1. Job Description
Position: Executive Director
Organization: Center for the Arts of Homer, Inc. Address: 72 S Main St, Homer, NY 13077 Phone: (607) 749-4900
Website: www.center4art.org
The Center for the Arts of Homer, Inc. is seeking an entrepreneurial executive director to manage a nonprofit community arts center based in Homer, NY. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors that is seeking an applicant who will be responsible for general management as well as developing a community engagement and organizational growth strategy. Applicant should possess expertise in program development related to the organization’s mission, as well as operations, business plan development and financial management. Additionally, the applicant should have a strong track record of fundraising and resource development.
2. Organization
The Center for the Arts is a 501(c) (3) organization that recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. Founded by a group of committed community volunteers who started a nonprofit organization to acquire and redevelop an 1893 Romanesque former church complex, it is an anchor for the Homer Main Street Business District. The Center enjoys easy access to Interstate 81, and a setting adjacent to Homer’s picturesque village green. It is situated within a large national historic district that is the gateway to NYS Scenic Route 90 and the Finger Lakes Region.Historically, it has attracted audiences from Canada, the Mid-Atlantic and New England – as well as from across New York State – to its main stageprograms. The Center enjoys strong community support and an exceptional volunteer base to build upon as it seeks to expand programming and funder base.
The complex includes a main stage / theater area that seats 400, a large community room suitable for programming functions of up to 150, a catering kitchen, a number of offices and classrooms to support programming and generate revenue, an art gallery, and a separate building which currently is leased to another nonprofit organization. The board is seeking a candidate who is capable of developing new programming to utilize these facilities to fuller capacity.
Annual revenue is currently approximately $300,000 and it is the board’s goal to grow revenue to a target of $600,000 over the next three to five years through new partnerships that lead to expanded programming, new audience development and an entrepreneurial approach to earned income opportunities that are consistent with the Center’s mission.
3. Programs
Main stage programs have attracted global, national, regional and local performing artists including such names as Judy Collins, Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie, Leon Russell, Southside Johnny, David Bromberg, Janis Ian, The Glengarry Bhoys, Dougie MacLean, Tom Paxton, Jay Unger and Molly Mason, Cherish The Ladies, Johannes Linstead, U. Utah Phillips, Spyro Gyra, and Eileen Ivers, along with local favorites such as Charlie Bertini’s Apple Jazz, CNY Jazz Orchestra, CNY’s Finest and many emerging artists.
Community programming has included Radio Plays, Comedy Nights featuring national and local talent, C4Act Community Theater dramas and musicals, Community Chorus, Cortland Repertory Theatre’s Showstoppers and Superstars youth programs, C4A Youth Theater productions, Special Themed Evenings (Cole Porter, Swing, Broadway and more), Tri-Cities Opera events for children and adults, Ballet, Irish Step Dance, Scottish Highland Dance, Tai Chi, Belly Dancing, Ballroom Dancing, Salsa Dancing, Zumba, Pilates, Yoga and more. Additionally, the Center offers Free Friday Night Film Series Book Club Discussions, Special Topics Arts and Crafts
Workshops, as well as Voice, Music and Movement lessons. The Center is also available for rental for weddings, or corporate, family or school functions.
4. Responsibilities
The Executive Director will provide leadership and management to the organization with a particular focus on fundraising and resource development, planning and organizational growth, and communications and
outreach. The Executive Director will actively engage and energize volunteers, board members, event committees, partnering organizations and funders.
Key roles include:
• Support a strong Board of Directors and engage the various skillsets possessed by members of the board on strategic direction, program and resource development;
• Expand revenue generating and fundraising activities to support existing programs and operations, plan for expansion and growth, while simultaneously retiring building debt;
• Broaden all aspects of communications with a goal of creating a stronger brand and more partnerships, and be an external presence for the organization;
• Develop new partnerships and innovative programming to grow audiences, broaden the base of funders and catalyze opportunities for program expansion and revenue growth;
• Provide financial management leadership, including the development of an annual balanced budget, supervising cash flow management, good governance and internal controls, and adherence to sound accounting standards and procedures, along with timely accurate reporting;
• Provide oversight to facilities management, from operational needs to the logistics required for event management, and the development and implementation of a facilities plan;
• Broaden the membership base to provide the framework for sustainability and growth;
• Pursue grant opportunities and write grants, enhance annual and planned giving, and develop a major donor program;
• Identify and secure resources for facility improvements, and oversee capital improvements to the facility;
• Develop an overall utilization plan for all aspects of the Center, along with an annual yearly program and manage a robust calendar of main stage and community-based activities, programs and events. 5. Personal Skills
While the Executive Director will be supported by the Board of Directors and strong volunteer base, it is expected that the Executive Director will be highly entrepreneurial in terms of developing a program and financial management strategy, shaping the organization’s strategic goals, and building organizational capacity to achieve them.
