Chief Impact Officer

Chief Impact Officer
Reports to: Executive Director
Position Type: Exempt, Full-Time, On-site or Hybrid (not remote)

About the New England Foundation for the Arts
The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) is a 501©3 social impact organization that builds, sustains, and fights for arts and culture through grantmaking, partnerships, and advocacy in New England, the nation, and beyond.

As an organization, NEFA believes the freedoms to create, access, express, and share arts and culture are human rights and essential to a just society and thriving communities. As an employer, they are dedicated to dismantling the systemic inequities, barriers, and actions that have excluded individuals and communities from professional opportunities.

NEFA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is invested in creating an equitable and inclusive working environment and organizational culture. They are committed to hiring individuals who share and support their values, and who reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. NEFA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other classes or characteristics protected by law.

About the Position
The Chief Impact Officer (CIO) is a dynamic, analytical, and collaborative leader responsible for driving the strategic design, implementation, and evaluation of NEFA’s portfolio of programs, and developing a compelling and comprehensive storytelling strategy about the impact of NEFA’s work.

As a member of NEFA’s Executive Team, the CIO reports to the Executive Director (ED) and partners with the Chief Operating Officer (COO). As a team, they are collectively responsible for developing, stewarding, and deploying the resources that power the organization’s work and service to the field. The executive team is charged with designing and implementing policies and plans that enhance NEFA’s ability to weather change, navigate short and long-term risk, and contribute to building the sustainability of the arts and culture sector in shifting financial, social, and political landscapes.

The ideal candidate is a systems thinker and equity-focused leader who will bring a deep understanding of arts programming, grantmaking, research methods, data-driven decision-making, collaborative design, and communications strategy. As the organization’s primary architect for evaluation and assessment, the Chief Impact Officer will play a critical role ensuring NEFA’s programs are aligned with the strategic plan, A Mission Forged in Collaboration, that they remain relevant in the current arts and culture landscape, are intentionally informed by constituents needs, and deliver impactful outcomes.

The Chief Impact Officer supervises staff and work across programs, including grantmaking and services, advocacy and communications; identifying themes and trends, creating opportunities for connection, and fostering and enhancing collaboration across teams and the organization. Externally, the Chief Impact Officer will identify and leverage public opportunities to enhance the visibility of NEFA’s impact and promote its leadership in the field. They will be committed to building and strengthening external relationships with constituents, peers, and networks to further inform, connect and expand NEFA’s work.

This is a new position that will evolve over time.

Essential Functions - % of Time

Organizational Leadership & Management – 30%
* Serve as a core member of NEFA’s Executive Team and Leadership Committee, working as an inclusive and collaborative leader, informing and contributing to decisions regarding strategy, capacity, and culture, setting organizational priorities and benchmarks, and assessing and evaluating outcomes;
* Work in close collaboration with the ED, COO, staff and board members on continued implementation of NEFA’s strategic plan, refining the organization’s evaluation strategy and tools, and supporting teams with ongoing planning and assessment processes;
* Support the ED, COO, and Director of Finance during the annual budgeting process, providing high-level insight into annual program and communications planning, financial needs, and identifying opportunities for deeper investment;
* Work with staff to streamline and establish meeting strategies that create intentional space and opportunities for exchange and learning across teams to promote and reinforce the value of cross-org collaboration;
* Develop and maintain strategic relationships with leaders in the national arts, nonprofit, advocacy, and funding fields to keep in touch with current thinking, developments and opportunities for NEFA;
* Cultivate relationships with NEFA constituents, peers, advisors, funders, and other stakeholders; identify and engage opportunities to develop and strengthen partnerships and explore conversations with potential collaborators with a focus on improving field stability and enhancing organizational impact;
* Participate in NEFA Board of Directors and board committee meetings; apprise the board and stakeholders on program strategy, activities, and impact.

