Posted: April 7, 2010

Location: New York

Position: Program, Fund raising, Executive

Field: Advocacy, Arts

Salary: Unspecified

Website: http://www.aaartsalliance.org

Category:
Grant making, Government relations and advocacy, Program administration and management, Other programs, Managing volunteers, Corporate and foundation relations, Donor relations, Prospect research, Major gifts, Grant seeking, Other fund raising, Capital campaigns, Special events, Grant administration, Community outreach, Executive

Employment Level: Full Time

The Asian American Arts Alliance ("A4") is seeking dynamic applicants for our open position of Executive Director. The new Executive Director will lead A4 into our next critical stage of development and growth. The ideal candidate is someone who will maintain the proud legacy of one of the oldest pan-Asian arts organizations in New York City, build on our sound financial strength, and guide us to new, innovative, 21st century arts initiatives.

THE ORGANIZATION:

Since 1984, the Asian American Arts Alliance ("A4") has sought to unify, promote and represent the artistic and cultural producers of one of New York City's fastest-growing ethnic populations. A4 is a diverse alliance of artists, organizations, and arts supporters who believe that working together as a pan-Asian, multi-disciplinary community is essential to nurturing the development of artists and arts organizations, and to providing a political voice for this community.

Our mission is to strengthen Asian American arts and cultural groups through visibility initiatives, and access to funding and new resources. A4 designs smart and creative ways to build resources for the local Asian American arts community. Programs and services offer both individual artists and their organizations resources for work opportunities, funding, and audiences.

Public Forums & Networking include monthly Town Halls that bring together the community of artists and professionals to meet, share news and find collaborators. These gatherings result in new collaborations between artists, artists finding funding opportunities, participants attending each others' events, and presenters hiring artists.

Workshops include professional development programs such as Brainstorm!, a series of workshops about earned income tools for artists. Other workshops provide opportunities for artists and managers to meet funders, gain skills and network with peers in the field.

Research, Information Dissemination & Promotions include various information-based tools to increase the visibility of Asian American artists and organizations such our web directory of artist profiles and our e-calendar of Asian American arts events. Biweekly e-news offer readers the latest arts news and discounts to New York City-area performances, screenings, exhibits and other events featuring Alliance member artists and organizations. Alliance also conducts research to bring to light the needs and successes of this extraordinarily vibrant and diverse artistic community.

THE POSITION:

We are seeking a visionary and dynamic Executive Director who will elevate our profile among, and forge new connections with, members of the larger arts community - including artists, donors, funders, and other constituents, in order to increase our resources and better serve the needs of artists working in New York City.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced non-profit professional to combine one's passion with one's livelihood. A4 is an established, well-run and funded organization with a proud past that is looking to strengthen its influence into the future. It enjoys the support of a committed and active Board of Directors.

A4 offers a competitive salary, major medical coverage, a 403 (b) retirement plan, and paid time off.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities Program Strategy and Management: Create the vision and direction for programs and oversee their development, execution, and evaluation

Marketing and Promoting A4: Represent and advocate for A4 in diverse public and private arenas and seek creative outreach opportunities to elevate A4 â??s brand in the community. Provide the primary external face for the organization. Form new connections within the larger Asian American community in New York City.

Strategic Planning: Work with the Board of Directors to revise and hone the organization's strategic plan, and ensure that the efforts of the organization support the plan. Assess the success of A4's activities against outcomes defined by the plan.

Institutional and Individual Donor Development: Strategically develop additional sources for private and public institutional funding. Maintain and grow current funding relationships. Create compelling and timely proposals, and submit documentation. Develop a strategy for enlarging the individual donor base and increase donations. Build outreach efforts to individual donors and foster new donor cultivation.

Event Planning and Management: Use strong planning, project management and organizational skills to develop and implement an annual fundraising gala, as well as donor cultivation events. Responsible for developing all organizational plans, securing commitments from honorees and vendors and partnering with the Board's Fundraising Committee.

Financial and Benefits Plans Management: Manage the $335K annual budget and related financial recordkeeping and reporting to ensure accuracy and a proper audit control environment. Administer staff payroll and benefits plans, and contractor payments.

People Leadership: Select, develop and lead the 6-person team of staff, consultants and interns, and cultivate a high performance organization. Create an active volunteer base.

Governance: Leverage the resources and talent of the Board of Directors to fulfill the organization's larger goals. Includes being the intermediary between the staff responsible for operational workings of the organization and the Board, as well as facilitating actions towards goal setting, fundraising and program development. Provide the Board with relevant information and insights to support strategic planning process and implementation of sound governance practices. Ensure alignment of programming and operations with strategic goals.

Office Management: Maintain and upgrade technology infrastructure to better serve the needs of the organization and constituents. Monitor and protect the integrity of one of the organization's most valuable assets - the member and donor databases (METRIX), as well as financial records, physical assets and archival information.

THE CANDIDATE:

Qualifications

At least five years' leadership or equivalent experience in a nonprofit arts or Asian American organization ideally undergoing growth and change

Deep understanding of the issues and needs of the Asian arts community and experience giving voice or advocating for underserved constituents

Excellent marketing and promotional skills demonstrating creativity and resourcefulness

A proven track record of fundraising and evidence of entrepreneurial planning and experience. Including fundraising with large and small, public and private funders, organizations, government agencies, and individual donor cultivation, ideally in and for the arts

Vision and experience in programming that has elevated an organization's profile and reflected the mission of the organization

Outstanding communication skills and the ability to interact seamlessly with the Board, funders, donors, shared interest groups and the diverse constituents of A4. Superior verbal and written communications skills

Deft organizational skills - ensuring the smooth running of operations and further maximization of resources

Financial acumen, familiarity with QuickBooks Pro, and the experience and ability to manage financial audits. Superior analytical skills.

A strong record of supervision, and proven ability to hire, develop and retain a team that is highly motivated and engaged to fulfill organizational goals

Familiarity with new technologies and social media, a plus

Multiple language skills desirable

Qualities desired:

The right candidate will share A4's values of community, collaboration and responsiveness. The individual will display sensitivity in interacting with multiple audiences and yet be effective in articulating strong opinions and willing to take risks to become more innovative. The candidate will be comfortable navigating groups, organizations and governmental agencies that may have differing agendas.

THE APPLICATION:

The Asian American Arts Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer/M/F/D/V. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. Though we welcome applicants from outside the New York area, no travel expenses or relocation compensation is offered.

No third party recruiters please.

Qualified and interested candidates, please be sure to submit your answers to following brief questionnaire, cover letter and your CV to A4EDresumes@gmail.com.

Asian American Arts Alliance
Executive Director - Candidate Questionnaire
(500 total word limit - please)