THE OPPORTUNITY
For more than 40 years, the
Wausau Conservatory of Music (WCM) has provided exceptional music education
and
performance opportunities to students and families throughout Central
Wisconsin. We are now seeking an experienced, collaborative, and
forward-thinking Executive Director to lead the Conservatory into its next
chapter.
The Executive Director serves as
the chief
executive officer of the Wausau Conservatory of Music and works in
partnership with the Board of Directors, faculty, and staff to advance
the
organization's mission and ensure its long-term success.
This is an opportunity for a
leader who believes deeply in the value of
music education and enjoys both the big-picture
work of moving an organization forward and the day-to-day work of making that
vision happen.
The next Executive Director will build upon WCM's strong history
while helping the organization continue to grow, evolve, and respond to the
needs of its students and community.
ABOUT THE WAUSAU CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
Our mission is to provide
exceptional
music education and performances that enrich and improve the
musical life of our students and our communities.
Founded in
1981, the Wausau
Conservatory of Music is a non-profit community music school serving children
and adults throughout Central Wisconsin.
WCM offers traditional and Suzuki
instruction, individual lessons in more than 15 instruments, as well as early
childhood classes,
ensembles, summer camps, music appreciation, and community
programming. The majority of students are K-12 in age. One in four students
receives tuition assistance.
Our faculty includes more than 20
artist educators who are active throughout Wisconsin. WCM's facility,
which is
owned by the organization, provides teaching, rehearsal, and performance spaces including the Caroline Mark Recital
Hall -
and serves as a gathering place for music education and performance in our community.
Our annual budget of $750,000 is
funded
by tuition, fundraising, grants, and a strong endowment.
For further information visit: https://wausauconservatory.org/
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for
a hands-on leader
who can combine strong organizational leadership with a genuine commitment to
music education.
The successful
candidate will be
someone who can build relationships, lead people well, think strategically,
manage the practical realities of a small
nonprofit organization, and represent
the Conservatory enthusiastically within the community.
Important experience and
abilities
include:
experience in a nonprofit, arts, educational, business, or related organization Strong
organizational and
personnel
leadership skills Experience
with fundraising, donor development, grants, or other forms of fund development
Financial
management
experience, including budgeting and financial reporting Ability to
work effectively with a Board of Directors Strong
communication and
relationship-building skills Experience
developing community partnerships and representing an organization publicly
Ability to
lead change
while also recognizing and preserving what an organization does
well Commitment
to high-quality, accessible
music education A strong
understanding and appreciation of, or meaningful experience with music, music
education, or the performing arts
Demonstrated
integrity,
initiative, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style
A degree in arts administration,
nonprofit management, business, music
or music education, or a related field,
is required. A master's degree is preferred. Relevant
professional and
leadership experience will be
strongly considered.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Working in partnership with the
Board of Directors as well as working closely
with a staff of three and WCM's
faculty, the Executive Director provides strategic and
day-to-day leadership
for the Conservatory, The
Executive Director is responsible for ensuring the
organization is financially healthy,
well-managed, mission-focused, and
positioned to
serve students successfully for the long term. Key areas of
leadership include
organizational operations, staff and faculty support,
financial management, fundraising and development, enrollment and programming,
community partnerships, and Board collaboration.
OTHER INFORMATION
This is a full-time, 12-month,
exempt position
based primarily on-site at the Wausau Conservatory of
Music.
The position includes flexibility for occasional work-from-home administrative
days as organizational needs allow, along with PTO,
retirement, and other
employee benefits.
Salary Range: Commensurate with
experience.
Some evening and weekend
availability will be required for performances, events, meetings, and other
Conservatory
activities.
TO APPLY
Interested candidates should
submit:
describing their interest in the position and
relevant qualifications A current
resume
Contact
information for three professional references (references will not be contacted
without the applicant's knowledge)
Application
materials should be
submitted in PDF format to: employment@wausauconservatory.org
Application deadline: September
30,
2026
Applications will be reviewed
beginning in early October. Finalists should anticipate interviews in November.
A successful
background check will be required.
The successful candidate will begin
on a mutually agreed-upon date.
The Wausau
Conservatory of Music is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
ABOUT WAUSAU
Wausau offers affordable housing
and
short commutes; is a state-level all-season recreation hub (skiing,
snowshoeing, bike and walking trails, boating, trails, parks, the
Ironbull
Summer Triathlon and the Wausau Winter Triathlon); has an accessible riverfront
and a vibrant arts and culture scene (Grand
Theatre, Conservatory, Ballet
School, Woodson Art Museum, Center for the Visual Arts, Arts Coalition, Pro
Musica and Wausau Lyric Choirs,
Central
Wisconsin Orchestra, Wausau Community Theatre, River & Woods Theatre
Company, Central Wisconsin Children's Theatre); and has a busy
community events
calendar (Farmers Market, Festival of the Arts, Concerts on the Square, Blues
Fest, ChalkFest, Hmong Festival), and more.
In addition, Wausau is home to
excellent schools and is served by two large hospital systems. For more
information, visit: https://www.visitwausau.com
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