You Built It. We’ll BOOST It.TM
EPACENTER ARTS – a Creative Youth Development (CYD) organization in East Palo Alto, CA – is looking for their first permanent Executive Director. This dynamic organization seeks a visionary and entrepreneurial leader to set direction during its critical early ramp up stage and steer its successful transition into a newly-built, state-of-the-art facility in 2019.
Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply below.
About EPACENTER ARTS
The EPACENTER ARTS does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status. The East Palo Alto Youth Arts & Music Center LLC is doing business as (dba) EPACENTER ARTS.
About The Position
The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of current operations as well as leading the visioning, planning and implementation needed to fully launch, sustain and transition the organization into an independent 501c3 organization. Current responsibilities include overseeing proof of concept programs, refining operational systems, and developing and managing budgets. During this critical start-up phase, the Executive Director is working in close partnership with the Foundation – working hand-in-hand with Foundation staff, reporting to the Foundation’s Executive Director, and, ultimately, being accountable to the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The Foundation currently funds all operations; however, one of the Executive Director’s chief responsibilities will be his or her full engagement (with one of the founders) in a $50 million comprehensive fundraising campaign to support both capital and operations. The Executive Director will also spearhead the transition from an LLC to an independent nonprofit, which is predicated on a successful diversification of funding.
The Executive Director is the external face of, and voice for, the project, and directs all internal operations. This person ensures strong vision and mission alignment within program and organizational development. Their leadership is both external, in terms of representing the organization, and internal, in terms of supporting and developing staff. Because EPACENTER ARTS is in its start-up phase, this job requires both immediate and short-term planning and management, while simultaneously designing and then operationalizing a realistic plan for the future. The Executive Director will apply their skills and leadership to shape an exciting new organization at a critical point in its development. More specifically this means:
- Managing day-to-day operations
- Maintaining and building support among stakeholders, and serving as the primary liaison
- Designing and operationalizing growth for the future and transitioning to an independent 501c3
- Fundraising
Any successful candidate must have a passion for supporting youth and working in traditionally marginalized or under-served communities. Given that this is a dynamic project in its early stage development, and poised for major growth and change, successful candidates must be: entrepreneurial; self-directed and action-oriented; possess a strong, positive leadership style; be comfortable building relationships across a variety of stakeholders; be adaptable and flexible in the context of a project and organization still in formation; be a persuasive and articulate spokesperson; and be equally at ease at a board meeting as at a community street fair. This person should also have an unwavering commitment to quality programs for youth.
For more information, read the full Position Announcement.
EPACENTER ARTS' mission is to increase opportunities for youth in East Palo Alto, a multi-cultural, working-class community in the heart of Silicon Valley, to amplify their talents, realize their potential, and impact their world through the arts. After five years of planning, including a youth-led community engagement process, the organization was launched in 2014 and currently operates as an LLC under the auspices of its seed funder and partner, the John & Marcia Goldman Foundation (the Foundation). A newly constructed 21,000 sq. ft. building - including studio and classroom space, a 200-seat theater, outdoor amphitheater, gallery and café - will open in 2019. During this start-up phase, an annual operating budget of $1.1 million supports a full-time professional staff of four, augmented by four art instructors and interns, and programs including music lessons, visual art instruction and other programming offered free of charge. Basic operational systems have been put in place, branding has been completed, and a fundraising plan developed. A community Advisory and Engagement Council provides guidance and direction.
To apply, send a cover letter, resume and list of three references to EPACENTERARTS@walkeraac.com.
- Email applications are required – use the Subject Line: Executive Director, EPACENTER ARTS.
- Documents must be Microsoft Word or PDF files only (PDF files are preferred).
- Resume review begins immediately.