of property at the Marine Corps Base Quantico around 10:31 p.m. saw a man ‘actively damaging the statue with a sledgehammer’ and detained him without incident, Prince William County police said.” – CNN
- Art Basel Paris Is Closing Early Because Of France’s Violent Demonstrations
The art fair had been schedule to run through the weekend, but organizers have decided to shut it down on Friday evening “in light of potential demonstrations across Paris this weekend, and in the interest of safeguarding our visitors.” – Artnet
- Actor Tom Skerritt Has Died At 93
“(He) embodied a solid, wry authority figure, whether as a flight instructor in Top Gun, a tough-but-fair sheriff on TV’s Picket Fences” — for which he won an Emmy in 1993 — “or the doomed captain of Alien.” – AP
- Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco seeks Director of Digital Experience
Organization
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF), comprised of the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, is the largest public art museum in San Francisco. FAMSF welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors annually and is among the most visited museums in the United States with the third largest membership base in the country. Highlighting over 5,000 years of global art history, the de Young Museum and Legion of Honor showcase world-class exhibitions across the Bay Area—from ancient masterpieces to modern contemporary works. Together, their collections and programming remain deeply rooted in San Francisco’s rich cultural heritage and civic pride.
FAMSF Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thomas P. Campbell leads an innovative program and strategic plan centered around art and community. The museums annually host a prolific and comprehensive lineup of exhibitions and educational programs. For the remainder of the 2026-27 season, visitors can experience a variety of exhibitions including Treasures of the Pharaohs which includes 130 works spanning 3,000 years of history; Azzedine Alaïa: Sculpting Fashion, the first US retrospective of one of fashion’s most celebrated couturiers; A Gallery of Their Own which features a variety of photography, print, and drawings from women artists exclusively; the first solo U.S. museum exhibition from painter Nengi Omuku; and Andrew Wyeth: Spectacular Freedom, featuring nearly 80 watercolor works, many of which have never been on view. These exhibitions, in addition to the plethora of art on display, offer visitors the opportunity to experience artistic perspectives, historical periods, and creative practices in many different forms.
The de Young Museum collections include the most comprehensive survey of American art in the American West, international textile arts and costumes, photography, and art of the Americas, Oceania, and Africa. In 2005, the museum’s expansion and new facilities by Herzog & de Meuron reframed the museum by engaging it with the surrounding park and creating a setting that explores the diversity and intersection of different cultures. The Legion of Honor, built in 1924, is situated on the headlands of Lands End overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. Its collections include The Thinker and other masterworks by August Rodin, European decorative arts and paintings, Ancient art, and one of the largest collections of prints and drawings in the country. The Penny and James Coulter Objects Conservation Center, the Sardegna Paintings Center, the George and Marie Hecksher Textiles Conservation Center, and the Paper Conservation Center support and complement the museums’ collections, providing preservation and scientific study that is both culturally sensitive and authentic.
FAMSF provides an expansive variety of community-centered public programs and educational opportunities for visitors, educators, and learners of all ages. FAMSF’s commitments to engage new and diverse audiences include Free Saturdays, a free general admission day for Bay Area residents; the annual de Youngsters Day Out; and concerts featuring the 1924 Legion of Honor Spreckels Organ. FAMSF encourages meaningful artistic experiences, uplifts educators, and collaborates with community groups, schools, and city organizations through a rich array of programs.
The Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums (COFAM) is a private 501(c)3 organization that raises funds for and manages most of the day-to-day operations of the museums. COFAM has a 47-member Board of Trustees led by Board Chair David Spencer, and Thomas P. Campbell serves as Director and CEO. FAMSF has an 11-member Board of Trustees led by President David Spencer.
Community
San Francisco is home to over 825,000 residents and one of the world’s most distinctive and innovative metropolitan cities. The San Francisco Bay Area is a popular destination for those seeking gorgeous landscapes, some of the world’s finest wines, waterfront towns, nightlife, and diverse cuisines, coupled with top-tier educational institutions, distinguished arts and culture organizations, and innovative workforce options. The nine-county Bay Area is home to approximately 7.8 million ethnically diverse residents; approximately three-fifths of the region’s residents are Latinx/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and African American. San Francisco is situated on the ancestral lands of the Ramaytush people, Arts and culture are central to the region’s identity. The Bay Area is home to major cultural institutions, internationally recognized festivals, and a strong ecosystem of artists, arts organizations, and music education institutions. Community engagement in the arts is deeply valued, supported by robust K–12 arts education and a thriving adult amateur music-making community.
