Miami, Florida

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with deep local roots in 26 Knight communities across America. We believe arts and culture create connection and vibrancy in communities and demonstrate a crucial form of free expression. We seek to cultivate dynamic and resilient arts ecosystems built for long-lasting sustainability. 

The Director/Arts position will play a key leadership role in co-developing and executing strategies that strengthen both the social and infrastructure dimensions of the arts ecosystem. They will serve as a connector, strategist, and steward of relationships, working closely with artists, cultural leaders, municipal partners, and other funders across Knight’s eight core cities.

If you are a systems thinker and bridge-builder, someone with a deep understanding of the arts as a catalyst for civic revitalization, community resilience, and equitable economic opportunity, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Strategic Execution & Collaboration

Partner closely with the Vice President, Arts, and the extended arts team to execute Knight’s vision to advance cultural vibrancy and economic mobility.
Identify and pursue arts opportunities at the intersections of agency, resilience and connection to amplify community impact.
Co-develop and implement strategies for investments that integrate cultural programming with infrastructure development.
Drive impact by focusing grantmaking on measurable outcomes that are aligned to strategy.
Oversee the assessment, evaluation and recommendation of all grants in your portfolio.

Program Development & Management

Co-design and manage programs that support artist sustainability, movement-building, and ecosystem-centered cultural work—through convenings, cross-city learning exchanges, and brain trusts.
Collaboratively manage funding portfolios that strengthen both cultural ecosystems and the physical infrastructure that supports them.

Relationship Building & Field Leadership

Cultivate relationships with arts and culture leaders, artists, cultural intermediaries, municipal partners, and cross-sector networks critical to thriving ecosystems.
Advance policy-relevant strategies that promote community-driven placemaking and placekeeping in Knight cities.
Synthesize arts program insights and share learnings with peers and partners to influence national dialogue on the intersections of information, economic mobility, and cultural vitality.

Evaluation, Learning & Public Engagement

Monitor grantee progress and surface cross-city insights to inform Knight’s learning agenda and public thought leadership.
Partner with Knight Community Impact colleagues to align arts and culture investments with broader local strategies.
Represent the foundation at convenings and in public forums, sharing how cultural investments contribute to thriving, informed, and connected communities.

Things We Look For: 

Professional Experience

10–12 years of progressive leadership experience in arts, culture, philanthropy, or related fields.
Proven track record of developing and managing large-scale cultural programs or grant portfolios.
Experience working with and across diverse communities, including artist-led, grassroots, and institutional partners.

Skills & Knowledge

Deep understanding of the arts, arts ecosystems, cultural infrastructure, and their intersections with civic life and economic impact.
Strong strategic thinking and program design skills, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
Exceptional relationship-building skills across sectors and stakeholder groups.
Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills; comfortable representing Knight in public forums.

Personal Attributes

Collaborative, adaptive, and solutions-oriented leadership style.
Commitment to Knight’s mission and values, with a passion for the role of arts and culture in shaping thriving communities.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.

Our hiring salary range for this role is $150,000 – $180,000.

Knight Foundation supports a more effective democracy by funding free expression and journalism, arts and culture in community, research in areas of media and democracy, and the success of American cities and towns where the Knight brothers once published newspapers.

Our approach is inclusive and nonpartisan. We value freedom of speech and the press, and we often embrace new and innovative technology to achieve our goals. Our drive to create positive change is amplified by our ability to collaborate internally and with our partners. We look for authenticity, agility, and accountability, knowing we are at our best when we leverage our collective strengths and experiences. We proactively approach our work with a sense of pride and responsibility–adapting, as needed, to the changing realities in our communities. 

Knight Foundation offers competitive pay and a generous benefits package and is an equal opportunity employer.

Please send your resume and cover letter to: [email protected]

For more on Knight Foundation, visit www.kf.org.