President and Executive Director — Academy of American Poets (New York, NY)
Academy of American PoetsOverview
The Academy of American Poets is the nation’s leading champion of poets and poetry, reaching millions of people each month and awarding more than $1.25 million annually to poets. Founded in 1934, the Academy supports American poets at all stages of their careers and fosters the appreciation and production of American poetry through Poets.org, Poem-a-Day, American Poets magazine, National Poetry Month, and K–12 educational resources. With a $5 million budget and nearly a century of impact, the Academy is entering a pivotal moment as it looks toward its centennial.
The Role
The President and Executive Director serves as the chief executive, reporting to the Board of Directors. They lead a staff of 10, manage programs, publications, and operations, and provide strategic vision and advocacy for poets and poetry nationwide. Responsibilities include fundraising, membership growth, external relations, artistic programming, financial stewardship, and Board and Chancellor engagement. The leader will be a compelling spokesperson, fundraiser, and organizational strategist.
What They’re Looking For
The ideal candidate has 10+ years of senior nonprofit leadership experience with a proven track record in fundraising, board relations, staff management, and strategic planning. A bachelor’s degree is required. A deep knowledge of contemporary poetry and a passion for the literary arts are strongly preferred, along with strong communication skills, editorial/curatorial experience, and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Highlights
- Salary range: $170,000–$200,000, plus benefits
- Reports to: Board of Directors (22 members)
- Staff: 10 full-time employees, plus consultants and interns
- Annual budget: $5 million
- Sector: Arts & Culture / Literary Arts
- Unique opportunity: Lead the nation’s foremost poetry organization into its centennial year
- Position open until filled