Exceptional Minds
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
THE ORGANIZATION
Exceptional Minds is a nonprofit provider of work readiness training and career placement services for one of the most underemployed groups: people with autism. Based in Los Angeles, where entertainment and digital media make up about two-thirds of the county’s huge creative economy, Exceptional Minds helps people with autism pursue career tracks in digital arts – including animation, visual effects, 3D gaming, and more. The flagship program, the Academy, offers sequential training that leaves young artists with autism fully qualified to work in these fields. Exceptional Minds now serves more than 300 individuals with autism each year. Its Academy achieves a 98 percent graduation rate; its Studio directly employs 15-25 artists at any given time; and all graduates have access to ongoing continuing education, career coaching services, and the Exceptional Minds Alumni Association.
Since 2017, Exceptional Minds has offered more than $1.4 million in tuition assistance to low-income families – making participation in Exceptional Minds programming possible for over 2,000 individual artists with autism, whose talents may otherwise have gone undeveloped. The annual operating budget is about $4.5 million. For more information about Exceptional Minds, visit: https://exceptional-minds.org/.
THE POSITION
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the highest-ranking executive responsible for the overall success of Exceptional Minds. Reporting to a 12-member Board of Directors, the CEO will oversee the Academy and the Studios including a full-time team of 30 employees. The direct reports to the CEO are the Directors of Finance, Development, Academic Programs, Studio Programs – VFX, Studio Programs – Animation, and People and Culture.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain complex and multifaceted strategic and financial partnerships.
- An understanding of how to collaborate with the entertainment industry and adjacent fields.
- Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and fundraising efforts.
- Proven leadership and management experience in a mission-driven organization, preferably in autism, education, and/or media and technology sectors.
- Relevant experience and commitment to workforce development or career training for individuals on the autism spectrum or underrepresented communities.
- Demonstrated ability to engage authentically with, and advocate for, neurodiverse communities, ensuring their voices inform strategic and programmatic decisions.
- A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
COMPENSATION & ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
The annual salary range for this position is $225,000-250,000. Relocation assistance, if needed, is negotiable. A comprehensive and competitive benefits package will be provided.
Exceptional Minds is an equal-opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Exceptional Minds will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform critical job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
TO APPLY:
Exceptional Minds has retained Morris & Berger to conduct the CEO search. To view the full position description, please visit https://pub.marq.com/morrisberger_2262/. To apply, please submit an application, including a resume and a letter of interest, in confidence to Morris & Berger through their website: https://morrisberger.com/position/?id=2262.