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco’s largest public park, anchors the city’s cultural and recreational life, housing major museums, gardens, and gathering spaces. Together, these qualities make San Francisco and the Bay Area an inspiring place to live, work, and lead, particularly for those drawn to creativity, social impact, and community-centered leadership. The Bay Area is a global hub for cutting-edge technology and a major center for Climate Tech and Cleantech, home to hundreds of companies developing sustainable products and environmental solutions. The region features one of the densest concentrations of premier research universities and federal research laboratories in the nation, anchored by Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UCSF, and several national labs. San Francisco remains a global epicenter for AI, software, life sciences, and biotech, while continuing to serve as the financial services capital of the West Coast.
Sources: bayareaequityatlas.org; visitcalifornia.com; goldengatepark.com; census.gov; worldpopulationreview.com; sfchamber.com; culturedata.org
Position Summary
The Director of Digital Experience (DDE), reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, is responsible for spearheading the development, implementation, and evolution of integrated digital programs that enhance the visitor’s experience of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The DDE leads an overall team of eleven members and has six direct reports across a comprehensive range of digital initiatives supporting the museum. Through the leadership of all digital platforms, the DDE increases the public’s awareness of, and engagement with the museum’s brand, exhibitions, collection, educational content, and public programs, including support of the Museums’ earned and contributed revenue goals.
This role leads deployment of key initiatives across all digital channels, including website, social media, web apps, film, and exhibition content, aligned with the goals of the Marketing, Communications, Visitor Experience, Curatorial, Public Programs, Collections, Development, and other teams. The DDE is responsible for the strategic evolution of digital content, including digital storytelling, film, the museum visitor journey (Bloomberg Connects), deployment of digital exhibition features, and digital collections access and management. They play a key role in supporting the museum’s financial health by ensuring positive online user experiences, including earned and contributed revenue generated through digital enterprise. The DDE is also a partner in driving change and innovation, driving digital transformation initiatives across the organization, enabling the Museums to be more agile, efficient and financially sustainable.
The DDE is a key partner to museum leaders of the Museums’ digital enterprise systems, digital databases (including the Collection), and digital asset management systems. They work closely with the IT and Data Services team to align project management, data integration, testing, and reporting. The DDE develops and leads budgeting, resource allocation, quality control, and long-range planning for all digital initiatives. They work with Corporate Partners to find digital solutions for collaborations and special initiatives. Near-term large-scale digital initiatives include modernization and accessibility of the digital Collection assets, the modernization of e-mail, and the updating of the website to reflect the contemporary brand of the Museums and an improved visitor journey.
As a broad-thinking leader, the role manages a diverse portfolio of teams without requiring hyper-detailed expertise in every subject matter, focusing instead on integrated digital strategy, product scoping, development, launch, and risk management. The DDE provides supervision, mentorship, and performance management for direct reports, fostering accountability, clarity of roles, and strong leadership across teams. They cultivate and sustain a high-performing, service-oriented departmental culture grounded in collaboration, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.
Role and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Envisions, develops, and implements a comprehensive digital experience roadmap for the Museums that supports key institutional strategic priorities, especially those aimed at raising the institution’s profile and enhancing audience engagement with its collection and programming. Ensures that digital initiatives are fully integrated with the strategic-planning process, including leadership commitment and resource allocation.
- As a member of the leadership team, drives digital innovation, fostering a culture of iteration and experimentation, and championing the use of digital technology across the organization. Builds internal leadership alignment across the museum and attends and presents at Board of Trustee meetings as needed. Collaborates with the Development team to identify funding opportunities to support digital initiatives.
- Leads and coordinates digital product initiatives including website redesigns, the creation of new web features, management of the digital visitor guide platform (Bloomberg Connects), exhibition-enhancing digital experiences and mobile applications, in collaboration with stakeholders from across the institution, with the goal of enhancing overall visitor engagement. Sets digital project priorities and timelines, identifying resources, outlining deliverables, and communicating expectations internally.
- Based on the FAMSF mission, brand identity, audience goals, and overall content strategy, generates and executes a dynamic digital content strategy for the Museums, crafting engaging narratives and digital engagement opportunities around the Museums’ collections, exhibitions, and programs. Oversees the successful execution of FAMSF’s digital content strategy, including web content, social media campaigns, video production, and interactive experiences, with a focus on Museum storytelling for a general audience.
- Embrace other Strategic Leadership responsibilities as needed.