The Executive Director will create a culture of high performance and a proactive collaborative approach that will lead to quality outcomes, expanded community engagement and funder support. The board is looking for an innovative thinker with a track record for translating thinking into action, with experience building and mentoring teams. Candidates should possess excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including
negotiation and conflict resolution skills. The Executive Director should be self-reliant, results oriented, energetic and flexible. The board is looking for a leader who can positively and productively advance the Center’s mission, garnering support and buy-in from staff, volunteers, funders, community members and key stakeholders.
The Executive Director should be passionate about the organization and helping it grow. While experience working in an arts organization is desirable, it is not a requirement for this position. The board is most
interested in a candidate with personal skills who can help plan and scale growth, and effectively communicate to the board, funders and other constituents. The successful candidate will have solid ideas about revenue generation and fundraising activities to support existing program operations and expansion.
The board sees this as a multi-year effort and commits to working to support the Executive Director at the strategic and tactical level.
6. Direct Reports
The Executive Director directly supervises one full-time staff member who assists with operations and closely supervises a part-time bookkeeper (either contracted or on staff) who handles administrative duties associated with proper accounting. It is the Executive Director’s responsibility to manage and closely monitorfinancial procedures and assure compliance and strong internal controls. The Executive Director also interacts with a large community-based volunteer network, Center Circle, which provides considerable in-kind services to the organization.The Center also has a community-based Advisory Council that meets quarterly, providing input on programming, outreach to constituents, and Center operations in general.
7. Working Conditions
Because of the nature of the job, working conditions cover a range of circumstances including regular evening and weekend work, beyond a typical work week. The position is exempt and does not pay overtime. While it is not required to live in the community, proximate residency is highly encouraged because of the nature of the operation.
8. Qualifications Education:
Bachelor’s degree or other commensurate with responsibilities of the position Expertise:
• Must be able to understand and manage the use of small business accounting, ensuring that procedures accurate and efficient; familiarity with the use of accounting software is required. The Center currently uses QuickBooks, and experience with that system is preferred.
• Must be able to understand and manage technology, and have familiarity with innovative tools such as database management; familiarity with digital media including website development and social media. • Expertise in fundraising is essential; familiarity with public sector funding opportunities, as well as
membership and donor development programs; competence with grant and funding proposals, as well as grant administration; strong writing and communication skills.
• Strong public presentation skills, and proficiency in public relations and marketing communications. • Interpersonal skills to catalyze volunteer coordination and motivation.
Experience:
Minimum of three to five years’ experience, preferably working within the nonprofit, small business or education sector. Must have nonprofit management experience either through staff or board engagement, and be familiar with the unique challenges and rewards of running a small community-based nonprofit organization.
9. Salary Range
Starting salary range is $45,000 to $50,000 with opportunity for advancement based on performance and meeting growth goals.
10. Reporting
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors. 11. Equal Opportunity Policy
The Center for the Arts of Homer, Inc. 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, The Center for the Arts of Homer, Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
12. How to Apply PLEASE SUBMIT:
• RESUME
• COVER LETTER WITH STATEMENT OF INTEREST • THREE PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
• WORK SAMPLES ENCOURAGED Submit by mail addressed to:
Board of Directors / Executive Director Search Committee Center for the Arts of Homer, Inc.
72 S Main St, Homer, NY 13077
13. Deadline for application: May 11, 2015
Appendix A
MISSION STATEMENT Center for the Arts of Homer
To enhance the quality of life for the people of Central New York by engaging them in a broad offering of arts education and entertainment that preserves and enriches the local culture, and provides stewardship for a
historically significant site. VISION
To make the arts a vital part of the growth of the Central New York community. VALUES
Important to us are:
Community- We bring together our neighbors to explore the arts and humanities
Innovation- We continually improve our arts and cultural offerings to reach the greatest audience possible. Excellence- We strive to provide our audience and supporters the highest quality experience.
Volunteerism- We promote personal growth by providing an opportunity for community service. SUMMARY
The Center will help create a community where the arts are a strong and magical part of everyone’s lives, where children grow up making and looking at art, where adults engage each other through the arts, and where multiple generations can gather to share their artistic heritage.
The Center will be an economic boost for the entire region by attracting artists and art consumers alike who work together to forge a more vital and exciting community, one that becomes a magnet for investment, development and tourism.
The path for moving forward is clear. The community must invest in its future by building this dynamic center for arts that will enhance the quality of life in Cortland County and the entire surrounding upstate New York area.
Little by little, the Center for the Arts has gone from being just a dream to become a concrete reality. Now is the time to support and sustain that reality so it can continue and grow as an outstanding asset of the community.
