The Arts Council of Fairfax County (ACFC) is recruiting for a dynamic President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to provide overall leadership and management for the daily operations of the Arts Council insuring its viability and adherence to its vision, mission and strategic plan. This position is responsible for the organization’s administration, marketing, financial management, community relations, program development and execution, human resources management, and, in collaboration with the Board of Directors, its fund raising and strategic direction.
The successful candidate will have 10 years of significant successful experience in the following areas: arts management, arts administration, or a related field in the arts; development and fundraising; planning, management and execution of special events and programs; significant non-profit board organization and management; creation and sustainment of relationships between arts organizations, governmental and political entities and public affairs/media representatives; and effective management of staff, employees and volunteers.
Excellent writing and communication skills are required. The individual who is selected must be highly organized and able to prioritize multiple tasks and responsibilities, and familiar with personnel and human relations practices and standards in the arts. Skills in working in a complex environment in which CEO must be responsive “upward” to a board of directors, “laterally” to a significant number of stakeholders and volunteers, and “downward” to a staff are essential. The position supervises ACFC staff, accountant, and contracted support.
The ACFC is looking to select a person who possesses a dynamic, creative, and energetic personality who can inspire both the arts and non-arts community, and has a deep dedication to and appreciation of the arts and the ability to convey such enthusiasm to others.
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to visual or performing arts administration or management is required. Salary is commensurate upon experience.
Qualified candidates should submit a resume no later than Friday, November 13, 2009 to:
Dr. Gerald L. Gordon
President and CEO
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
8300 Boone Boulevard, Suite 450
Vienna, VA 22182
Resumes also may be faxed to Dr. Gordon’s attention at (703) 893-1269.
No phone calls please.
President/CEO Job DescriptionJOB TITLE: President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
REPORTS TO: Chairman of the Board of Directors on behalf of the Board of Directors
SUPERVISES: ACFC staff, accountant, and contracted support
JOB SUMMARY: The President/CEO provides overall leadership and management of the daily operations of the Arts Council of Fairfax County (ACFC), insuring its viability and adherence to its vision, mission and strategic plan. The President/CEO has primary responsibility for the organization’s administration, marketing, financial management, community relations, program development and execution, human resources management, and, in collaboration with the Board of Directors, its fund raising and strategic direction.
CONTEXT. The Arts Council of Fairfax County is a non-profit corporation (501.c.3) that serves as the lead agency for representing, coordinating and advocating for the arts in Fairfax County. It is funded primarily by the County, with additional funding raised for specific activities, consistent with the ACFC mission.
MISSION (of the ACFC): The Arts Council is the recognized voice of the arts in Fairfax County, dedicated to fostering a dynamic and diverse local arts presence and participation. We ensure that artists and the arts thrive by providing vision, leadership, advocacy, funding, education and capacity building.
Responsibilities and Job Duties
Board of Directors (Board)
• Maintains a strong and positive working relationship with the Board of Directors as a whole as well as with individual Board members, to include that all Board members are kept fully apprised of the Board’s and the Arts Council’s activities.
• Helps Board chair plan agendas and develop background materials for meetings of the Board of Directors.
• Staffs the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee and provides staff support to other board committees as needed.
• Ensures that appropriate minutes or summary notes are maintained of Board and Executive Committee meetings.
• Ensures compliance with and implementation of Board policies.
• Assists in the development of the Board and the recruitment and orientation of new Board members.
• Serves as ex officio member of all Board committees.
Financial Management
• Works effectively with the staff and Board in the development of a realistic annual budget.
• Runs the organization in a fiscally responsible manner within the Board-approved budget and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; supervises the accountant in the creation and maintenance of financial controls and management systems, the creation of financial reports and the regular monitoring of income and expense.
• Approves all contracts and program expenditures consistent with ACFC policy guidelines.
• Ensures that the short and long-term working capital and financial management needs of the Arts Council are adequately addressed.
Strategic Planning and Execution
• In collaboration with the Board, leads the creation, implementation, and updating of a strategic plan.
• Develops annual work plans in support of the strategic plan.
• Facilitates communication and effective teamwork among the board, staff, and other stakeholders to ensure the achievement of institutional goals.
• Is informed about the broader issue concerning arts and public policy, and trends affecting nonprofit organizations, the arts, and the field.
