Executive Director

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History 

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

Title of Position: Executive Director 

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt 

About the Museum of Art and History (MAH)

The MAH is a thriving central gathering place for Santa Cruz County, with a vision to ignite shared experiences and unexpected connections. To do this, we offer a full slate of art and history exhibitions, visual and performing artworks, public festivals, education and outreach programs, and cultural celebrations in collaboration with our many partners.   Our mission is to bring people of all backgrounds together around art, local history, creativity, and culture to build a stronger, more connected community and explore diverse cultures.

In 1996, the marriage between the history and art museums was finalized and we officially merged as the Museum of Art & History with a great deal of enthusiasm and support. A decade ago, we began a major transformation and expansion to become a more relevant, dynamic community space. 

Since then, we’ve launched many powerful projects. Our current exhibits include Sowing Seeds: Filipino American Stories from the Pajaro Valley, Of Love and Revelation: Learning Photography from the Land. Upcoming exhibits include: Young, Gifted and Black: The Lumpkin-Boccuzzi Family Collection of Contemporary Art, CommonGround: A Festival of Place-Inspired, Outdoor Work. 

In 2022-23, we launched Queerstory, a project to digitize materials documenting our local LGBTQ+ community, as part of a long-term initiative to digitize much of the museum’s archive. We also improved our sites and facilities by transforming our first-floor gallery area into a multi-use space for resource-sharing and collaboration, and received grants from the Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions and National Endowment for the Arts. 

Overall, the MAH is a creative center of downtown Santa Cruz, and we serve all who live, work, and play in the broader Santa Cruz County, irrespective of age, income, culture, creed, gender, or language.  Our next leader will play a crucial role in the future of our diverse community.

About the Position

We are seeking an enthusiastic and community-focused Executive Director who is ready to provide visionary leadership and direction for the MAH and in collaboration with the Santa Cruz County community. The Executive Director will have the skill, understanding and desire to authentically engage and collaborate with a variety of community partners, including museum members, donors, artists, local nonprofits, government agencies, and funders, as well as possess effective fundraising skills and financial acumen.  In addition to the museum, the Executive Director at the MAH oversees relationships and contracts with neighboring Abbott Square marketplace, leased office space in the McPherson building, the downtown trash district (located only on the property of the MAH), Evergreen Cemetery, and Davenport Jail.

To continue the momentum and impact we have built in recent years, we expect the Executive Director to develop an understanding of the current organization, form positive and collaborative relationships with staff, and build deep relationships with a wide spectrum of individuals, groups and organizations throughout Santa Cruz County. 

The new Executive Director will work with a resourceful, hard-working, imaginative and fun  team of people who are committed to creating a cultural hub that welcomes everyone in our  community. The MAH has a staff of 8 full-time and 12 part-time employees and is governed by  a 16-member Board, with a budget of $2 million. Our revenue sources include grants,  contributions, memberships, facility rentals, and programming.  

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & General Management

• In collaboration with the staff, provide direction and oversee all operations for the Museum, McPherson Building, Abbott Square, Trash District, and two offsite locations (Evergreen Cemetery and Davenport Jail).  This includes systems, processes, procedures, finances, contracts, human resources, information technology, marketing, revenue-producing activities, education, and outreach programs.  
• Ensure that daily operations and programs are professionally and efficiently organized  and administered, including developing workflows, systems, and processes so that all departments are working in concert, with clear and consistent goals.  
• Maintain and preserve the MAH’s physical assets, including exhibitions, the building, and infrastructure, creating a welcoming, accessible and inviting space for the community to gather, create, celebrate and learn. 
• Properly administer contracts in full compliance with relevant employment law and other  applicable legalities.  
• Hire, train, manage, and evaluate Senior Level Staff. Mentor and guide their professional growth and development. 
• Support an organizational culture with a focus on clear and direct communication that embraces collaboration, innovation, equity,  inclusion, accountability, and diversity of opinion.

Fundraising and Partnership Development

• Maintain and grow the organization’s financial health with a plan based on a Board-approved budget, tracking with transparency and accountability.  
• Implement a strategy to identify, engage, solicit and steward new and  legacy donors, while developing strong institutional fundraising pipelines, ultimately working to increase the MAH’s financial stability 
• Develop fundraising and revenue-generating activities that will add to the organization’s fiscal health and deepen our impact with the Santa Cruz County community, including researching, writing, and managing grant opportunities.  
• Develop and deepen innovative collaborations and partnerships. 

