Executive Director

Search for the Executive Director

Stanford Jazz Workshop

Stanford, California

Stanford Jazz Workshop (SJW) seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic vision and operational leadership to this nationally renowned nonprofit organization in jazz education. Founded in 1972, SJW, a 501©3 non-profit organization, is recognized for its unique pedagogy that connects young musicians to master jazz performers in an intensive and inspiring workshop setting.

Its core programs during summer include four weeks of immersive jazz education programs for middle school, high school, and adult musicians and the flagship Stanford Jazz Festival. Year-round SJW produces the enduring Monday night jam sessions in Stanford’s Coffee House, provides after-school instruction to middle and high school students through their award-winning big band programs, and presents other educational and performance programs. SJW’s programming is led by world-class jazz artists and educators, and the educational programs are tailored to student experience and ability, making them accessible to musicians of all ages and skill levels.

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall strategic, operational, programmatic, and administrative management of SJW, as well as the production of the Stanford Jazz Festival concerts and summer programs. The Executive Director supervises the year-round work of up to ten staff and is responsible for 30-40 summer production staff and seasonal employees. SJW is governed by a 14-member Board of Directors, and its 2023 operating budget is $2.45 million. SJW relies on a balance of tuition and contributions from individuals, grants, and corporate sponsors. The organization is based in Northern California, with an office in San Francisco and a seasonal summer home on the Stanford University campus.

Looking forward, the ED will provide steady organizational leadership while refining the vision for SJW’s future. This leader will continue to diversify and grow sources of funding; will optimize operations and nurture a high-performing staff and board; will deepen and manage the ongoing partnership with Stanford University; and will ensure consistent delivery of programming – all while strengthening its equity, diversity, and inclusion work as an organization.

The salary range for this position is $175,000 - 190,000, commensurate with experience. Stanford Jazz Workshop is based in Northern California with an office in San Francisco, and the majority of staff work remotely during most of the year. Given the hands-on nature of the summer workshop and festival, the Executive Director is required to be present on the Stanford University campus during the peak programming period from mid-June through early August.

SJW has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. All applications (including resume and a two-to-three-page letter of interest responding to the opportunities and challenges outlined above), inquiries, and nominations, which will remain confidential, should be directed via Issacson, Miller’s website:

Rebecca Swartz, Partner

Nella Young, Sr. Associate

Isaacson, Miller

https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/stanford-jazz-workshop/executive-director

Stanford Jazz Workshop is an equal-opportunity employer and seeks to create a diverse and harmonious workplace.