• Establishes means of measuring progress toward the objectives of the strategic plan and reports on progress periodically to the full Board.
Fundraising
• In support of the Development Committee, proposes realistic, but ambitious fundraising plans and goals.
• Has lead responsibility for grant solicitation, consistent with development plan.
• Develops positive relationships with donors with attention to the cultivation of major supporters.
• Develops and implements all development materials, grant requests, and the individual giving campaign.
• Maintains and coordinates effective use of fundraising databases.
• Works with the Board of Directors in developing and achieving annual and long-range financial goals; assumes a strong management role in identifying, cultivating and soliciting gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations the public sector and other sources.
Advocacy and Community Relations
• Establishes effective working relations with community groups, organizations and non- profit groups in Fairfax County, including Fairfax County agencies.
• Sustains positive working relationships with relevant elected officials and supporters, with special attention to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (typically in collaboration with the chairman of the Board)
• Provides a high degree of community and regional visibility by serving, along with the Board chair, as the chief spokesperson, establishing and strengthening partnerships.
• Works collaboratively with other organizations, public and private, for profit and not-for- profit, to develop mutually beneficial programs.
• Serves on local, regional and state boards and is known as the “face” of the Arts Council.
• Advocates for favorable arts policies, funding for artists and arts organizations, arts education, public art programs, and cultural facilities in Fairfax County.
• Responds to media inquiries in a professional and timely manner.
• Initiates contact with media organizations as appropriate to achieve outreach and/ or advocacy goals.
• Partners with Board Chair as appropriate to ensure consistent messaging with media relations and/ or in the public arena.
Personnel and Administration
• Develops and executes appropriate personnel policies that are based on best practices in the arts non-profit community and are consistent with Fairfax County personnel practices.
• Researches and secures appropriate technology as needed.
• Manages all day-to-day administration (contracting, insurance, operating policies, and procedures); works with staff to assure effective operations and the timely accomplishments of goals, tasks, and projects.
• Maintains office policies and procedures and ensures staff and Board compliance.
• Maintains official records and documents.
• Oversees the management of office facilities negotiates lease as needed.
• Makes effective use of paid staff, contractors, interns, and volunteers.
• Maintains a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates quality people throughout the organization.
• Oversees the recruitment, employment and release of all personnel, both paid staff and volunteers, as authorized in the annual operating budget of the ACFC. Ensures that job descriptions are developed, that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place.
• Executes legal documents and compliance effectively, including compliance with donor restrictions and reserve designations.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
Marketing
• Assures successful marketing of the ACFC.
• Contributes to the development and execution of creative promotional campaigns to increase membership.
Programming
• Oversees the creation and management of programs to ensure compliance with the mission, the priorities of the Board, strategic goals and objectives, and ACFC’s policies.
• Promotes staff collaboration in developing successful programs.
• Monitors the day-to-day delivery of the programs and services of the Arts Council to maintain or improve quality.
Prerequisites
Education
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in field relevant to visual or performing arts administration or management.
• Prior attendance at arts management courses or professional development seminars in arts administration or management.
Experience
• A minimum of 10 years of significant experience in arts management, arts administration, or a related field in the visual or performing arts.
• Successful development and fundraising for non-profit arts organizations, including corporate, capital, and membership campaigns.
• Successful planning, management, and execution of special events and programs.
• Significant non-profit board organization and management.
• Creating, building, and sustaining public affairs/media/marketing relationships.
• Creating, building, and sustaining relationships between the arts organizations and governmental and political entities and representatives.
• Creating, building, and sustaining relationships between arts organizations and the private/corporate community.
• Successful preparation and administration of funding grants and proposals.
• Successful advocacy and communications on behalf of arts organizations.
• Effective administration and management of staff, employees, and volunteers.
Attributes/Skills
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Highly organized and able to prioritize multiple tasks and responsibilities.
• Familiar with basic personnel and human relations practices and standards in the arts industry.
• Skilled at working in a complex environment in which CEO must be responsive “upward” to a board of directors, “laterally” to a significant number of stakeholders and volunteers, and “downward” to a staff.
• A dynamic, creative, and energetic personality who can inspire both the arts and non-arts community.
• A deep dedication to and appreciation of the arts and the ability to convey such enthusiasm to others.
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