North Carolina Azalea Festival · 5 days ago
Executive Director
Wilmington, NC
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
8+ years expNorth Carolina Azalea Festival is an organization focused on showcasing the community's rich array of artwork, gardens, history, and culture. The Executive Director serves as the operations lead, responsible for overall leadership, strategic direction, financial sustainability, and operational excellence of the organization while cultivating relationships with sponsors and the community.
Events Services
Responsibilities
Lead the implementation, and evaluation of the Festival’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities
Translate Board-approved strategic and tactical goals into actionable, measurable operational plans
Monitor organizational performance and ensure alignment with strategic objectives and community impact goals
Identify emerging opportunities and risks and proactively recommend strategies to the Board
Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, fostering a strong, transparent, and collaborative relationship
Support effective Board governance by preparing meeting agendas, materials, and reports
Partner with Board committees and leadership to advance organizational priorities
Ensure compliance with all Board-approved policies, bylaws, and governance best practices
Collaborate with the Finance Committee to develop and manage the annual operating budget
Ensure the organization operates within approved financial parameters and maintains sound fiscal controls
Provide accurate, timely financial and operational reporting to the Board
Oversee contract negotiations, RFPs, and vendor agreements to maximize value and minimize risk
Lead and support fundraising, sponsorship, and revenue-generation efforts in partnership with the Board
Cultivate, steward, and grow relationships with sponsors, donors, partners, and community stakeholders
Identify and pursue new funding opportunities to ensure long-term organizational sustainability
Serve as a visible and credible spokesperson for the Festival, protecting and promoting its brand and public image
Provide leadership and oversight of all staff and volunteers, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven culture
Oversee all human resource functions, including recruitment, retention, performance management, professional development, compensation, benefits, compliance, and employee relations
Ensure clear roles, accountability, and effective internal communication across the organization
Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical practices throughout the organization
Provide overall leadership and accountability for the planning and execution of all Festival activities and operations
Ensure operational excellence, safety, and a high-quality experience for attendees, volunteers, sponsors, and partners
Oversee day-to-day administrative and office operations
Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Board of Directors in support of the organization’s mission
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in business, nonprofit management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive leadership experience, preferably in a nonprofit, arts, cultural, or community-based organization
Demonstrated success in organizational leadership, financial management, and strategic planning
Strong relationship-building skills with boards, donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners
Excellent communication and public-speaking skills
Proven ability to lead teams, manage change, and foster a positive organizational culture
Proficiency with modern office technology, financial systems, and HR platforms
High integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the organization's mission
Company
North Carolina Azalea Festival
The North Carolina Azalea Festival is Wilmington’s annual community celebration and the largest festival of its kind in the state.
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase