Executive Director

ART CENTER WACO

Executive Director

About the position:

The Executive Director (ED) has overall strategic and operational responsibility for all aspects of Art Center of Waco and reports to the Art Center of Waco Board of Directors. The ED works with Art Center of Waco’s Board to refine and implement the vision, values and strategic and annual plans established by the Board. The ED will ensure there is a constant and smooth flow of communication among external partners, stakeholders, board members, corporate partners, Art Center of Waco members and donors, and will act as a liaison among these various constituencies. The ED will cultivate existing relationships with strategic partners and public and private funders, including key relationships with economic development groups, city councils and new potential partners. The ED is responsible for creating a pipeline for bringing new talent and strategic relationships into the art community. This person will support the culture and growth of the strong creative and art sector in Waco, and their success will depend significantly on their ability to work effectively with a broad array of partners and populations.

Responsibilities:

The ED will be responsible for successfully collaborating, fundraising, leading staff, and programming to facilitate long-term sustainability of the organization.

• Leadership: Promote a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and diversity. Oversee and manage programs, events, expansions, member activities and all operational services. Develop a broad and deep knowledge of all programs to ensure impact of mission. Act as a key resource and educator regarding the current state of Waco’s art sector and ecosystem among many constituencies.  Publicly represent Art Center of Waco with external constituency groups, including community, governmental and private organizations, and build awareness around Art Center of Waco’s brand and mission. This includes media opportunities, public speaking engagements, etc.
• Staff Operations: The ED will be expected to directly manage, support, and lead all staff while reporting to the board on issues of staffing and personnel. Develop and implement a staffing plan for the organization and will recruit, hire, develop and coach all Art Center of Waco employees.
• Programs: Collaborate with the Exhibits Committee to identify, develop and recruit leading artists and exhibits. Also oversee educational programs, speakers, mentors, capital resources and public media opportunities. Manage the Art Center of Waco space.
• Finance and Fundraising: Manage all aspects of the organization’s business, including donations, corporate records, and tax filings. Prepare and manage an annual operational budget, manage effectively within this budget and report accurately and proactively on progress made and challenges encountered.  Cultivate and secure sponsors and grants. Maintain existing relationships with funders, donors, and sponsors to secure and expand recurring revenue streams. Track all sponsors, gifts, and obligations, cultivate a close relationship with sponsors, develop a sponsorship pipeline, etc.

The ED will also be expected to:

• Attend monthly board meetings and deliver reports.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Provide leadership of our continuing capital campaign
• Assure our accreditation with AAM as soon as practical
• Travel occasionally and coordinate trips for the Board and key constituencies to attend conferences and site visits.

REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/TRAINING:

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree.
• A minimum of five years of senior level management or art program organization experience is required.
• Successful resource development, fundraising, grant-writing, and other philanthropic experience.
• A solid knowledge of accounting, budgeting, financial management and marketing.
• Extensive experience in leading the process of ongoing strategic planning.
• Extensive experience in public speaking/public relations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in related field
• Experience working with a Board of Directors
• Connections to the local community
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Significant experience in a major public-private partnership.
• Experience managing a physical space.
• An entrepreneurial spirit, preferably including experience developing and implementing public-private partnerships to achieve community-wide social and economic goals.
• Experience as an artist or in the arts community.

Salary is competitive with similar positions in the field.  Compensation will be commensurate with talent and experience and will be suited to a senior leadership level professional in the rapidly expanding Waco economy.

Interested applicants should a send resume, cover letter and salary requirements to the Board Chair, Jeremy Vickers at Jeremy_Vickers@baylor.edu who will organize and forward to the selection committee.  Candidates selected for final interviews will be asked to complete one or more talent assessments and submit a salary history.