Executive Director

The Dalles, OR, United States

Executive Director

This is an exciting time to join The Dalles Art Center (TDAC)! Come help us build a vibrant community arts center and increase access to art for kids, adults, and seniors. The Executive Director will lead the organization forward in delivering programs and fundraising goals in alignment with the 2024-2028 Strategic Priorities and Initiatives.

The Executive Director of The Dalles Art Center is a public role that requires regular public speaking engagements and attendance at community events and meetings. The ideal candidate has experience leading an organization with an in-depth understanding of fundraising, fiscal planning and budget management, business operations, grant writing and building effective teams made up of paid employees and volunteers. A background in the arts, arts education is valuable but not required for consideration. This role reports to the Board of Directors.

Leadership: 20%

Represent the mission and values of The Dalles Art Center in all public-facing interactions from one-on-one conversations with artists to public speaking engagements. Work closely with the Board of Directors and the Executive Team to plan meeting agendas to drive forward 3 – 5-year initiatives, organizational timelines, financial effectiveness and to increase operational proficiency. Sit on and shape agendas for committees including the Development Committee, Education Committee and Community Arts Committee. Build plans, spreadsheets, presentations, and other documents needed to progress work at the Board of Director level, the on-going operational level of the center and for the public. Present organizational assessments to the Board of Directors that track on-going strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the center and facilitate risk mitigation conversations.

Fundraising 40%

The Dalles Art Center receives over 50% of its annual income from individual donors and approximately 20% from grants. The Executive Director spearheads the funding efforts and committees. Responsibilities include scheduling and facilitating meetings, developing the Case Statement to present to donors and foundations, researching grant funding, writing grants and tracking results for grant reporting, meeting with individual donors to present the Case Statement and making donation requests, and tracking income from donors and grants in support of the annual revenue goal. Ensures donor communication is completed in a timely manner through automated emails as well as hand-written acknowledgements.

Community Support, Partnerships and Marketing 20%

Develop and maintain a list of community contacts, other non-profits, civic organizations, and other partners for collaborations that align to organizational goals. Build trust in TDAC through consistent communication and attending other community events. Develop a partnership and sponsorship 3 year plan and roadmap to achieve goals. Pitch and secure for-profit sponsors. Cultivate and invite new members to TDAC’s committees. Act as the primary contact and lead for the partnership with The City of The Dalles to produce public art projects. Develop marketing plans and creative assets. Write and deploy marketing communications (e.g. monthly newsletters) create and post social media content. Oversee the work of creative designers for larger projects.

Operations and People Management 20%

Build annual budgets and report monthly on financial performance. Develop and implement tools to track KPIs for the Annual Report (e.g. traffic, volunteer hours). Assess operational systems for short-term and long-term usage including the CRM database, on-site and online sales software, website hosting platform as part of on-going operational planning. Ensure TDAC Employee Handbook policies are followed by employees and that employees have the training and tools to be successful. Manage paid employees and volunteers to foster a positive work environment. Lead weekly employee team meetings and meet with direct reports on a consistent basis. Conduct mid-year and annual reviews with employees. Store and maintain employee and other organizational documents in alignment with Oregon State Law. Develops and manages work to care for TDAC’s historic 1910 building.

The Executive Director role requires a high level of passion for the mission, exceptional organizational skills as well as diplomatic skills to support an inclusive and welcoming environment for TDAC visitors, members, and donors. This role directs the organization, builds plans and tools to support the work of others and is not above any task that needs completion. The ideal candidate will enjoy thinking creatively and strategically and rolling up their sleeves to work alongside others. The ability to self-manage one’s time while progressing projects and incorporating input from the Board of Directors is essential.

Responsibilities include:

● Fundraising/Grant Oversight – In collaboration with the Board of Directors, leads fundraising planning, strategies, and execution, including foundation, government, and individual giving. Responsible for funder research, including grant opportunities, coordination of donor cultivation, and solicitations. Assists the Board in building fundraising capacity. Ensures participation in grant opportunities, which may include writing and/overseeing grant proposal work.

● Facility Operations – Provides management oversight of building operations, maintenance, and related personnel. Directs facility maintenance, rental, and health / safety measures.

● Planning – In conjunction with the Board of Directors has responsibility for the execution of the strategic plan, and in collaboration with staff and other appropriate personnel, develops and implements annual goals, action plans,, and updates as needed to ensure effective execution and results.

● Program Development and Management – Develops, implements, and supervises personnel in ensuring a robust schedule of programs and classes that furthers TDAC’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.

● Fiscal Management – Develops and oversees monthly fiscal reports. Develops and presents an annual budget for Board approval. Oversees the management of all funds, consistent with the TDAC’s accounting process.

● Marketing and Communications – Leads marketing and communications programs to increase the visibility of and accessibility to TDAC in the wider region and to ensure that donors, families, and the public are informed about the organization’s programs and activities. Ensures consistent branding and messaging in marketing and communications.

Necessary skills:

● Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred

● 3 or more years of nonprofit and/or arts management experience, with a history of success in:

o Fundraising and generating new revenue streams

o Improving financial results

o Organizational growth

● 1 – 2 years of experience and confidence working in CRM database systems, website platforms, Quickbooks and other online systems.

● Experience using common business software applications such as Microsoft 365 suite (Word/Excel/PowerPoint), Google Workspace tools (Drive/Docs/Sheets/Gmail).

● Excellent written & verbal communication skills.

● Experience integrating diversity and inclusion principles and policies into an organization.

Nice to have skills/background:

• A familiarity with the Mid-Columbia Gorge area artist community.

• A background working with school districts or building educational programs.

To apply for this role, send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] by May 29, 2024.

Full-Time Position

Expectation of hours: this role is a full-time salary role that will require some evenings and weekend hours depending on the exhibit, education, events schedule. This role is approved to work from a home office up to two days a week.

Annual salary: $50,000 - $60,000 DOE + bonus contingent upon meeting annual financial goals.

Benefits:

• $100 per month stipend towards personal medical health plan

• $500 per year reimbursement budget for dental and/or medical expenses

• Paid Holidays: 9 Paid Holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

• Vacation & Sick Pay: 15 days (accrued vacation may be used after completion of 3 months employment)

• If an employee opts into Oregon Saves Program and commits to a minimum contribution of 3% TDAC will match with 3% contribution.

• $300 per year stipend to support employee training/development (classes, workshops)

The Dalles Art Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply for this role, send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] by May 29, 2024.

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