Program Strategy and Evaluation – 30%
* Lead programmatic strategy in alignment with NEFA’s mission, vision, values, and priorities as a social impact organization;
* Drive evidence-based program design and evolution; use data, research, and constituent input to identify fieldwide needs and strategic opportunities where NEFA is well positioned to serve; assess capacity and resources to take on new initiatives; generate ideas for new directions and feasible approaches;
* Partner with the ED to co-design and implement a dynamic, adaptable program evaluation system; work with program leaders to articulate annual and long-term program goals; define and set benchmarks to articulate impact and define success;
* Facilitate efforts to assess program processes, finding opportunities to streamline workflows or build consistency, and ensure continued legal and funder compliance;
* Partner with the COO and Senior Director of Technology and Data to ensure NEFA’s technical systems are effectively supporting NEFA’s programmatic work and ambitions; explore new tools and methodology for program delivery; include Technology and Data team in program planning, research, and evaluation efforts;
* Synthesize and write about program learning to assist internal program planning efforts, inform funder proposals and relationship building, and external storytelling;
* Convene all program staff regularly to facilitate cross-program dialogue and learning.

Impact Storytelling & Communications – 25%
* Lead and partner with the communications team to develop compelling and effective storytelling strategies, narrative content, campaigns, reports, and messaging that promote and elevate program successes and convey the impact of NEFA’s organizational work;
* Support communications staff with setting and maintaining the organization’s brand, visual identity, written positioning, and social media strategy, ensuring NEFA’s public profile and relations are aligned with the organization’s mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities;
* Partner with the ED, communications and program staff to assess and contribute to efforts to enhance and appropriately scale NEFA’s portfolio of advocacy efforts and activity in alignment with the organization’s strategic direction;
* Support, and strengthen collaboration between communications and program staff, aligning planning timelines, creating space for brainstorming and exchange, and mapping implementation strategies;
* Support communications staff to design innovative messaging and implementation strategies that leverage a variety of tools, formats, and platforms to enhance and expand NEFA’s reach;
* Collaborate with Senior Development Director to leverage program storytelling as content for funding proposals and reports; contribute to efforts to identify and cultivate prospective funders and donors; update program staff and gather input on funder cultivation and stewardship strategies.

Supervision and Staff Leadership – 15%
* Provide leadership, decision-making, and general guidance to direct reports in all areas; support direct reports set goals and objectives for their departments and teams;
* Motivate and equip direct reports with tools that support delivering annual goals and objectives, setting and monitoring clear performance metrics, providing ongoing feedback and annual reviews, and implementing performance action plans as needed;
* Mentor staff and encourage and promote professional development and growth opportunities;
* Regularly represent the organization at conferences, meetings, performances, and other events and strategic opportunities; report on learning and outcomes;
* Participate in organization-wide convenings and events, planning sessions, and working groups.
* Scope
* Does this position supervise others? Yes. 5-6 Director-level staff, each of whom supervise teams of 1-2 FTEs.

Internal/External Contacts
Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with all members of the NEFA staff. Collaborate with fellow members of the Executive Team and Leadership Committee on all organizational opportunities and concerns. Supervise lead staff in programs and communications and build and maintain positive relationships with their individual team members. The CIO will work with all NEFA staff in some capacity, but will partner closely with the Senior Development Director, Senior Technology & Data Director, and Director of Finance frequently on specific efforts. Work with a variety of external stakeholders and constituents including grantees, applicants, funders, program participants, advisors, artists, presenters and state, regional, and national contacts at arts organizations.

Financial/Operational Resources Impacted
Full annual budget, approximately $10-11.5 million.

Key Relationships/Decision Making/Problem Solving
Staff in executive positions are the primary leaders of organization wide strategic planning, administration, policy, and governance. As the executive team, they are granted significant authority to make financial, personnel, and strategic decisions on behalf of the organization. The Chief Impact Officer is appointed Assistant Secretary of the organization and is empowered to approve and issue payments on behalf of the organization. Executive staff are significant fundraisers for the organization and are frequently in conversation with current and prospective funders and are charged with cultivating those relationships. As leaders of the organization, they frequently represent NEFA among peer organizations and externally in a variety of contexts and are expected to have a strong and active presence in the larger field and contribute to field and sector conversations as a representative of the organization. The CIO will outline and advise on strategic directions and partnerships to pursue to further achieve the vision and mission of NEFA’s portfolio of programs. The CIO will supervise and evaluate the execution of NEFA’s programs and communications and provide guidance to directors and staff on all opportunities or areas of concern. The CIO will set and implement program evaluation processes and benchmarks for success. As a supervisor, they will manage performance of and provide regular feedback to direct reports and their teams. As a peer, they will offer clear, constructive, and reciprocal feedback to and among the Executive Team. As an organizational leader, they will address interpersonal issues between staff or teams directly and invest in relationship and team building. Serve on the Executive Team, Leadership Committee, and other organizational committees and working groups as needed.

