Stanford Live, a premier arts presenter in the San Francisco Bay Area and a highly visible component of Stanford University’s commitment to the arts, seeks a dynamic, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as its next Executive Director (or ED). This role presents an opportunity for an arts leader to advance innovation, equity, and transformation in the performing arts sector at a critical time. The ED will take the lead in strategically shaping the long-range vision and impact of the performing arts on both existing and new audiences and communities, on campus, regionally, and nationally.

Stanford Live presents a wide range of performances from around the world, fostering a vibrant and inclusive learning community, and providing distinctive experiences through the performing arts. It is simultaneously a public square, a sanctuary, and a lab, drawing on the breadth and depth of Stanford University to connect performance to the significant issues, ideas, and discoveries of our time.  Stanford Live is part of the university’s Office of the Vice President for the Arts, which aims to increase the visibility and collective impact of the arts at Stanford.

This position, recently endowed as the McMurtry Family Director and reporting to the Vice President for the Arts, will continue to advance and develop the Stanford Live programming and brand, ensuring that its venues and programs reach their full potential as a vital destination for artists, the campus and the broader arts community. As an arts leader for the Peninsula and Bay Area, Stanford Live’s Executive Director will attract and inspire a diverse and ever-expanding audience and community through an innovative, financially resilient, inclusive, performing arts program. The ED will strive to make Stanford Live a bridge between Stanford and the community, offering rich, multifaceted programming that connects people to one another and to the challenges and opportunities of today, as well as opportunities for the public to connect with new artists and art forms and in both formal and informal settings. They will also work internally to meaningfully connect Stanford Live’s programming to students and academic units on campus to forge new partnerships and possibilities. Most importantly, they will lead with a keen understanding of the state of the performing arts in both campuses and communities across the country and steer the organization into the future.

The full job listing may be found here. 

SALARY

The expected pay range for this position is $193,000 – 275,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope of the responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic market, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Why Stanford is for You

Through world-class research and education, Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich our increasingly complex world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!
 

*The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

*Consistent with its obligations under the law, the university will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.

*Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS

Stanford Live has retained the national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process.

Inquiries, nominations, and referrals should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/stanford-live/director or
Sarah James (she/her), Ben Tobin (he/him), Angelo Alexander (they/them), and Alaine Small (she/her)

Isaacson, Miller

263 Summer Street, 7th Floor

Boston, MA 02210

Applications consisting of a cover letter and resume should be submitted via the Stanford Careers website