Executive Director
Do you believe in the power of young people to transform communities? Do you grow leaders around you and feel energized by the prospect of co-leading a passionate team of creative change-makers?
Yakima Music en Acción (YAMA) is a youth-power-building organization that uses ensemble-based musical programming to build leadership and community for at-promise youth in Washington's Yakima Valley. YAMA’s Executive Director (ED) will guide the organization into its next phase of growth. We're looking for an advocate of youth empowerment and arts education who is excited about translating vision into action. A musical background is not required for the ED position!
The ideal person for this role will bring both strong organizational leadership skills and the flexibility to thrive in a creative, youth-centered culture. The ED serves as the organization’s primary spokesperson, fundraiser, and partnership-builder, while cultivating a people-centered internal culture that empowers staff to lead and facilitates student growth and success.
Learn more & apply: yamamusic.org/hiring/ed
Vision & Strategy
Co-lead YAMA's vision, strategy, and growth with the Program Director, seeking funding, partnerships, and organizational opportunities that are aligned with YAMA’s values of building youth power; prioritizing staff wellness and growth; and relational community-building.
Culture & Values Leadership
Model humility, radical welcome, and growth mindset while keeping student success at the center of decisions. Nurture a culture of care, reflection, and curiosity, strengthening YAMA as a workplace that promotes from within and supports long-term staff and alumni pathways.
Board Development & Management
Recruit and engage a vision-aligned Board that energizes YAMA’s team, mission, fundraising, and impact. Equip Board members to serve as effective advocates and proactive supporters of YAMA artists.
Team Management & Supervision
Build a collaborative, accountable staff through clear role design, strong communication, and close partnership with team members. Supervise, coach, and develop four direct reports through ongoing feedback and mentorship.
Fundraising & Marketing
Partner with Development Manager to cultivate donors, secure funding, steward relationships, coordinate marketing efforts, and pursue values-aligned grant opportunities that advance YAMA's mission, sustainability, and community impact.
Human Resources
Lead annual hiring, on-boarding, retention, and off-boarding processes, ensuring clear roles and transparent staffing structures. Oversee equitable compensation practices, including pay policies, raises, role changes, performance management, and progressive discipline and termination when necessary.
Financial Oversight
Partner with the Administrative Manager, accountant, and Treasurer to develop and monitor YAMA’s budget, ensure accurate reporting, and communicate financial updates to the Board and staff. Coach staff account managers in responsible, mission-aligned financial stewardship.
Organizational Compliance
Oversee and manage contracts, leases, and licenses. Ensure organizational compliance and effective risk management with Administrative Manager, ensuring ethical and legal integrity across the organization.
Required qualifications: Leadership experience with direct supervision, coaching or mentorship; strong organizational, project management, and communication skills; experience in at least one of the following: HR, fundraising, or finance. Alignment with YAMA’s values, including belief in the power of youth and a relational, growth-oriented leadership style. Ability to balance detail and follow-through with big-picture impact.
Preferred qualifications: Strong facilitation skills, with ability to guide discussions, build consensus, and move groups toward action. Experience in collaborative teams with shared leadership and accountability. Bilingual English/Spanish a plus, or willingness to learn and grow.
- $70k - 85k annual salary (1.0 FTE), dependent on experience
- $6k annual health stipend.
- 4 weeks of Paid Time Off
- 2 weeks of paid office closures, as determined by ED
- 11 paid federal holidays
- Sick leave accrued at double the state minimum (~2 weeks annually)
- $900 annual professional development allotment
- 3-month paid sabbatical after 6 years of full-time employment
- Encouragement to continue shaping policy and employee care benefits through ED role
Apply at: yamamusic.org/hiring/ed
Priority application deadline: July 31, 2026.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position open until filled.
Training & support: Built-in support includes flexible ED transition with the outgoing ED; close partnership with Program Director; consistent Treasurer meetings; facilitated relational connections to parents, former staff and program alumni; and experienced alumni on program staff and administrative team.
Work environment & schedule: YAMA supports a flexible hybrid work environment, recognizing that effective leadership can happen in a variety of settings. At the same time, this role requires regular in-person presence and relationship-building with staff, students, families, donors, and community partners, with occasional evening and weekend commitments for Board meetings and events.