 Community Building, PR and Marketing

• Enhance the MAH’s place in Santa Cruz County and our innovative reputation regionally, nationally and internationally through events, exhibitions, performances, and projects.
• Collaborate with a wide range of community partners to co-create culturally affirming,  inspiring, participatory exhibitions, outreach activities, and programs that are deeply relevant to Santa Cruz County.  
• Ensure the organization’s marketing and communications plan reaches current and prospective supporters, using conventional and digital media (website, newsletters, social media, etc.). 
• Actively seek opportunities to advocate for the MAH, assuring the intent and interests of  the organization are advanced. Serve as our public face and media spokesperson, along  with the President of the Board of Trustees.  
• Act as lead liaison with elected officials, other nonprofits, individual and corporate sponsors, and local businesses. Stay up to date on community issues and offer recommendations as appropriate. 

Board Partnership and Support 

• Ensure perspectives and concerns of staff, board and stakeholders are fully considered,  working closely with the Board to address high-level organizational opportunities/ issues.  The climate should be such that high-quality, multicultural staff and Board members are  recruited and maintained.  
• With the Board Chair and Executive Committee, come to a consensus on the work plan; coordinate the efforts of regular and ad hoc committees; develop meeting agendas, retreats, and other gatherings.
• Ensure all committees are supported in achieving their goals; encourage Board members’  appropriate involvement in the MAH’s range of activities.  
• Assist the Board in identifying and recruiting new members whose talents, experience, commitment, and interests are an excellent fit.  

Experience and Qualifications

We understand that no candidate is perfectly qualified for any job.  Experience comes in different forms.  Many skills are transferable and passion goes a long way. Even more important than your resume is a clear demonstration of dedication, impact, and the ability to thrive in a fluid and collaborative environment.  We want you to learn new things in this role and encourage you to apply if your experience is close to what we're looking for. We also know that diversity of background and thought makes for better problem solving and more creative thinking.  We're dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team. 

Preferred

• Leadership Experience: At least 7 years of leadership experience, including managing teams of 15 or more employees and working collaboratively with a board of directors.
• Community Engagement: Minimum of 5 years of experience in community engagement or partnership development, within the arts, cultural, or nonprofit sectors.
• Fundraising Success: Proven track record of raising at least $1 million annually through various fundraising initiatives, including grants, donations, and sponsorships.
• Financial Management Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to manage an organizational budget of at least $2 million, with experience in financial planning, budgeting, and reporting.

Required

• Leadership Experience: At least 5 years of leadership experience, including managing a team of employees
• Community Engagement: Experience in community engagement or partnership development
• Fundraising Success: Proven track record of fundraising through various initiatives, including grants, donations, and sponsorships.
• Financial Management Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to manage an organizational budget with experience in financial planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Community and Stakeholder Collaboration: Experience working with diverse and marginalized communities, with a commitment to accelerating diversity and equity in the cultural workforce and leadership pipeline.
• Program Development and Execution: Experience in developing and executing culturally relevant programs, exhibitions, and events that engage diverse communities, with measurable outcomes of increased community participation or satisfaction.
• Public Relations and Media Skills: Strong public speaking and media communication skills, with experience serving as a public face for an organization and building its reputation regionally, nationally, and internationally.
• Strategic Planning and Implementation: Proven ability to develop and implement strategic plans that align with organizational goals and drive growth, as evidenced by previous successful projects or initiatives.
• Management Experience: Demonstrated experience in creating a highly effective and collaborative non-profit work environment, improve systems, and proven ability to recruit, lead, and develop staff, and build strong teams

Pay and Benefits

Starting Pay Range: 100K - 150K with additional incentive available for significant development performance

Paid Time Off: 20 days per year

Holidays: 11 paid holidays

Sick Days: 10 days per year

Management/Administrative Leave Days: Paid Jury Duty and Bereavement Leave

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance: 99% coverage of employee medical, dental, and vision insurance 

Other Insurance: Workers Compensation, State Disability, and Short-term and Long-term Disability coverage

Retirement: a 403(b) Deferred Income Retirement plan for employees 

Other Benefits: Electronics stipend, access to a secured bike storage for commuters, discounted rate for personal private event rentals, professional development and training opportunities

Performance Bonus available for high development success

Apply

This position is open for applications August 1 - September 13, 2024.  Interested candidates may send their resume and cover letter to Candice Elliott, at hello@fortressandflourish.com