Director of Community Partnerships

Role: Director of Community Partnerships

Organization: National Arts Strategies (NAS)

Location: Washington, DC Metro Area or U.S.-based Remote; 4-day workweek (32 hour model)

Application Deadline: Expressions of Interest will be accepted until at least Friday, September 29 at 5PM ET. Priority review given to those received by Friday, September 22 at 5PM ET.

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National Arts Strategies (NAS) is seeking a Director of Community Partnerships. NAS is searching for a thoughtful and creative leader with strong relationship building, connecting, and facilitation skills to join the organization in a brand new role. Reporting to the VP, Learning and Evaluation, the Director of Community Partnerships will be an integral part of the NAS team, leading collaborations with external partners that will support arts leaders and create positive change within the performing arts sector.

The successful candidate will be a diplomatic and organized administrator, a generative problem solver, and skilled in implementation and program delivery. They can co-create meaningful experiences and work with a diverse set of stakeholders in a compassionate way; inspired by trends and practices across industries, and committed to continuous learning in service of exploring and facilitating growth of NAS’s impact across sectors.

This role will specifically support a vibrant network of change makers through the strategic direction of two of NAS’s signature programs: 

The Live Arts Centers of North America (LACNA) BIPOC Executive Leadership in Arts Program: an annual, cohort-based program that supports the development of future C-suite executives (including chief executive officers, chief operating officers, chief financial officers, and chief advancement/chief development officers) who are poised to lead large civic cultural organizations.

The Wallace Arts Initiative: an annual granting program that provides financial, leadership development, and coaching support for arts organizations founded by, with, and for communities of color. 

Learn more about this opportunity by visiting — https://www.workshouldntsuck.co/nas — to view a series of videos the staff and board created, listen to a podcast interview with NAS Board Chair and CEO, and download the Applicant Information Packet in various accessible formats.

APPLICATION INFORMATION PACKAGE

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HUMAN BEING DISCLAIMER: Real-live humans on our team review every single application that we receive. We don’t employ AI or ATS-automated rankings in our application review process.

ABOUT NAS

National Arts Strategies (NAS) is an Alexandria, VA-based non-profit organization founded in 1983, that is committed to building and supporting a diverse community of arts and culture leaders who drive inspiring change for the future. NAS offers professional development opportunities, coaching, and a powerful network to arts and culture leaders at every stage of their careers.

The NAS mission is to build and support a diverse community of arts and culture leaders who drive inspiring change for the future. Its vision is a world in which everyone working in arts and culture is empowered with equitable access to resources and connected within thriving networks that benefit all people and our planet. NAS offers professional development opportunities, coaching, and a powerful network to arts and culture leaders at every stage of their careers. Founded in 1983, NAS has trained and supported more than 5,000 arts and culture leaders through its programs and offerings, establishing it as the preeminent trainer for practicing leaders in the field. It currently operates with a staff of ten and an annual operating budget of $3.3 million.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Since 2014, NAS has been led by its President & CEO Gail Crider. In addition to the CEO, the other roles currently on the leadership team include: the Vice President, Learning & Evaluation and the Vice President, Programs & Partnerships. Bios for the NAS team can be found here.

The Board and Search Committee acknowledge that the Director of Community Projects is a new position within an existing structure. They are dedicated to providing support to ensure this role can be successful and collaboratively integrated into the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE

Partnership & Program Leadership:

Overall strategic direction of the LACNA BIPOC Executive Leadership in Arts Program. Overall management of The Wallace Arts Initiative and other initiatives as needed. Forecast and monitor portfolio-related budgets to include programmatic and administrative expenditures. Ensuring appropriate documentation of LACNA program activities. In collaboration with the NAS team, steward and sustain excellent board relationships through exceptional management and communication practices. Build and maintain effective communications and engagement with partners and ensure ongoing alignment of activities with NAS organizational goals and values. Develop and maintain a rich network of partnering relationships to ensure the consistent delivery of programs and services. This encompasses building and/or sustaining ties with the entire constituent group including funders, collaborators, and program partners. Identify, evaluate, and manage risks associated with program activities. Cultivate new funders in concert with both the LACNA board and the NAS management team including contributing to research, attending meetings, and collaborating on proposal writing. Lead the implementation of the evaluation and work with the Vice President, Learning and Engagement to present evaluation results to the LACNA board to identify and oversee necessary programmatic changes.

Program Design:

Work with the LACNA board of directors and network, program partners, program participants, and program alumni to understand their needs. Plan and facilitate partner and participant meetings. Participate in iterative program design and development to ensure that program goals and outcomes are met.

Program Delivery:

Ensure positive experiences for participants, partners, and other invested parties. Collaborate with the delivery team to implement program design and deliver exceptional program experiences. Serve as a representative of NAS to related external stakeholders including but not limited to alumni, partners, and funders. Demonstrate creative, thoughtful problem solving designed to result in defined solution paths. Other related duties as assigned.

A full job description, including detailed information about NAS’s activities and operations, the position compensation and benefits package, and a myriad of other items of interest can be found in the Application Package.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Research shows that folx from groups closest to the harms of institutional racism and inequality often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We believe that no one meets 100% of the listed qualifications. We are less concerned about whether you’ve done everything on a laundry list of specific things and more interested in cultivating a pool of candidates who want to join a connected, mission-driven, hard-working team of practitioners driven by creativity, curiosity, justice, and equity.

Ultimately, we are seeking applicants who have a blend – in some way – of the following:

Generative, relational approach to leadership, partnering, and community building. Generous connector, learning orientation, JEDI/ARAO, care, reciprocity, responsive communication skills, and conflict navigation. Administrative, logistical, operational experience. Organized, creative, problem solving, attention to detail, and timeliness. Connection to Arts/Performing Arts/Leadership Development. Intense curiosity and an appetite for change.

If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary for this position is $75,000 based on full-time hours, as well as a competitive benefits package available to all employees that includes 100% medical, dental, and vision premium coverage for employee + family. Please see the Application Package for more information about benefits.

APPLICATION & HIRING PROCESS

Phase One: Expression of Interest. Interested individuals are encouraged to send an expression of interest by submitting an application using the “Apply Now” button below. Video and/or audio applications are welcome (though not required) in addition to written expressions of interest. Phase Two: Formal Application. A resume and writing sample may be requested from candidates, should they be invited to interview. Phase Three: Interview Process. Three rounds of interviews via Zoom are anticipated.

If you need accommodations to make this application process happen, please connect with us at info [at] artstrategies [dot] org. We will work to support you through the application process via email, phone call, and/or video chat.

SEARCH COMMITTEE

Expressions of interest and formal applications will be reviewed by the NAS search committee and the team at Work Shouldn’t Suck. Search committee members include: Mariah Cesena, Gail Crider, Kyle Jillson, Teddy Rodger, Carla Samson, Michael Tune, Sunny Widmann, and Deryn Dudley (Vice President, Learning & Evaluation), who will make the final decision on the successful candidate.