CEO (AF)

ArtsFund, celebrating 50 years of service, has actively strengthened the community by (1) raising funds that support the region’s nonprofit arts sector through grants and other organizational assistance; (2) advocating for the needs of the region’s vibrant arts sector; and (3) serving as an active member of Seattle’s civic and grantmaking community. Its vision is a community with a dynamic and world-class arts and cultural sector where the arts are accessible to all and valued as critical to a healthy society. To that end, ArtsFund serves a growing network of cultural partners -- large and small, established and emerging, and in performing, visual, literary, and multidisciplinary arts. Last year these groups produced over 10,000 exhibits/performances, provided 1.7 million free or discounted tickets, and enabled 833,000 students to access arts programming. The organization also serves as a major convener, advocate and leading ambassador to the community on behalf of the arts. It has initiated numerous, high-profile, research studies on the economic impact of the arts in the region and pioneered a recent first-of-its-kind study of the social impact of the arts in the community. ArtsFund also acts as a fiscal agent for sector-wide initiatives.

ArtsFund is currently under the leadership of an interim CEO, a long-time arts professional from the Seattle area. As ArtsFund celebrates its 50th year, the organization excitedly anticipates the arrival of a new CEO.

The CEO will be the chief visionary, strategic, and operational leader who guides ArtsFund as it evolves and adapts to changes and trends occurring across the cultural sector. Using a lens of social justice and social equity, this entrepreneurial leader will continue to champion and advocate for arts and culture as it has successfully done for the past 50 years. Partnering with and reporting to an influential 32-member Board of Directors, the President and CEO will spearhead the development and implementation of a fresh strategic plan that includes new and different partnerships, fundraising strategies and practices, the diversification of varied programs and cultural offerings, and further fostering creativity and artistic expression that helps define the Emerald City. Serving as the primary liaison between ArtsFund and its respective stakeholder groups—arts and culture organizations of all sizes, corporations and individual donors, grantees, government leaders and many others—this individual will act as the ambassador for the organization with a goal to redefine and deepen impact. A credible and visible leader who drives the organization to its next level of growth and service to the community, the CEO will act as an independent voice for the sector while mentoring and guiding a highly effective and motivated organizational team.

Responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer:

1. Strategic Planning: Alongside the board and staff, further refine and implement the strategic plan that ensures a mission-based approach to achieving the vision of increased inclusivity, impact and ensuring that arts support continuously grows to meet community demand.
2. Community Ambassador & Stakeholder Relations: Embrace engagement in all forms with the intent of convening, partnering on community initiatives, advocating the deep value of supporting arts and culture, and leveraging increased public support for the arts across a broad spectrum of community philanthropy and business groups as well as policy makers, public officials and other individual influencers.
3. Fundraising, Grantmaking and Financial Sustainability: Lead motivated, capable team to further grow resources in support of grantees and advancing the overarching mission of expanding arts access and resources to underserved communities; ensure model addresses sector needs and adapts to changing donor environment.
4. Equity and Inclusion: Adopt and lead strategy shifts that advance equity and inclusion priorities internally and externally; demonstrate and model importance of expanding access to all communities.
5. Organizational Management and Team Leadership: Ensure effective action of the Board; advise, counsel and direct staff activities ensuring collaboration, effectiveness and efficiency; and oversee sound administrative and financial management & investment practices.

Profile of the Successful Candidate

ArtsFund seeks an entrepreneurial, inspirational leader who is skilled in fundraising, change management, organizational development, communication, collective action, and understanding systems. The new CEO will be deeply committed to a prominent place for the arts in Seattle's civic landscape, along with diversity, inclusion, and ensuring equitable practices in ArtsFund’s work and throughout the sector.

We expect that the successful candidate may come from a variety of leadership backgrounds that demonstrate civic or community engagement and a track record of significant fundraising success. The new leader will maintain trusted relationships with stakeholders, embracing a commitment to inclusion that reflects both lived and learned experience. The leader may also have experience in other fields, such as work in the public, private or nonprofit sectors. We expect that the new CEO will come to the position with the skills necessary to secure financial resources and advocate on behalf of the arts and communities that need access to arts-related education and experiences, and develop the organization to ensure it is well positioned to lead in a dynamic and changing cultural environment.

More specifically, ArtsFund seeks a thoughtful, experienced professional who has:

• Ten or more years of experience in a senior level position with increasing executive responsibility for a variety of programs and projects.
• Work experience that includes a significant role in a complex, multicultural, philanthropic, or similar organization of considerable budgetary size and scale.
• Demonstrated success in working with local government entities, global and local business leaders, and non-profit leaders and funders.
• Demonstrated fundraising experience and success working with boards as well as a strong management track record.
• High emotional intelligence and political savvy as well as a track record of building effective partnerships.
• A passion for the arts, commitment to arts education, results in community impact, and active participation in arts advocacy.

Start Timeframe

We seek to have someone in place by Spring 2020.

Compensation

This position offers a competitive salary and includes a comprehensive benefits package. We actively welcome all candidates from a wide range of backgrounds who have the skills to fulfill this role – regardless of compensation history.

To Apply

All applications are held in strict confidence. Please submit your credentials and a letter of interest through our private applicant portal to The 360 Group at: https://the360group.us/portal/

Applications should be directed to the attention of Vincent Robinson, Managing Partner or Melissa Ulum, Of Counsel. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Earlier applicants may receive priority consideration. To be considered, The 360 Group encourages all interested candidates to submit their applications promptly, via the confidential applicant portal linked above.

At The 360 Group, we know that a richly diverse mix of professionals makes organizations more effective. Using that principle as our “North Star,” we make diversity a hallmark of our firm, and all of our search engagements.

Learn more about The 360 Group at the360group.us.

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