The Essex Art Center (EAC) in Lawrence, MA is searching for a new Executive Director. This position will remain posted and open until February 28.

Job Opening: Essex Art Center Executive Director

The Executive Director serves as the General Manager of Essex Art Center. The ED reports to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. In program development and administration, the ED will:

Specific responsibilities:

1. Assure that the organization has a long-range strategy which achieves its mission, and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress.
2. Provide leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff, and carry out plans and policies authorized by the board.
3. Promote active and broad participation by volunteers in all areas of the Art Center’s work.
4. Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
5. Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field to assure that EAC is current and relevant.

In communications;

1. See that the board is kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it.
2. Publicize the activities of the organization, its programs and goals, utilizing all contemporary technologies.
3. Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and organizations.
4. Represent the programs and point of view of the organization to agencies, organizations, and the general public.

In relations with staff;

1. Be responsible for the recruitment, employment, and release of all personnel, both paid , staff, and volunteers.
2. Ensure that job descriptions are developed, that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place.
3. Encourage staff and volunteer development and education, and assist program staff in relating their specialized work to the total program of the organization through effective teamwork.
4. Maintain a climate which attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of top quality people.

In Fundraising, Financial Goals and budgeting;

1. Be responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices.
2. Work with the staff, Finance Committee, and the board in preparing a budget: see that the organization operates within budget guidelines.
3. Ensure that adequate funds, through grant writing, events, annual appeal and other means are available to permit the organization to carry out its work.
4. Jointly, with the president and secretary of the board of directors, conduct official correspondence of the organization, and jointly, with designated officers, execute legal documents.

Qualifications

• The ED will be thoroughly committed to Essex Art Center’s mission. All candidates should have proven leadership, coaching, and relationship management experience. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:
• BA degree, ideally in the arts
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation
• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget
• Past success working with a Board of Directors with the ability to cultivate existing board member relationships
• Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience, ie grant writing with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning.
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people
• Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed
• Strong skill set in utilizing current technologies.

If you have these qualifications and wish to apply for this position, please email your resumé to Sara Hidalgo atsara@essexartcenter.org. No phone calls, please. Resumes will be accepted until January 31, 2014.