Digital Operations & Technical Leadership
- Oversees the management of key digital technology databases, including the collections information database (TMS, The Museum System) and digital asset management system (Media Studio), to ensure data integrity and smooth integration with FAMSF’s website and other digital platforms. Responsible for delivering projects on time and on budget and reporting on necessary grant compliance.
- Acts as the primary point of contact for large-scale web and interactive projects with outside agencies and internal teams. Creates project proposals and timelines, writes RFPs, identifies agencies, vendors, and tech partners for the museums. Oversees production timelines, budgets, creative and technical requirements for projects ranging from special microsites to larger web refreshes and video initiatives.
- Oversees digital user research, A/B testing, and data analysis, providing relevant data-driven recommendations to iterate on digital product and content offering. Supervises processes for SEO/GEO management, Google Analytics, and social media analytics tracking. Reports on key performance indicators for each department. Tracks key metrics and optimizes results throughout the year.
- Consults and collaborates with colleagues on the IT and Data Services teams on hosting services for the Museums’ web applications, and partners across the Marketing division to optimize cross-departmental usage and seamless integration of digital tools and technology: CRM (Salesforce), ticketing systems (Ticketure), Image rights and collection management (TMS, Media Studio).
- Embrace other Digital Operations & Technical Leadership responsibilities as needed.
Departmental Leadership, Financial Management & Digital Innovation
- Ensures all public-facing digital products and platforms adhere to modern web accessibility standards, inclusive design practices, and scalable framework models.
- Directly manages and supervises a team including: Web Product team, Web team, Digital Media Production team, Social Media team, Film team, Collections Information Services team, Digital Asset Management team, and others, as needed. Promotes cross-functional communication, shared problem-solving, and transparency across departments to strengthen institutional effectiveness.
- Manages the cohesive department budget and tracks each subcategory budget to ensure initiatives are delivered on time and within budget. Collaborates with Development and corporate giving on grant reporting and solicitation.
- Keeps abreast of technology trends, early adoption opportunities, and best practices (including pilot use-cases for emerging technologies like AI tools). Identifies tech firms and start-ups for the museums to partner with in order to execute the digital roadmap. On behalf of FAMSF, participates and presents at national and international conferences and coverings around art, tech, digital engagement, and immersive and interactive experiences to build the institution’s reputation as a leader in the field.
- Embrace other Departmental Leadership, Financial Management & Digital Innovation responsibilities as needed.
Soft Skills
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
- Ability to communicate complex development or technical issues/needs to leadership and other decision makers.
- Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects, achieve organizational goals, maintain commitments, and meet strict deadlines in a highly demanding and fast-paced work environment.
- A high level of initiative, problem-solving skills, and project management capabilities.
- Ability to analyze and integrate information from relevant sources, utilize data analytics, and incorporate changes or make appropriate decisions.
- Ability to respond to changing circumstances and priorities in a focused and timely manner, and to proactively address issues as they arise.
- Experience and proven ability to diplomatically build consensus, navigate diverse stakeholder priorities, and work effectively within a cross-departmental team.
- Proven track record of building and managing a large team, highly diverse portfolio of direct reports with a demonstrated ability to coach, inspire, and uplift a multi-disciplinary team without needing to be a niche subject-matter expert in every discipline.
- Strong communicator with proven success advocating for teams and building support across an organization.
Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university or equivalent experience is required, alongside seven years of experience leading digital product and content initiative teams in a mission-driven environment. Experience developing and implementing long-term digital strategies for public-facing brands or institutions, including comprehensive multi-year digital plans aligned with institutional strategic goals, supported by detailed plans to guide cross-departmental coordination, resource allocation, and timely execution, is essential. Demonstrated experience acting as a digital product leader, taking digital tools from concept to launch, which may include: experience with emerging technologies and developing in-person tech activations that enhance a physical space; experience working with teams or developing digital products like websites, mobile apps, or interactive apps or screens (AR/VR, etc.); experience with and focus on storytelling through media for a general audience, whether that is through video, interactive experiences, social campaigns, etc.; experience with social media campaigns and strategy, with a working understanding of how digital platforms layer into traditional marketing media mixes; working understanding of the social media landscape and how different platforms interact/overlap; experience working with agencies to produce digital products and experiences.
Experience in museums or mission-driven institutions with matrixed leadership is a plus, as well as experience with TMS, Media Studio, Salesforce, Ticketure, enterprise email marketing platforms, and other technology platforms.
