President and CEO

Deep End Talent Strategies is proud to partner with Indiana Humanities in the search for its next President & CEO.

Position Description

Indiana Humanities seeks an experienced, collaborative, visionary, and service-minded leader to direct the organization into its next chapter. This role offers a rare opportunity to steward a stable, respected statewide nonprofit while continuing to evolve its impact, partnerships, and public relevance.

The president and CEO is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and strategic direction of Indiana Humanities. Working in close partnership with the board of directors and staff, the president and CEO advances the organization’s mission to promote the public humanities across Indiana, fostering learning, connection, and understanding through programs, grants, and public conversation.

The ideal candidate is an inspiring communicator, a trusted relationship builder, and a thoughtful organizational leader who values collaboration, equity, and community engagement. Like all members of the Indiana Humanities team, the president and CEO is committed to our mission and values of inclusivity, curiosity, community, creativity, and partnership.

Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership and Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of the organization’s strategic plan, annual workplan, and budget in partnership with the board of directors.

• Provide clear organizational vision and direction while supporting innovation, adaptability, and long-term sustainability.

• Work collaboratively with the board of directors to maximize effectiveness and strategic alignment of board committees.

• Maintain regular communication with board members and provide support where needed.

• Serve as a board member and an ex-officio member of all appropriate board committees and ensure strong communication and information across governance bodies.

People and Culture

• Lead, support, and develop staff; establish organizational structure, role clarity, and performance expectations in a dynamic environment.

• Oversee core human resources functions such as hiring, midyear and annual evaluations, performance improvement for employees, and managing relationships and deliverables with external contractors.

• Collaborate with the board to establish staff compensation, including salaries and benefits.

• Foster a healthy, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture grounded in trust, accountability, and shared purpose.

Fundraising

• Lead and actively participate in fundraising efforts, including development of goals and strategies, prospect planning, donor cultivation, relationship stewardship, and reporting.

• Serve as Indiana Humanities’ primary spokesperson and representative with donors, partners, media, community leaders, and the public.

• Manage the relationship and engagement with the National Endowment for the Humanities, a federal agency that has historically provided operational support to Indiana Humanities and ensure compliance with the agency’s policies and guidelines.

• Promote successful relationships with a wide range of funding sources and donors.

• Coordinate with the internal development team to review grant proposals and reports as needed.

Programs and Public Impact

• Provide strategic oversight of programs, grants, and special initiatives.

• Ensure alignment between programs and grants and Indiana Humanities’ mission, values, and strategic priorities.

• Provide executive leadership and oversight for the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), a signature initiative housed within Indiana Humanities, supporting its strategic direction, partnerships, and long-term sustainability.

Community Engagement, External Relations, and Visibility

• Represent Indiana Humanities across the state through public speaking, events, meetings, and media engagement.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with civic leaders, cultural organizations, and statewide partners.

• Maintain and strengthen partnerships with state and national humanities organizations, including the Federation of State Humanities Councils.

• Meet regularly with elected officials at the federal, state, and local level to update them on Indiana Humanities’ work and the services we provide to constituents statewide through National Endowment for the Humanities funding.

• Increase the organization’s visibility, credibility, and impact across diverse Indiana communities.

Operations and Management

• Oversee all organizational operations, including governance, finance, grants, programs, advocacy, fundraising, communications, partnerships, human resources, and compliance.

• Develop and manage the annual operating budget; approve expenditures within board-approved parameters.

• Ensure strong internal systems, policies, and practices across finance, human resources, fundraising, marketing, communications, safety, succession planning, and programming.

• Manage and collaborate with staff and vendors regarding maintenance and renovations of the Nicholson House, Indiana Humanities’ headquarters.

• Oversee and manage tenant relations at the Nicholson House.

The Ideal Candidate

• Is deeply passionate about the humanities and their role in strengthening communities and civic life, with demonstrated commitments to the humanities and/or public engagement.

• Will promote and increase the organization’s visibility, credibility, and impact across Indiana communities.

• Promotes a collaborative leadership style, with experience leading teams of at least 8 to 15 employees and external consultants, and has experience in leading through service, trust, and shared accountability.

• Is a strategic thinker who can balance vision with operational execution.

• Has a successful track record of navigating complex funding sources and relationships, including local, state, and federal government, private foundations, and key donors.

• Demonstrates strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to engage diverse audiences.

• Demonstrates a commitment to treating all people with dignity and respect and fostering an environment where everyone can contribute and succeed.

• Has a strong record of internal and external representation for an organization, including public programming.

Education and/or Equivalent Experience

• Advanced degree in the humanities, education, nonprofit management, or a related field preferred.

• Significant senior-level leadership experience with demonstrated success in nonprofit management, including navigating changing legislative environments.

• Experience overseeing multifaceted programs and complex organizations.

• A proven track record of fundraising and relationship-building experience.

• Experience within and a deep understanding of the nonprofit and philanthropic sector.

We recognize that great candidates may not meet every qualification listed. If you bring relevant experience, perspective, and passion for executive leadership in the humanities, we encourage you to apply.

Work Environment

Indiana Humanities’ offices are located near downtown Indianapolis in a lovingly restored historic home built by Indiana author Meredith Nicholson. Standard office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While this role requires a commitment to working in the office, flexible scheduling is available to support professional and personal needs. The role includes statewide travel, occasional trips to Washington, D.C., and frequent evening and weekend commitments.

Indiana Humanities is an equal opportunity employer. Our hiring process is inclusive of all genders and gender expressions, races and ethnicities, religions and sexualities, veterans, and people with disabilities.

What We Offer

• Generous total rewards package including base salary of $210,000-$250,000
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) contribution of 10% after the first year of employment

Applications will be evaluated as they are received, and the application portal may close at any time after March 27th, at the organization's discretion.