Executive Director

Executive Director

The new Executive Director will join the committed two person staff and a highly engaged Board to lead the future work of the organization. The ED is expected to begin working full-time in early February, 2012.




Values
Community, Creativity, Identity, and Passion - We believe in the value of cultural and geographic community, the endless possibilities of creativity, the richness and right of every person to self-define their identity, and the sustaining power of passion.




Primary Responsibilities




Fundraising and institutional advancement
- Leads all development activities for the organization by working with the Board Development Committee and staff.
- Actively prospects and cultivates one on one relationships with previous, current, and prospective donors.
- Serves as primary spokesperson and contact to clearly articulate the mission and activities of the organization to the media, institutional funders, community partners/leaders, organizational peers, and other stakeholders.
- Provides strategic guidance for the institutional and programmatic marketing of the organization to ensure appropriate brand development that builds audience and community support.




Strategic planning and program direction
- Works with the Board, staff, and other stakeholders to develop and implement short and long term operational plans.
- Works with the Board to oversee and implement the strategic framework, which includes three primary strategies focused on: audience development, renewed programming capacity, and evolving the organization's business model.
- Regularly evaluates progress towards goals with the Board and staff.
- Directs the work of the Board Programming & Marketing Committee to ensure that seasonal programming meets organizational objectives and serves the mission.
- Serves as primary staff liaison to the Board and works with the Board president and committees to enhance the overall functioning of the Board; regularly reports organizational activity to the Board.




Administration and finance
- Manages the human resources of the organization and ensures adherence to personnel policies and procedures.
- Oversees the efficient and effective use of financial, organizational, and technological resources.
- Hires and directly supervises all staff.
- Oversees the annual operating budget and works with the Board Finance Committee and staff to regularly report on the fiscal health of the organization.
- Collaborates with the Board and staff to prudently manage the organization's resources within budget guidelines.




Desired Qualities
The CD Forum seeks a seasoned leader with experience transforming a midsize organization into a sustainable arts enterprise. Successful candidate will be strategic, creative, independent and collaborative. The Board seeks a candidate who will shape and manage the organization's future direction while also remaining true to its historical role in the community. The ED will provide internal leadership among staff and Board, and build upon established relations in the community. He/she will have a demonstrated passion for Black culture, experience in arts management, and possess a commitment to furthering the mission, vision, and values of the organization.




Additionally the candidate should clearly demonstrate the following competencies:




Leadership ability
Is readily able to identify strategic opportunities, inspire individuals to -get behind- an initiative, mobilize, and mange resources to achieve measurable results.




Arts and humanities sensibility
Understands the opportunities and complexities in presenting Black art and culture to diverse audiences and has a history of supporting and advocating for Black art and culture.




Interpersonal/relationship building skills
Successfully works with a wide range of individuals from varying backgrounds inside and outside the organization, locally and nationally.




Collaborative style
Fosters a congenial and collaborative environment among Board, staff, and community organizations that encourage critical thinking and reward excellence.




Communication skills
Articulates and successfully conveys CD Forum's mission, vision, and model to local and national audiences. Encourages open communication among and between staff and Board.