Compensation and Benefits
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco provides a competitive and equitable compensation package. The range for the annual salary is estimated between $140,000 and $160,000. Employee benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays; health, long-term disability, and life insurance; a voluntary 401(k) retirement plan; and relocation assistance. The DEE is required to be onsite four days a week.
Applications and Inquiries
To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/fine-arts-museums-of-san-francisco-seeks-director-of-digital-experience/
The Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums (COFAM) is the privately funded nonprofit corporation which supports the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, a department of the City and County of San Francisco. COFAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all phases of employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws.
- Director of Development – Ballet Hispánico via TOC Arts Partners
About the Opportunity
Ballet Hispánico, the nation’s leading American Latino dance company, seeks a new Director of Development. This is an exciting opportunity for a fundraising leader who has an abundant passion for dance and the performing arts, a deep appreciation of Latine culture, and an inherent understanding of philanthropy to inspire a wide range of individuals in their commitment to the organization. While the Director of Development will be a capable team leader and project manager, they will also be adept in communicating the value and impact of an organization as unique as this one.
Based in New York City, Ballet Hispánico maintains a facility on the upper west side of Manhattan that encompasses a School of Dance, offering more than 100 classes each week, and rehearsal studios, utilized by the Company and a wide variety of artists through a rental program. At the same time, the Company captivates audiences across the U.S. and beyond, through its extensive touring calendar, which includes a season at New York’s City Center each spring. Through its Community Arts Partnerships, Ballet Hispánico reaches close to 30,000 community members via 200+ educational programs and offering 1,100 free tickets to New York City performances each year. The incoming Director of Development will have the opportunity to celebrate and harness the power of these accomplishments and Ballet Hispánico’s local and global impact. Gaining a department of three under them, and a strong collaborative partnership with the executive team, this leader will arrive eager and energized to advance institutional and individual philanthropic relationships.
About Ballet Hispánico
Ballet Hispánico is the largest cultural institution of its kind in the United States. For over five decades, it has been a beacon of artistic excellence, celebrated for its bold repertory and exceptional training programs. The Company has commissioned over 100 original works, performed on the world’s most prestigious stages, and inspired generations through performances, education, and community engagement. Recognized as one of America’s Cultural Treasures by the Ford Foundation, Ballet Hispánico continues to redefine what it means to be an American dance company.
At the helm is Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, a former Ballet Hispánico dancer and acclaimed choreographer who assumed leadership in 2009. Under his dynamic guidance, the Company has entered a new era—broadening its artistic scope, deepening its repertory, and elevating its distinctive movement language. Vilaro carries forward the founding vision of Tina Ramirez, who launched Ballet Hispánico in 1970 to celebrate the beauty of Latino cultures through dance. Today, Ballet Hispánico stands not only as a cultural institution, but as a movement—pushing the boundaries of performance while honoring the traditions that shaped its legacy.
For more information about Ballet Hispánico, please visit http://www.ballethispanico.org.
Job Description
The Director of Development will direct and expand all aspects of Ballet Hispánico’s development activities, including donor cultivation and stewardship, annual and special gift campaigns, the annual gala, and institutional giving from foundations, corporations, and government agencies. They will be an organized communicator and manager, comfortable partnering with leadership to move strategies forward, and knowledgeable about working with boards. Individual Giving and major gift solicitations will be central to their responsibilities and skill set. However, overseeing institutional giving processes, furthering event strategy, and building an annual development plan will be integral components of this position. While they will have the chance to honor the historic legacy of this important company, they will also need to be forward-thinking, curious about alternate methods to attract a wider circle of donors and engage the community in meaningful ways. They will oversee an Associate Director of Institutional Advancement, Associate Director of Individual Giving, a Special Events & Development Associate, and part-time major gifts officer.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy and Leadership
- Partner with the Chief Managing Director and the Artistic Director and CEO in their vision for the future of Ballet Hispánico, to be another resonant advocate for the organization’s mission
- Develop a keen understanding of the organization, its programs, priorities, and strategic direction
- Construct a comprehensive and compelling development plan that promotes a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization, engages a variety of team members and stakeholders, and ultimately expands support for the organization
- Participate as an active contributing member of the Senior Management Team and steward of the organization’s resources
- Identify opportunities to leverage Ballet Hispánico’s uniqueness and expand its traditional base of philanthropic support, employing the entire range of development tactics and strategies
- Serve as a visible representative for Ballet Hispánico at performances, showings, industry events, and other gatherings
Fundraising
