Are you PineCone’s next Executive Director?

Are you passionate about the power of music, culture, and community to bring people together?

Are you the kind of leader who values both preserving tradition and creating space for new voices and evolving cultural expression?

Do you believe music is more than performance; it is storytelling, education, connection, and cultural preservation?

Are you energized by the opportunity to lead a beloved organization with foundational roots, strong community trust, and meaningful potential for growth?

Are you a relationship-centered leader who can move comfortably between artists, donors, civic leaders, volunteers, educators, and audiences while balancing artistic vision, financial sustainability, and organizational leadership needs?

If so, PineCone may be the right place for your next chapter.

Why?

For more than 40 years, PineCone has preserved, presented, and promoted roots music and cultural traditions through concerts, festivals, educational programs, workshops, camps, community events, and artist partnerships. Incorporated in 1984 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, PineCone has become one of the largest and most active presenters of roots music in North Carolina. It is well established in the region as a leader in the world of bluegrass, old-time and other forms of roots music.

More than 90% of people attending PineCone’s events attend free of charge, reflecting the organization’s deep commitment to accessibility, participation, and cultural preservation. PineCone is a resident company at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh and serves as the producer of the Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival.

With support from nearly 1,000 members, PineCone presents music steeped in a wide range of cultural traditions, including bluegrass, blues, gospel, folk, jazz, old-time, Irish, Native American, Hispanic, and other global and regional music traditions that have put down roots in North Carolina.

PineCone operates with a dedicated staff team of three, an engaged 11-member Board of Directors, and an annual operating budget of approximately $1,100,000 supported through a mix of earned revenue, grants, memberships, sponsorships, philanthropy, and partnerships.

The organization is entering a new chapter as Executive Director David Brower prepares to retire. The Board of Directors has launched a thoughtful leadership transition process designed to honor PineCone’s strong legacy while positioning the organization for continued growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

This is a rare opportunity to build upon a strong foundation while helping shape the future of one of North Carolina’s most respected cultural organizations. The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to honor PineCone’s legacy while expanding its reach, strengthening sustainability, and deepening its impact across communities and generations.

Learn more at www.pinecone.org

What will you do as PineCone’s next Executive Director?

• Serve as the strategic, operational, and community leader of PineCone while advancing its mission to preserve, present, and promote traditional music and culture
• Partner with staff, Board, artists, educators, volunteers, funders, and community stakeholders to shape PineCone’s next chapter
• Curate and book high-quality artistic programming that reflects both tradition and evolving cultural perspectives
• Continue expanding PineCone’s reach through concerts, festivals, educational programs, camps, workshops, and community partnerships
• Strengthen and diversify contributed and earned revenue streams, including individual giving, sponsorships, grants, memberships, ticket revenue, and partnerships
• Serve as PineCone’s chief ambassador and storyteller with artists, donors, elected officials, civic partners, tourism leaders, legacy media and the broader community
• Oversee organizational operations, budgeting, financial management, and long-term sustainability
• Support and nurture a small, collaborative, mission-driven staff
• Navigate a changing arts funding landscape with creativity, adaptability, and strong financial stewardship
• Ensure PineCone remains a welcoming, community-centered organization that values participation, education, and cultural connection

Key lived experiences, attributes, and skillsets sought in the next Executive Director

Relationship-Savvy Builder & Ambassador of PineCone’s Mission

• Passionate about PineCone’s mission and the power of traditional music, arts, culture, and community, with the ability to serve as a visible and engaging ambassador
• Strong knowledge of bluegrass, old-time, blues, gospel and other musical forms that are rooted in the Piedmont of North Carolina
• Relationship-centered and emotionally intelligent leader who builds trust quickly and connects artists, audiences, donors, civic leaders, volunteers, and partners around a shared
• Skilled at building collaborative partnerships and navigating diverse stakeholder relationships with authenticity, and strong communication skills while empowering staff, artists, and community partners
• Values education, participation, and intergenerational learning as essential to preserving, sustaining, and expanding access to traditional arts and cultural traditions

Strategic and Entrepreneurial Leadership

• Strategic thinker who can grow and evolve programs, events, and community impact while preserving authenticity, diplomacy, and mission clarity
• Entrepreneurial and adaptable leader who thrives in a small, multifaceted organization
• Balances artistic vision and audience engagement with operational and financial realities
• Experience leading in nonprofit, arts, cultural, festival, or entertainment environments preferred

Fundraising and Revenue Development Experience

• Proven experience securing and growing revenue through grants, sponsorships, memberships, partnerships, and donor engagement
• Skilled at cultivating relationships with donors, sponsors, and funding partners
• Identifies and expands earned and contributed revenue opportunities to support long-term sustainability

Financial and Nonprofit Management Skills

• Strong financial management and budgeting experience
• Manages multiple priorities effectively while balancing operational excellence with mission-driven programming
• Knowledge of artist booking, festivals, or live event programming
• Aptitude leading a small, collaborative, high-impact staff of two full-time professionals and several contractors

Think you are PineCone’s next Executive Director?

To apply, scroll to the bottom of this page. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, and salary requirements. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.

Candidate review will begin June 8th and continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The salary range for this position is $90,000–$95,000, with the opportunity for an annual discretionary performance bonus. Benefits include medical insurance, paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.