Executive Director – NXTHVN

Executive Director
Position Profile

The Organization

NXTHVN was founded in 2018 by acclaimed artist Titus Kaphar and impact investor Jason Price. NXTHVN stands as a groundbreaking institution that uniquely combines the best of arts and entrepreneurship. Through access, education, programming, and impact investing, NXTHVN launches the careers of artists and curators while simultaneously strengthening the livelihood of its local community. The organization operates with a $1.5 million annual budget and is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors.

The Mission

Create groundbreaking educational and professional opportunities; and deliver resources, knowledge, and capital to underrepresented professional artists, curators, and members of the surrounding Dixwell community.

The Opportunity

The Executive Director (ED) will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for NXTHVN, ensuring a strong and sustainable business model to fulfill its mission and expand its impact. The ED will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization, including fundraising, financial management, strategic planning, community engagement, and organizational development.

NXTHVN is in a critical stage of development, and the Executive Director will be responsible for ensuring the organization is fiscally and administratively sound by aligning operations, communications, programs, partnerships, and development efforts with the mission, Board policies, and community needs. The ED will serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for NXTHVN, representing the organization to donors, partners, community members, business leaders, and the broader arts and cultural sector.

The ideal Executive Director must effectively balance internal organizational requirements with external relationship building. The ED should also be an outstanding facilitator, collaborator, and communicator who can gain the trust and confidence of founders, staff, Board members, program participants, partners (both existing and potential), funders, and other stakeholders.

The Programs and their Impact

Fellowship Program

NXTHVN’s cornerstone initiative is its transformative 10-month Fellowship Program, which has gained national recognition for its effectiveness in accelerating the careers of emerging and underrepresented artists and curators. The intensive, cohort-based program provides:
• Professional studio spaces and housing accommodations
• Mentorship from established industry professionals
• Exhibition opportunities in NXTHVN’s gallery
• Professional development workshops and networking events
• Financial support through stipends
NXTHVN’s Fellows have achieved extraordinary career success having secured representation at major galleries, presented work at international exhibitions, and received significant grants, awards, and meaningful industry recognition. The program’s alumni network continues to grow, creating a powerful community of arts professionals who support each other’s career advancement.

High School Apprenticeship Program

The organization’s paid apprenticeship program for local teens has become a model for arts education and youth development. This program:
• Connects Dixwell neighborhood teens with NXTHVN Fellows for direct mentorship
• Provides one-to-one hands-on training in artistic techniques and professional practices
• Offers stipends that make arts participation economically accessible
• Builds pathways to higher education and careers in the arts
• Develops transferable skills in communication, critical thinking, and collaboration
The apprenticeship program has successfully engaged dozens of local youth, many of whom have pursued arts education at the collegiate level and remained connected to NXTHVN as they developed their careers.

Exhibition Program

NXTHVN produces four professional exhibitions annually, with three hosted at its Dixwell gallery. These exhibitions:
• Showcase the work of current Fellows alongside established artists
• Provide curatorial opportunities for emerging professionals
• Engage the local community through opening events and educational programming
• Attract visitors from throughout the region, bringing attention to the Dixwell neighborhood
• Generate critical discourse around contemporary art practices
The exhibition program has received coverage in major arts publications and helped position NXTHVN as an important voice in the contemporary art landscape.

Local Strategic Initiatives

Through its strategic initiatives, NXTHVN nurtures cultural and economic impact in the Dixwell neighborhood by:
• Supporting entrepreneurial ventures that benefit the local economy
• Providing event space and resources for community-focused businesses
• Connecting entrepreneurs with mentorship and investment opportunities
• Creating sustainable economic development in a historically underserved area

The Community

The Dixwell neighborhood of New Haven stands as one of the oldest African American communities in New England, with a rich heritage dating back to the mid-19th century. During its heyday from the 1940s-1960s, Dixwell Avenue was known as “Connecticut’s Harlem,” featuring renowned jazz clubs, Black-owned businesses, churches, and cultural institutions. The neighborhood has strong connections to the civil rights movement and is home to Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ, founded in 1820, which stands as the oldest African American Congregational Church in the world.

Today, Dixwell represents a community in transition, balancing respect for its cultural heritage with embracing new opportunities for growth. Recent revitalization efforts, including the restoration of the historic “Q” House, have reinvigorated community spaces. NXTHVN’s presence in Dixwell creates a bridge between the neighborhood’s storied past and its promising future by investing in arts, education, and community development as a catalyst for new creative energy to honor and revitalize local history.

For the Executive Director of NXTHVN, understanding and engaging with Dixwell’s unique history, current dynamics, and aspirations will be essential to effectively fulfilling the organization’s mission of strengthening this distinctive community through arts and entrepreneurship.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision

The ED will lead the development and implementation of strategic plans and initiatives, ensuring alignment between programs, operations, and organizational mission. A key aspect of this role involves fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and continuous improvement throughout the organization. The ED will also build and maintain strategic partnerships that advance the organization’s goals and enhance its impact in the arts community and beyond.
Financial Management and Fundraising

The Executive Director will oversee the organization’s financial health, including budget development, financial planning, and fiscal management. The ED will steward NXTHVN’s strong, existing institutional and individual funder relationships and cultivate new relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies to secure the resources needed to sustain and grow the organization. Developing and implementing strategies to diversify and expand revenue streams will be essential to ensuring NXTHVN’s long-term sustainability. The ED will ensure compliance with all financial reporting requirements and best practices, working with the Board of Directors to develop and implement sound financial policies and procedures, including development of clearly articulated key performance indicators (KPIs).

