Executive Director

Job Description: Executive Director

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana (Hybrid: On-site and Remote)
Reports To: Indy Pride Board of Directors
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

About Indy Pride

Indy Pride, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating, educating, and supporting the LGBTQ+ community of Central Indiana. Through year-round programming, community outreach, and our annual Indy Pride Parade & Festival, we strive to create safe, affirming spaces for all identities within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. We believe in advocacy, inclusivity, and community-building.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) is the chief executive officer of Indy Pride and is responsible for providing visionary leadership, strategic direction, fiscal management, and day-to-day management of the organization. The ED ensures that the organization fulfills its mission through impactful programs, strategic partnerships, advocacy, and operational excellence. This role requires a dynamic, community-oriented leader with a passion for LGBTQ+ equity and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Given clear direction from the Board, the Executive shall develop and implement strategic goals and a long-term vision for the organization.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and advocate for Indy Pride in the community and with the media.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations, allies, civic leaders, and sponsors.

Organizational Management

• Oversee daily operations, including any staff, volunteers, programs, and internal systems.
• Hire, train, manage, and support a diverse and high-performing team.
• Foster a positive organizational culture rooted in equity, accountability, transparency, and collaboration.

Fundraising & Financial Oversight

• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies including grants, sponsorships, donor engagement, and events.
• Build and sustain a diverse sponsorship portfolio and maintain strong relationships with corporate, foundation, small business, and individual donors.
• Craft and curate compelling fundraising tools, sponsorship decks, donor appeals, and campaign materials that align with the organization's mission and funding priorities.
• Manage the organization’s budget, ensuring financial sustainability and accountability.
• Provide regular financial and operational updates to the Board of Directors.

Pride Festival & Parade Production

• Lead the overall planning, logistics, budgeting, and execution of the Indy Pride Festival and Parade — the organization's largest annual events.
• Oversee all back-end production elements including permitting, site plans, contracts, vendor and talent management, technical logistics, and safety protocols.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including staff, volunteers, production partners, and public officials to ensure a seamless, affirming, and safe event.
• Develop run-of-show documents, production timelines, and contingency plans for weather, emergencies, or other disruptions.
• Ensure that all events align with the mission, center marginalized voices, and reflect a commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

Program Development & Community Engagement

• Support and expand year-round programming that centers and uplifts the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities.
• Expand outreach efforts to underrepresented groups within the LGBTQ+ community, especially BIPOC, trans, and nonbinary individuals.
• Measure and evaluate program impact and adjust strategies based on community needs and feedback.

Marketing, Communications & Digital Presence

• Manage or oversee Indy Pride’s social media platforms, ensuring consistent, mission-aligned messaging across all channels.
• Create or curate engaging content that reflects the voice, values, and priorities of the organization, especially during key programming and Pride season.
• Develop and maintain the organization’s website using accessible platforms such as Squarespace or Wix; update content, imagery, and event information regularly.
• Support brand consistency and basic graphic design needs (flyers, social posts, newsletters) using tools like Canva.
• Build and execute email marketing campaigns to create engagement and outreach, monitor communication metrics for effectiveness.
• Serve as a steward of the organization’s public image, ensuring visual and written communications center inclusion, equity, and community representation.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 5 years of proven leadership experience in nonprofit and/or business management, community development, or a related field.

• Deep understanding of LGBTQ+ communities, history, and social justice issues.
• Strong skills in fundraising, strategic planning, budgeting, and organizational leadership.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising with a proven track record of growth in fast-paced or evolving environments.
• Experience developing and writing strategic plans, reports, and organizational frameworks, with the ability to provide prior examples upon request.
• Proven ability to develop, create, and execute a comprehensive programmatic schedule that aligns with mission, growth, and community impact.
• Demonstrated experience in building and managing a successful, diverse sponsorship and fundraising program.
• Experience planning and managing large-scale public events or festivals.
• Prior experience in event production and/or event management, with a strong understanding of backend operations such as logistics, technical needs, vendor coordination, permitting, and run-of-show execution.
• Over 10 years of experience in customer and stakeholder relationship-building, with an emphasis on strategic engagement and long-term partnerships.
• Experience in executing and negotiating contracts, including with vendors, talent, and sponsors.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Google Drive, and managing/tracking customer or stakeholder relationship information.
• Experience managing organizational social media accounts and creating engaging mission-aligned content.
• Familiarity with website management platforms (e.g., Squarespace, Wix) and comfort with updating content and imagery.
• Basic graphic design skills and experience using tools like Canva or Adobe Express to support branding and communications.
• Experience building and executing email marketing campaigns and tracking engagement metrics.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to DEIA values in both internal operations and public programming.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in nonprofit and/or business management, public administration, finance, or a related field.
• Leadership or staff experience in LGBTQ+ organizations; Pride event involvement strongly preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range

• $85,000 – $110,000, or commensurate with experience
• Yearly health insurance stipend
• Paid time off and holidays
• Flexible work schedule with hybrid on-site/remote options

To Apply

• Please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your passion for Indy Pride’s mission, and three professional references to https://indypride.org/ed-2025/.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Indy Pride is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Individuals from historically marginalized groups — including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); trans and nonbinary people; and individuals with disabilities — are strongly encouraged to apply.