Executive Director Position
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Reports to: VisArts Board of Directors
Position Overview:
The Executive Director is the leadership position of the Visual Arts Center, a major nonprofit arts organization in Richmond, Virginia, which has significant regional and national visibility. They will be a strong and inspirational leader to the diverse stakeholders of VisArts, helping to set a clear direction for the organization and continue the decades-long success of the center as it celebrates its 60th anniversary year. The Executive Director will implement and enhance the organization’s strategic goals, support and sustain fundraising initiatives and programming, oversee programmatic decisions and development, and lead the staff for the successful day-to-day operation of the Center. They will be a positive role model for the organization, valuing diversity and collaboration and fostering an organization that is inclusive and equitable.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as a creative force and advocate for the organization within the local arts community and beyond. This position devotes significant time to being in the community creating and growing VisArts’ image with a variety of constituents. These may include community leaders, donors, artists, and other directors of artistic and cultural organizations. The Executive Director will be expected to build solid relationships with staff, board, donors, artists and community leaders.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Serve as a leader in developing and promoting VisArts as a recognized leader within the regional arts community, including making critical programming decisions and creating and executing a comprehensive strategic plan with staff.
- Provide creative and inspirational direction to all employees, especially the senior leadership team and other direct reports, to sustain the continued development and management of a professional and efficient organization.
- Create and promote a positive, inclusive, and equitable work environment that attracts, retains, supports, and motivates a diverse staff. The director will collaborate with staff to strengthen internal communication and collaboration throughout the organization and ensures annual performance evaluations are completed.
- Support the creation of an engaged, diverse, and inclusive Board of Directors that represents the communities served by VisArts. Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with this group to ensure open communication about progress of organizational goals and that the budget, staff, and priorities are aligned with center’s mission. The Director will serve as ex-officio of each board committee, seeking to build board involvement with strategic direction and daily operations.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will be passionate about the mission of the Visual Art Center and possess the following qualifications:
- Background within the visual arts or previous experience working within the art sector.
- A successful track record of leadership in an arts-related organization and a strong understanding of educational programming and/or significant senior management experience with an educational institution or community nonprofit.
- Excellent communication skills and strong public speaking ability.
- Passion and ability for developing and maintaining long-term relationships that will enhance the artistic, educational, and financial goals of the organization.
- A solid track record of seeing projects through to successful completion.
- Proven experience and success in fundraising.
- Understanding of fiscal management, particularly with nonprofit finance.
- Skilled at using leadership and delegation, combined with a personal and inclusive management style, to build VisArts’ base of volunteer support, optimize staff resources and faculty relationships.
- A willingness to live in the Richmond area and to participate actively in local arts events and VisArts robust schedule of activities and events during weekdays, evenings and weekends. An undergraduate degree is required; an advanced degree (MA, MBA, MFA etc.) is desirable. Experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
Supervisory Responsibility
All full-time, part-time, and contracted staff at VisArts, with several direct reports.
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment as well as studio spaces and classrooms. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones and photocopiers. Must have a driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required and attendance at local and regional events during evenings and weekends will be expected throughout the year.
Travel
Occasional travel will be required both locally and regionally.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
EEO / AA Statement
Visual Arts of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Visual Arts of Richmond complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.