Job Op - Museum of Children's Art Executive Director
Executive Director
Museum of Children's Art
Oakland, California
MOCHA’s mission is to ensure that the arts are a fundamental part of the lives of all children. Founded in 1988, MOCHA encourages hands-on learning and promotes the arts as a way to help children of all backgrounds develop as healthy, resourceful and involved citizens. We provide opportunities for children to explore and celebrate their creativity, and we design, implement and advocate for hands-on arts education programs, emphasizing outreach to children and families from low-income communities.
MOCHA has three program areas:
- School Programs provide classroom artist residencies and after school programs for preschool-12th grade in more than 60 schools throughout the East Bay, as well as professional development for teachers and administrators.
- Museum Programs offer daily drop-in art programs, family-oriented weekend events, school field trips, birthday parties and holiday and summer art camps. We curate and mount rotating displays in our exhibition space and are the only Bay Area museum exclusively exhibiting artwork by and for children.
- Community Partner Programs engage youth in hands-on art activities at public libraries, in public housing, and at community festivals and events throughout Oakland and the East Bay such as Dia de los Muertos, Art & Soul, and International Children and Youth Day.
The 30,000 children who participate in MOCHA's programs annually range in age from 18 months to 18 years old and come from ethnically and economically diverse backgrounds. Seventy percent are from low-income families. MOCHA’s operating budget for FY 2009-10 (July-June) is $1.2 million.
MOCHA has been recognized both locally and nationally for our program excellence and has established a reputation for quality, enthusiasm and dedication. All of our teaching artists and many of our administrators are also practicing artists, exhibiting their work locally and nationally. We strive to constantly improve and innovate, building ties to other organizations and our community.
About the Position
We are seeking an enthusiastic, charismatic and dedicated leader to build on our past and catalyze our future. The Executive Director will be responsible for strategic planning and execution, management of all programs and day-to-day operations, and for ensuring a healthy and vibrant community of staff, volunteers, and supporters. Working with the Board of Directors and Development staff, the Executive Director will also lead a strategic and effective fundraising program designed to ensure sound operations, sustain fiscal health, and promote the continuity of MOCHA’s programs, outreach and growth.
The Executive Director will report to an 15-member Board of Directors and, along with a management team of 4, will supervise 8 additional staff members and 28 full- and part-time artists working onsite and in East Bay school programs.
Position Summary
The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of MOCHA, responsible for the organization’s creative vision, program quality and creative voice. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the organization’s consistent high-quality execution of its mission, goals and objectives. The Executive Director will represent MOCHA’s programs and initiatives to funders, media, staff, board, and the community and move MOCHA forward in implementing the internal and external objectives related to the organization’s mission. In addition, the Executive Director will strengthen the internal structures and budget processes to support future growth.
Strategic Planning
Work closely with the Board of Directors to articulate the organization’s vision and implement the organization’s growth strategy.
Ensure that MOCHA continues to achieve the goals, initiatives, and program outcomes outlined in our strategic plan by designing and monitoring effective program measures.
Evaluate new opportunities for growth (geographic, programmatic, etc.), present them to the Board and implement them when appropriate.
Fund Development
The Executive Director will be the lead fundraiser for MOCHA and in collaboration with the Development Director and other staff will:
Enhance our long-range development plan to ensure a sustainable, diverse funding base.
Maintain and grow existing relationships with foundations, corporations and businesses, government funders, and individual donors and actively seek new revenue sources in each category.
Expand MOCHA’s membership base to provide a significant, sustainable funding stream and ensure a vibrant membership program.
Direct the involvement of Board members in donor identification, cultivation, stewardship and all aspects of the solicitation process.
Strengthen current earned income streams and create new opportunities for earned income.
Staff Management and Development
Provide overall leadership and direction for all staff and volunteers.
Develop and promote a culture of teamwork, open communication, mutual respect, creativity, and achievement.
Ensure that hiring and supervision of staff and independent contractors promotes operational effectiveness and reflects MOCHA’s values.
Ensure that the personnel policies of MOCHA are adhered to in all hiring and employment practices and are in compliance with employment laws. Propose changes in policy to Board of Directors to keep pace with organizational changes
Provide professional development programs that upgrade employee skills, motivate performance and promote longevity
Program Strategy, Support and Oversight
Lead the staff in developing cutting-edge programs that contribute to MOCHA’s reputation as an innovator in arts education.
Ensure compatibility of program decisions with MOCHA’s mission
Facilitate communication with the Board, staff, MOCHA’s members and the community regarding our initiatives
Maintain hands-on familiarity and involvement with MOCHA’s programs and objectives and keep current regarding changes/developments in the fields of MOCHA’s work
Financial Management
Prepare annual budget and development plan to meet financial needs of program and general operations
Supervise finance staff and coordinate management of financial and administrative procedures to maintain fiscally sound programs and ensure accurate reporting of financial activity
Regularly track financial activities against budget to ensure MOCHA is achieving its financial goals, maintaining a positive cash flow and building its cash reserve.
Keep board informed of financial status of the organization
Board Governance and Management
Work closely with Board Chair to prepare and run board meetings, maintain a productive relationship with all board members, and ensure that the board is kept fully informed on all important factors influencing the organization’s wellbeing and success.
Facilitate communication between Board and staff
Facilitate operations of Board committees and provide staffing as appropriate
Serve as ex-officio on all Board committees
Assist in the recruitment, orientation, and training of new Board members. Work with Board leadership to maintain and further develop an engaged, effective and energized Board.
Assist board leadership in diversifying board membership
Community Relations
Strengthen MOCHA’s position externally through effective community relations, outreach and marketing efforts.
Represent MOCHA at public functions
Participate in community and government conferences and meetings to further MOCHA’s goals and increase the awareness, visibility, influence and impact of the organization
Pro-actively promote MOCHA to key constituents: schools, parents, funders, government agencies and program partners
Establish and maintain productive relationships with other organizations advocating for the role of the arts in education and healthy communities.
Respond to press and media queries
Application Instructions
Qualifications
Minimum 7 years’ management experience, with strong understanding of the nonprofit sector (fundraising, nonprofit fiscal management, and budget preparation)
Proven experience as a leader of a complex organization, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate a diverse team.
Knowledge of best practices in organizational management and human resources.
A strong track record in all aspects of nonprofit fundraising (foundations, corporations, major donors, government grants, membership, special events, earned income)
Understanding of marketing and branding and their application within the nonprofit sector.
Experience working with boards of directors and community-based organizations
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking
Strong commitment to MOCHA’s mission, program and goals
Classification and Compensation
This is a full-time exempt position. Competitive salary and benefits, including health insurance and a generous paid time off program.
To Apply
•   Send cover letter, resume and salary history to: edsearch@mocha.org.
•   Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
•   For more information please visit our website www.mocha.org
No calls or faxes, please!