Executive Director of Pacers Foundation

At Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E), we are dedicated to delivering best-in-class sports and entertainment experiences while making a positive impact on our community. As the home of the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, Noblesville Boom, Pacers Foundation, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the WNBA 2025 All Star Weekend, we strive to exemplify our core values of Respect, Teamwork, Trust, Passion, and Excellence in everything we do. Our mission is to create memorable moments for our fans and foster a culture of inclusivity and excellence both on and off the court. Our purpose is Winning, Serving, and Entertaining.

JOB SUMMARY
The Pacers Foundation seeks a dynamic Executive Director who embodies the unique combination of visionary leader and hands-on executor to drive our mission of transforming lives across Indiana. This role demands someone who is equally comfortable crafting high-level strategy as a thought partner with the Senior Vice President of Community Engagement and rolling up their sleeves to ensure flawless administrative execution. As both architect and builder of the Foundation's fundraising goals, the Executive Director will need to seamlessly transition between strategic thinking and tactical implementation of key priorities of the Foundation.

The ideal candidate will execute the day-to-day operations while managing a Program Coordinator. The Executive Director will engage cross departmentally in the organization to ideate and execute innovative revenue generating opportunities for the Foundation. This dual focus ensures that strategic vision translates into measurable community impact. We're looking for someone who leads by example, understands that no task is too small when it serves the mission, and can inspire others through both words and actions. This individual has demonstrated background in the execution of high impact philanthropy and clear understanding of the State of Indiana.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Direct Implementation

• Shape and execute the Foundation's strategic vision, personally engaging in both high-level planning and ground-level execution
• Lead a dedicated staff while actively participating in program delivery and community engagement
• Partner with executive leadership & team ownership to develop strategic priorities while ensuring their successful implementation
• Directly manage key relationships while building scalable systems for future growth

Community Impact & Personal Engagement

• Build and maintain high-level partnerships while personally attending community events and program activities
• Design innovative funding strategies and actively participate in their execution
• Oversee grant-making strategy while maintaining direct relationships with key grantees
• Serve as the Foundation's public face while remaining deeply connected to community needs and program outcomes

Program Leadership & Operations

• Drive the strategic direction of signature programs like NBA Math Hoops while participating in their delivery
• Create impact measurement frameworks and personally review program effectiveness
• Guide technological integration while maintaining hands-on familiarity with key systems

Organizational Excellence & Daily Operations

• Foster cross-departmental collaboration while maintaining direct involvement in key initiatives
• Drive marketing strategy while contributing to content creation and community storytelling
• Develop operational systems while maintaining awareness of day-to-day challenges and opportunities
• Balance big-picture thinking with attention to daily details

Leadership Style

• Natural ability to alternate between strategic thinking and hands-on execution
• Comfortable leading from the front while working alongside team members
• Excellence in both high-level communication and day-to-day team collaboration
• Demonstrated ability to inspire others through both vision and example

The Executive Director must embrace a flexible schedule, including regular presence at Pacers and Fever home games, active participation in Foundation events, and hands-on involvement in the community. This role requires someone who can seamlessly transition from board meetings to community events to program execution.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily and with great attention to detail. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required for this position. Applicants must have:

• Impeccable organizational and multi-tasking skills
• Self-starting capabilities, to initiate projects and/or programs
• Collaboration skills to lead future growth of the Foundation
• The ability to engage internal and external stakeholders thoughtfully and with utmost integrity
• Deep understanding of Indiana's community needs, backed by direct experience in local philanthropy
• Strong financial and operational management skills with hands on program experience
• Innovator who is great at critical thinking and execution
• In-depth knowledge of corporate social responsibility and corporate giving programs
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to build authentic working relationships
• Ability to influence without authority
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Ability to deliver measurable results under tight deadlines
• Resolve issues and implement solutions
• Demonstrated ability to inspire and empower others
• Expertise in both developing and implementing impact measurement systems
• This position is required to work a varied schedule including evenings and weekends as well as attend events on site and at various locations throughout Indianapolis and the state of IN.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• 8+ years of relevant professional experience, preferably in marketing, communications, public relations, corporate social responsibility, social science, or non-profit development/management
• Master's degree in a relevant field preferred
• Sports organization experience preferred, with understanding of both business and community impact
• Experience building and negotiating partnerships and alliances
• Experience collaborating with executives, steering committees, volunteer advisors
• Experience with public agencies and other policy makers preferred
• Experience working individually and in a team environment
• Experience volunteering with, working for or supporting non-profit work
• Experience coordinating special events
• Experience creating and delivering engaging training with both adult and youth learners
• Experience running in-person and online events

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret instructions and reports. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from Director, Manager, Clients, Sponsors, Season Ticket Holders, Customers, and the Public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Knowledge to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as basic mathematical concepts and analyzing costs & budgets.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret directions. Ability to multi-task, working on several programs and projects at once.

PROBLEM SOLVING REQUIREMENTS

Employee must make quick and independent decisions within the policies and procedures of the Community Engagement Department of Pacers Sports & Entertainment and must understand Pacers Sports & Entertainment corporate structure, policies, and procedures. Employee must exercise discretion and independent judgement in handling confidential issues involving players and coaches.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to: sit, stand, walk, reach, lift, move heavy objects, climb, stoop/crouch, be exposed to loud noises, extreme heat, or cold, wet conditions, use a computer, 10-key calculator, and speak, hear, and write

COMPUTER SKILLS

Employee should have a knowledge of all Windows Applications including Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, as well as Adobe Photoshop.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate.
• The noise level in Gainbridge Fieldhouse/game environment is usually loud.
• The stress level may become high during certain times of the year.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, marital status, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.