Community Engagement and External Relations

As the primary spokesperson and ambassador for NXTHVN, the Executive Director will build and maintain strong relationships with the Dixwell community and other stakeholders. The ED will represent the organization at community events, conferences, and other forums, articulating NXTHVN’s mission, values, and impact. Developing and maintaining partnerships with other arts organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and community groups will be crucial to expanding NXTHVN’s reach. The ED will oversee communications and marketing efforts to raise NXTHVN’s profile locally and nationally, ensuring consistent messaging that effectively communicates the organization’s unique value proposition.

Operational and Administrative Leadership

The Executive Director will oversee the day-to-day operations of the 40,000-square-foot creative campus and adjacent fellows’ housing, ensuring these facilities support NXTHVN’s programmatic goals and provide an inspiring environment for artists, curators, and community members. The ED will develop and implement policies, systems, and procedures to ensure efficient and effective operations across all aspects of the organization. This includes recruiting, supervising, and evaluating staff, providing opportunities for professional development and growth to build a high-performing team. The ED will foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative organizational culture that reflects NXTHVN’s values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements will also be an important aspect of this role.

Programmatic Leadership

Working closely with the Director of Programs and Exhibitions, the Executive Director will oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of all programs. The ED will ensure programs align with NXTHVN’s mission and meet the needs of artists, curators, and the community. This includes identifying opportunities to enhance existing programs and develop new initiatives that further NXTHVN’s mission. The ED must stay informed about trends and best practices in the arts, entrepreneurship, and community development fields to ensure NXTHVN remains at the forefront of innovation in these areas.

Board Relations

The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors to advance the organization’s mission and goals, providing regular reports and updates on organizational activities, finances, and strategic initiatives. The ED will support Board development and engagement, helping to build a strong governance structure that enhances NXTHVN’s effectiveness and sustainability. The ED will be responsible for implementing Board policies and decisions, ensuring clear communication between the Board and staff, and leveraging Board members’ expertise and networks to benefit the organization.

First-Year Priorities
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of NXTHVN’s history, mission, values, culture, programs, and community impact
• Strengthen the organization’s financial position by enhancing existing revenue streams, and diversifying revenue streams through expanded fundraising initiatives
• Create a comprehensive business development and fundraising plan that includes expanding the pipeline, stewardship for existing donors, and broadening reach in key fundraising verticals
• Build strong relationships with staff, Board members, fellows, program participants, donors, community partners, and other key stakeholders
• Comprehensive management of the facility’s balance sheet, including debt service obligations, ensuring long-term financial stability while maintaining programs and community access
• Conduct a thorough assessment of organizational strengths, challenges, and opportunities
• Lead the development and implementation of a strategic plan to guide the organization’s impact, community initiatives, operations, and overall vision
• Enhance operational systems and processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness

Leadership Attributes
• Demonstrates genuine passion for NXTHVN’s mission and believes deeply in art’s transformative power
• Embodies the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in all interactions
• A commitment to cultivating belonging for people of all backgrounds
• A willingness and ability to work weekends and to travel as required
• Employs a collaborative leadership approach that empowers staff and partners
• Appreciates and champions the vital role of arts in community development
• An emphasis on fundraising, preferably in an arts, nonprofit, or educational institution, with success in donor identification, cultivation, and solicitation among a variety of donor communities
• Embraces a hands-on leadership style, willing to tackle challenges at all levels
• Entrepreneurial mindset
• Brings infectious energy, enthusiasm, and resilience to guide NXTHVN through its next growth phase

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred
• Minimum 10 years of increasing responsibility at a senior level of organizational leadership required, including management of staff
• Demonstrated success in nonprofit management, preferably arts, cultural, or community-based organizations
• Fluency in nonprofit finance
• Proven track record of successful fundraising and donor cultivation
• Experience overseeing capital projects and physical facilities
• Demonstrated success aligning resources with strategic goals in an organization known to deliver innovative artistic and educational programs

Compensation

The salary for this position is $175,000-$200,000 annually. NXTHVN provides comprehensive benefits, including health/dental insurance (employee contributory), and PTO and holidays in addition to a supportive and dynamic work environment.

NXTHVN is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership, parental status, military status, or any other non-merit factor.

Application Instructions

The Executive Director search is being conducted on behalf of NXTHVN by Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, a New York-based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries. The search is being led by VP, Organizational Strategy Edie Demas, in consultation with President Tom O’Connor and with support from the TOCG search team.

To apply, visit the online application (https://www.tomocgroup.com/jobs-listing/nxthvn-executive-director) 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.

Applications will be accepted until this role is filled. We encourage you to apply by May 30, 2025, 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. No phone calls, please.

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.