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Wheatland Music Organization

Executive Director

Remus, MI | Full-Time | $90k-$100k Annual Salary

ABOUT WHEATLAND MUSIC ORGANIZATION

The Wheatland Music Organization is a beloved Michigan-based nonprofit dedicated to celebrating and preserving traditional folk and roots music and arts. Best known for its annual Wheatland Music Festival held each September, the organization has grown from a single annual festival to hosting a variety of events throughout the year, including monthly jamborees, adult music education classes, an arts weekend, and a winter event. With the support of over 1,000 dedicated volunteers, Wheatland is deeply rooted in community, culture, and connection. As the organization's founders like to say, it is not the board's festival, but the patrons' -- they are simply its guardians.

POSITION SUMMARY

Wheatland Music Organization is seeking a warm, community-centered, and operationally minded Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter. This is a unique opportunity to steward a deeply cherished cultural institution while modernizing its operations, expanding its community presence, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of its programs and events. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, leads a small professional staff, and an extensive volunteer network.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Community & Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as the primary ambassador and public face of Wheatland Music Organization in the community and with partner organizations.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with performers, vendors, volunteers, patrons, and community partners.

• Represent WMO at community events, festivals, and networking opportunities to increase visibility and awareness.

• Foster the welcoming, inclusive 'Wheatland Way' culture that has defined the organization for decades.
  

Programming & Events

• Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of the annual Wheatland Music Festival and all other organizational events.

• Manage contracts for 500+ performers and vendors annually, transitioning processes from paper-based to modern digital systems.

• Collaborate with the Operations Manager and volunteer leads to ensure seamless event execution.

• Support the revival and expansion of programs past, current and future, and explore opportunities to grow community outreach.

Fundraising & Development

• Lead grant writing and grant management efforts to secure operational and programmatic funding.

• Identify and pursue new fundraising opportunities to diversify revenue beyond ticket sales.

• Cultivate donor and membership relationships to support the long-term financial health of the organization.

• Work toward establishing a formal fund development strategy in partnership with the Board.
  

Staff & Volunteer Leadership

• Provide supportive and empowering leadership to a small staff team including an Operations Manager, Marketing Coordinator, and part-time support staff.

• Partner with the Operations Manager to coordinate and recognize the contributions of 1,000+ volunteers.

• Champion a culture of delegation, documentation, and shared institutional knowledge to strengthen organizational resilience.

• Lead with a patient, steady approach to change, bringing staff, volunteers, and the board along thoughtfully.
  

Operations & Financial Oversight

• Oversee the organization's operating budget in partnership with the Board Finance Committee.

• Drive the modernization of organizational systems including ticketing, vendor payments, and administrative workflows.

• Ensure compliance with all nonprofit governance, financial, and reporting requirements.

• Keep the Board of Directors informed and engaged, attending monthly board meetings and serving on relevant committees.
  

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 5 years of senior leadership experience within a mission-driven non-profit organization or demonstrated progressive leadership experience.

• Demonstrated history of successfully leading a nonprofit organization, including board relations and strategic oversight.

• 2 years of experience overseeing an organization’s budget and coordination of grant writing/management.

• Strong community presence and relationship-building skills.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the warmth, humility, and people-first approach that the Wheatland community embodies.
  

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, or a related field, or commensurate experience.

• Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) Certification

• Experience leading a music or performing arts organization.

• Familiarity with QuickBooks or similar financial management tools.

• Familiarity with event management, vendor relations, and large-scale volunteer coordination.

• Experience with technology modernization to streamline operations and boost efficiency.
  

WHAT MAKES THIS ROLE UNIQUE

The ideal candidate will deeply appreciate what Wheatland already is and approach change with patience, respect, and genuine curiosity. They will inherit an organization with extraordinary community goodwill, a fiercely loyal volunteer base, and a 50-year legacy of bringing people together through music. They will also step into a significant opportunity to modernize operations, grow the organization's reach, and position Wheatland for the next generation of patrons and performers.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Short-term disability and life insurance

• Retirement contributions eligibility

• Paid time off and holiday pay

• Annual performance bonus eligibility

• Professional development and training support