December 2024:
Big Apple Performing Arts and the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus announce, with regret and appreciation, the departure of our Executive Director, John Carrion, effective January 1. The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus is a founding member of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA), and John has accepted the position of GALA’s Executive Director. We thank John for his three years of service to NYCGMC, and we look forward to working with him in his new role.
We are now seeking highly qualified applicants to join us as our full time Executive Director, with an expected start date in early 2025.
Executive Director
Role Details
Big Apple Performing Arts (BAPA) is a choral non-profit corporation that includes the world renowned New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, its select ensemble Tonewall, and, in coordination with the LGBT Community Center, the Youth Pride Chorus. We’re powered by the voices of our incredible and diverse singing membership– dedicated volunteers whose minimum commitment is three hours of rehearsal per week. Many of our members go well beyond this minimum: they’re building our A-tier social media presence, writing our grants, and singing for communities in all five boroughs. The chorus is presently full and its membership stable, with a handful of openings for auditions each season.
Our ideal candidate is a visible leader, networker, and ambassador for BAPA in the LGBTQ+ and performing arts communities– within New York and beyond. He, she, or they supervise all administrative aspects of the organization, including fund development, community outreach, marketing and public relations, finance and accounting, staff and volunteer management, and board governance.
The Executive Director works closely with the Artistic Director, who curates and supervises all of our artistic programs. Together in partnership, they lead the organization day to day, while continuously defining, achieving, and advancing their shared vision. They both report directly to the BAPA Board of Directors.
Responsibilities
● Fund Development - Lead and improve our fundraising programs, including annual events, individual giving, grants, and fundraising drives and appeals.
● Community Outreach - Be a visible leader for us in New York City and beyond. Enthusiastically welcome people from all walks of life and backgrounds into our community, and connect them with our work.
● Relationship Management - Cultivate relationships with LGBTQ+ and performing nonprofits, community members, foundations, elected officials, alumni, and other people and groups that might donate to us or engage us for performances. Maintain positive relationships with venues, vendors, partners, and the government.
● Marketing and Public Relations - Advance our brand, events, and performances in earned and paid media.
● Finance and Accounting - Manage our finances, develop an annual budget, maintain our accounts in good order, oversee external accountants and auditors, and make regular reports on our financial health to the Board.
● Staff and Volunteer Management - Ensure that we are well structured, with competent staff and volunteers. Recruit staff and provide them with meaningful opportunities for growth. Identify and develop volunteer talent.
● Board Governance - Recruit and retain a Board of directors that reflects the diversities and strengths of the communities we serve. Ensure that our Board is aware of its customary and legal responsibilities, weighs in on the most critical oversight and governance issues, and gives the staff autonomy in operations.
Required Qualifications
● A bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management or another related field.
● At minimum, three years of experience in nonprofit management and fund development.
● Excellent interpersonal communicator, with an ability to build rapport quickly.
● A champion of diversity, who respects people from all backgrounds, and who can continue to improve our inclusive culture.
● Ability and desire to network as a brand ambassador for the chorus.
● Excellent organizational and time management skills, including ability to create
project plans and deadlines, and lead execution with accountability.
● A solid understanding of non-profit financial management, and ability to keep the organization in good financial health.
● Ability to maintain a schedule that’s flexible on time and location. The job sometimes includes evening and weekend work, and is a mix of in-office, on-site, and remote.
● Ability to steward the board of directors, participate in board recruitment and retention, and help set the board’s agenda.
Preferred Qualifications
● A master’s degree in nonprofit management or a related field.
● Previous experience in an Executive Director role.
● Previous experience working with artists or with performing arts organizations.
● Experience building and refining fund development programs in New York City.
● Experience with grant writing.
Compensation and Benefits
The compensation for this position is between $125,000 and $150,000 per year, depending on experience. We also offer a retirement plan, and medical and dental benefits.
How to Apply
Kindly send your resume and/or letter of interest to recruitment@bapany.org. NYCGMC supports equal opportunity. We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or employment status in any of our activities or operations.
Download this job application as a PDF download at this link here.
ABOUT BIG APPLE PERFORMING ARTS (BAPA)
Big Apple Performing Arts (BAPA) is the home of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus (NYCGMC), the Youth Pride Chorus (YPC), and the Tonewall a cappella ensemble. Established in 1980, the NYCGMC is one of the first LGBTQ+ choirs and is a first-class, world-renowned New York institution and a pioneering voice for the LGBTQ+ community. It is comprised of nearly 300 talented volunteer singers of various ages, backgrounds, and experiences across a spectrum of genders, gender identities, sexual orientations,. NYCGMC has performed at a variety of settings, including concerts, festivals, conferences, weddings, memorial services, parties, fundraisers, as well as community, special, private, and corporate events. It has also made several appearances in Broadway events and on national television programs. In June 2022, the NYCGMC appeared on the 75th Annual Tony Awards.
The Youth Pride Chorus, established in 2003, is an LGBTQ+ affirming youth ensemble (ages 13-21) in collaboration with the NYC LGBTQ Center. Tonewall, established 2016, is the award-winning a cappella ensemble of the NYCGMC. Together, they are the performing groups of BAPA that affirm musical excellence, LGBTQ+ advocacy, acceptance, community, and belonging.
As an evolving organization, we are committed to positive systemic change that creates a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all staff and members. As a result of this, NYCGMC is looking for strong candidates who can weave DEI+B into their daily work, programming, production, music arrangements, and/or other necessary areas. We are a small but committed team who are passionate about music and its power to impact people of all ages and backgrounds.
BAPA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationality, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, BAPA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.