- Lead strategic planning for the 60th Anniversary Campaign in 2030 and work closely with the Chair of the Board of Directors, Chief Managing Director, and Artistic Director and CEO to cultivate relationships with and secure gifts from prospects and donors
- Develop and implement strategies that maximize productive relationships with current and new donors and grow all sources of funding in support of Ballet Hispánico’s ambitious vision for the future
- Build the individual giving program, cultivating relationships with existing donors as well as identifying, cultivating, and soliciting new individual donors
- Maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects, identifying, managing, cultivating, and soliciting gifts
- Develop strategies to expand the planned giving program
- Elevate institutional funding relationships, overseeing certain funding communications, meeting with funders, and identifying new and prospective private foundations and public funders
- Cultivate and secure corporate sponsorships for the organization’s activities, special events, and program development initiatives
- Oversee the planning and execution of special events, including the annual gala, the New York City performance season, and smaller events throughout the year
- Remain informed about trends in philanthropy and ensure best practices are adopted by the organization
Board Relations
- Partner with the Artistic Director and CEO, Chief Managing Director, and Chair of the Board of Directors on board development, while maintaining positive relationships with the board that further philanthropic partnerships
- Collaborate with Ballet Hispánico’s various board committees to maximize their involvement with the organization and its development programs
Management and Operations
- Assess, support, and motivate the development team, providing inspiration and self-confidence, encouraging professional development, and serving as a mentor
- Create short- and long-range plans and set clear, ambitious, but attainable performance goals for the development team and individual team members
- Develop and oversee the development budget, track revenue, and manage expenses
- Ensure that software systems are in place and optimized for donor and prospect tracking, research, reports, acknowledgement, and stewardship
Qualifications
- Progressively responsible leadership experience in non-profit institutions, preferably in the performing or visual arts
- Confidence in working collaboratively with passionate, driven, and creative senior leaders
- A track record of setting goals and achieving them, while driving philanthropic growth
- Strategic planning experience including an ability to craft, drive, and implement philanthropic strategic plans, while obtaining consensus from multiple stakeholders
- Effective management skills with an ability to lead, motivate, and mentor a team focused on ambitious fundraising goals
- Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to influence, inspire, and build productive relationship with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
- Experience as a successful frontline fundraiser, including comfort and confidence working with major donors and high-net-worth individuals
- Knowledge of working with boards and an ability to leverage the time, talent, and resources of board members
- Strong listening, verbal, written, and public speaking skills and an ability to articulate Ballet Hispánico’s mission across platforms to diverse audiences
- Fluency with technology and an ability to analyze trends and adapt as needed
- Comfortable working within a fast-paced environment, while effectively managing multiple complex projects
- Familiarity with the metropolitan New York City philanthropic and business communities
- An ability to communicate in Spanish is preferred, but not required
Compensation
The salary for this position is $150,000-170,000. Employees have access to generous health insurance plans, a 403b plan with an employer match, a flexible spending account, and substantial paid time off.
This position is in New York City. As a community connector, Ballet Hispánico is an organization built on access to the arts with person-to-person interactions in its facilities at 167 West 89th Street. This Upper West Side location serves as Ballet Hispánico’s cultural, historic, and institutional home. All Ballet Hispánico staff members have roles requiring in-person attendance on Monday through Thursday. Employees may work remotely on Fridays as part of the organization’s hybrid work policy.
Ballet Hispánico is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
Application Instructions
The Director of Development search is being conducted on behalf of Ballet Hispánico by TOC Arts Partners, a national consultancy aligning strategies, structures, and leadership toward a thriving cultural sector. The search is being led by Senior Strategist Brenna Thomas, in consultation with and support from the TOC Arts Partners search team.
To apply, visit the online application and submit your materials. Your cover letter should include any training or experience relevant to the job profile that you would like to highlight, why you consider yourself a good fit for this opportunity, and anything else you’d like us to know about your qualifications that may not be present in your resume.
For general questions or nominations of prospective candidates, please contact searchteam@tocartspartners.com. We kindly request no phone calls.
Specific questions about the position may be directed to:
Brenna Thomas
Senior Strategist
brenna@tocartspartners.comApplications will be accepted until this role is filled. We encourage you to apply by August 10, 2026, for priority consideration. Interviews may begin at any time, and we encourage you to apply as early as possible for best consideration. Please note that applying before the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview, and all applicants will receive a response regarding the consideration and status of their candidacy.
Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that cis men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you’re returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.
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