POSITION PROFILE – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

kpCompanies is partnering with Walker West Music Academy to identify a bold, visionary, and community-rooted leader to serve as its next Executive Director.

This is a defining moment for Walker West. With a fully paid, state-of-the-art facility at 650 Marshall Avenue and nearly four decades of cultural impact, the organization is uniquely positioned to expand its reach, deepen its community impact, and elevate its presence across the Twin Cities and beyond.

The next Executive Director will not simply steward the organization—they will build its future.

This leader will be responsible for driving enrollment growth, expanding earned and contributed revenue, strengthening organizational infrastructure, and positioning Walker West as a premier destination for music education rooted in the African American cultural experience.

Serving as the chief executive and public face of the organization, the Executive Director will work in close partnership with the Board of Directors, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders to translate momentum into long-term sustainability and scaled impact.

The ideal candidate brings a builder mindset, pairing strategic vision with operational discipline, and a deep commitment to cultural stewardship, community connection, and artistic excellence.

Key leadership priorities include:

Drive student enrollment growth and expand program participation
Increase and balance earned and contributed revenue streams
Strengthen organizational infrastructure, systems, and team performance
Elevate Walker West's visibility and reputation across the Twin Cities and beyond
Deepen community relationships while honoring legacy and cultural roots
Partner closely with the Board of Directors on strategy and governance

THE ORGANIZATION – WALKER WEST MUSIC ACADEMY

Mission

Walker West Music Academy ignites community through the transformative power of music by providing exceptional music education rooted in cultural expression and access.

Overview

Located in the historic Rondo neighborhood of Saint Paul, Walker West Music Academy has served as a cornerstone for music education, cultural preservation, and artistic excellence since its founding in 1988.

Founded by Reverend Carl Walker and Grant West, the Academy was built on a powerful vision: to provide exceptional music education in a safe, nurturing, and culturally grounded environment.

Today, Walker West is nationally recognized for its excellence in jazz, gospel, strings, and improvisational music, and for its deep roots in the African American cultural experience. More than a music school, it is a vibrant, intergenerational community where professional artists cultivate talent, inspire creativity, and foster a lifelong connection to music.

In 2023, Walker West completed a transformative $14 million capital campaign to acquire and renovate its permanent home at 650 Marshall Avenue. This 16,000-square-foot facility includes a 200-seat performance hall, digital recording lab, and expanded teaching studios—positioning the organization to serve three times as many students as ever before.

With its facility fully paid for and a strong foundation of community trust, Walker West is poised to enter its next phase of growth, impact, and long-term sustainability.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Growth & Strategic Leadership 30%

Lead and execute a clear strategy to significantly grow student enrollment and program participation
Expand Walker West's reach and relevance within the Twin Cities arts and cultural ecosystem
Identify and pursue new earned revenue opportunities while strengthening existing programs
Position Walker West as a premier destination for culturally rooted music education
Translate organizational vision into actionable, measurable growth plans

Fundraising, External Relations & Revenue Development 30%

Serve as the primary fundraiser and external ambassador for Walker West
Develop and execute strategies to grow both contributed and earned revenue streams
Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, foundations, corporate partners, and community stakeholders
Elevate Walker West's visibility, reputation, and brand presence locally and nationally

Organizational & Operational Leadership 20%

Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring strong financial management and organizational sustainability
Strengthen internal systems, processes, and infrastructure to support growth
Align staffing structure and organizational priorities to support current and future needs

Program & Facility Leadership 10%

Ensure programs remain high-quality, culturally relevant, and aligned with community needs
Maximize the 650 Marshall Avenue facility as a hub for music education, performance, and community engagement
Expand partnerships that increase program reach and facility utilization

People Leadership & Culture 10%

Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing, mission-aligned faculty and staff
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Lead with a commitment to inclusion, creativity, and cultural authenticity

QUALIFICATIONS

Walker West seeks a leader who is both strategic and deeply relational—someone who can scale impact while remaining grounded in community and culture.

Required Experience

Proven executive leadership experience within a nonprofit, arts, education, or culturally-specific organization
Demonstrated success growing a tuition-based organization or nonprofit with both earned and contributed revenue streams
Track record of leading organizations, programs, or teams through growth or transformation
Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors
Strong financial and operational management experience

Leadership & Personal Attributes

A builder mindset—entrepreneurial, growth-oriented, and energized by opportunity
Deep connection to and lived experience within the African American community and cultural traditions central to Walker West's mission
Ability to unify, inspire, and lead faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders
Passion for music and appreciation for genres rooted in the African American experience, including jazz and gospel
A servant leader who honors legacy while driving forward progress
Clear, compelling communicator with strong interpersonal skills

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

Walker West Music Academy stands at a rare and powerful inflection point.

With a fully paid, world-class facility, a deeply rooted cultural legacy, and strong community trust, the organization is uniquely positioned to expand its reach and influence in meaningful ways.

The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to build on this foundation—shaping the future of one of the Twin Cities' most culturally significant arts institutions while ensuring its impact continues for generations to come.

EQUITY AND SALARY DISCLOSURE

We believe in practices that create real equity and pay parity regardless of background or identity. We freely discuss compensation with all qualified candidates during the first conversation. This approach allows us to better understand each candidate's needs and ensures that qualified individuals do not self-select out of the process based on assumptions.

The salary range for this role is $135,000 to $150,000, commensurate with experience, with a comprehensive benefits package.

While we believe in transparency, we also recognize that compensation is only one part of a candidate’s decision making process. Even if this range does not fully align with your current salary target, we still strongly encourage you to apply. There may be flexibility based on the full scope of experience, and we are always thoughtful about connecting exceptional candidates to opportunities that best match their goals and needs.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Walker West Music Academy and kpCompanies are equal opportunity employers. All employees and applicants for employment are afforded equal opportunity without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are passionate about leading a culturally significant organization and advancing the impact of music and arts in community, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit your resume and cover letter. All inquiries and applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.