FY26 Executive Starting Salary Range
$134,000 - $155,000

Opportunities for Advancement
Positions at the executive level are likely to be terminal roles in the organization. In the event of a leadership transition, staff in positions at this level may be considered for temporary or permanent appointment to the Executive Director role as determined by the NEFA Board of Directors.

Requirements

Qualifications
Required
* 12-15+ years of relevant work experience with a track record of growth, leadership, and strategic visioning;
* Extensive knowledge and experience in team leadership, management, and development; Past experience supervising multiple staff and teams; experience with training and advising staff on supervision and team leadership a significant plus;
* Deep interest in and experience with program planning, strategy, and evaluation;
* Knowledge of and experience with grantmaking practices and procedures and familiarity with the current landscape of arts grantmaking in the United States; familiarity with concepts and fieldwide conversations about equitable grantmaking and philanthropic practices a significant plus;
* Knowledge of New England and its diverse creative communities; familiarity with the needs, opportunities, value, and impact of the creative ecosystem in New England and beyond a plus;
* Familiarity and comfort working with board members, donors, funders, and other organizational stakeholders;
* Past experience with nonprofit or program-based fundraising and resource development; familiarity with or existing relationships within the arts funding landscape a significant plus;
* Excellent organizational, written and oral communications skills, including public speaking. Must be able to effectively represent NEFA to external constituencies in the field;
* Strong ability to communicate and network with a broad constituent base;
* Willingness to travel and attend meetings, conferences and events during and outside of normal business hours;
* Appreciation for and identification with NEFA’s mission, vision, and values and interest in engaging in work to advance NEFA’s organizational goals;
* A valid driver’s license and the ability and comfort to travel locally, regionally, and nationally in diverse communities.
* Preferred
* Experience in planning, managing, and facilitating events and meetings;
* Familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM platforms;
* Familiarity with project management tools such as Asana.

Workplace Requirements
NEFA is a multi-state organization and an evolving and dynamic workplace. NEFA staff work in a variety of contexts, including in-person in Boston and remotely across New England and a limited number of approved states. This position requires the individual to reside within a regular commuting distance of NEFA’s office in Boston (with 1-hour drive or the catchment area of the MBTA) for at least the first two years of employment to enable relationship and team building with staff and their full participation in in-person program activities, presence at grantee events, and access to local and regional partners and funders. Location requirements may be revisited after two years in the role.

Physical/Mental Demands
Stationary position, occasional lifting (up to 15 lbs.), frequent travel (local, regional, and national regularly including events outside 9-5 work hours), computational skills, reasoning, decision-making, detailed work, communication, organization skills, reading, processing.

Application Instructions

Application Process
NEFA will conduct its search for a Chief Impact Officer internally led by NEFA’s Chief Operating Officer and Interim Manager of Program Strategy. The search process will involve both direct and indirect recruitment efforts. They will proactively contact prospective candidates, solicit recommendations, invite nominations, and encourage expressions of interest directly from individuals.

Candidates will apply using the application form at nefa.org/about/employment. They ask interested candidates to submit a resume and an introductory letter of interest (max 2 pages) that details their interest, relevant experiences, and preparedness for the role.

The deadline to apply is Friday, January 2, 2026. All materials will be reviewed as they are received, and they encourage interested candidates to submit prior to the deadline. Materials received after the deadline may not be reviewed if the existing pool is deemed sufficient. Requests for initial phone interviews will go out on a rolling basis. Following phone interviews, select candidates will be invited to submit a full application with additional materials in advance of a formal interview process with NEFA staff.

If you need assistance to fully participate in the hiring process, you may request an accommodation by contacting NEFA’s co-accessibility coordinator: accessibility@nefa.org | tel/tty 617-423-1390.