Organization: 500 Festival, Inc. | 500 Festival Foundation

Position Title: President & Chief Executive Officer

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Search Contact: Prodigy Search

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BACKGROUND

The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit community organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the greatest race in the world. Over the past 60+ years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation. Each year, 500,000 Hoosiers and visitors participate in festival activities throughout the month of May ranging from one of the largest running events in the world, the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon to one of the most respected parades in the country, the AES 500 Festival Parade.

No other singular sporting event in the world has a legacy like the Indianapolis 500. No other event has shaped and defined a city and state and its people like the Indianapolis 500.

The 500 Festival Foundation was established in 1996. The Foundation is comprised of civic and business leaders committed to supporting the 500 Festival’s mission to enrich lives and have a positive community impact while celebrating the Indy 500. The Foundation has a specific interest in the advancement of the 500 Festival’s youth initiatives. From college scholarships for Indiana’s brightest college leaders to a free curriculum for our state’s fourth-grade classrooms to a free program designed to combat childhood obesity and teach kids the importance of leading a healthy, active lifestyle – the 500 Festival Foundation’s investments help enhance the education of Indiana’s youth and provide a calendar of community activities that invite the participation of all Hoosiers and showcase Indianapolis on a global stage.

SUMMARY

As the leader of both organizations, the role requires an energetic, outgoing, and strategic-minded executive. This role is responsible for directing the Festival in our efforts to produce unparalleled events and programs, grow corporate support and sponsorship, build our foundation, market our offerings, increase community engagement, and professionally manage relationships with Penske Entertainment, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and key community stakeholders

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The 500 Festival is a 501-c-4 nonprofit organization that operates all of the festival events and programs. 18-20 full-time staff, 33 board directors (matching the # of drivers in the Indy 500), 12 interns and over 2,000 volunteers putting on events and programs for over 500,000 participants.

The 500 Festival Foundation is a 501-c-3 nonprofit supporting organization that fundraises for the 500 Festival, there are 18 board directors and no full-time staff but rather the Festival CEO serves as the director of both organizations and Festival staff fill various roles as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Executive Leadership: Demonstrate proven executive leadership experience, with a dedication to community-minded servant leadership. You must establish a reputation as a decisive yet collaborative leader who is highly skilled in setting direction, creating alignment, and putting the success of others before the success of yourself.
• Strategic Planning & Vision: Work with the board to define a clear vision for the Festival’s future and to develop appropriate goals and strategies that advance the organization’s mission. Experience with strategic planning and organizational development is essential.
• Fundraising & Sponsorships: Demonstrate previous success in the areas of sales, sponsorships, and fundraising. A critical component of this role is connecting stakeholder outcomes to program opportunities, selling the 500 Festival’s programs, and finding innovative ways to grow financial support for the Festival.
• Marketing & Communications: Market and promote products and services to diverse groups. To do this, you must be able to communicate well and deliver engaging and effective presentations. Experience in media relations will be highly beneficial.
• Financial Stewardship: Prepare the budget and work with the board to develop appropriate fundraising and financial development strategies, utilizing the organization’s goals and strategic plan as a basis for sound financial planning. You must possess and apply astute business and analytical skills to ensure a successful future for the Festival. The president and CEO also oversees the 500 Festival Foundation, with its own board, programming, and assets; you must serve as a committed steward of the foundation and grow its potential.
• Operations Management: Ensure that the organization maintains robust internal operating procedures in the areas of finance, fundraising, budget, development, marketing, safety, security, and programming. It’s important that you develop new insights into situations and apply creative solutions to make organizational improvements.
• Event Production & Innovation: Understand, advocate, and strongly defend quality production of events. You must have the vision to keep events relevant, and you must possess the innovation required to introduce new events that matter. A background in events/entertainment/sports management is helpful.
• Stakeholder Relations: Establish and maintain positive relationships with the many groups that support or are involved in the work of the organization (e.g., the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, sponsors, volunteers, media partners, and other community support groups and/or agencies).
• Community Engagement: Collaborate with a diverse group of community stakeholders, gaining their trust, confidence, and respect; you must be able to build consensus among stakeholders with varying interests and objectives.
• Public & Civic Presence: Be an active leader in the civic, business, and cultural life of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana in order to build the Festival’s reputation, increase visibility for its programs, and grow audiences. To do this role justice, you must have the energy to work a demanding schedule, including nights and weekends with some travel.
• Talent & Culture: Nurture a high-engagement culture where talented people want to work, volunteer, and give of their abilities.
• Be prepared to fill any open senior staff position when vacated until they can be filled by a replacement.
• Develop strategy for and recruit new board directors.
• Serve as key salesperson for major sponsorships.
• Serve as the face of the organization to include numerous public speaking engagements and media interviews.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Founded in 2007, Prodigy Search, located in the New York City suburb of Freehold, NJ, boasts over 80 years of experience in the sports and entertainment business. As a renowned nationwide leader in senior-level executive search, Prodigy Search has honed its business principles and expertise, establishing itself as one of the largest boutique recruiting agencies in North America.

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