Art Bias: Executive Director
Art Bias is currently seeking an Executive Director who will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization. This role involves being an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors and reporting directly to them. The Executive Director is tasked with ensuring that Art Bias consistently achieves its mission and meets its financial goals. As the responsibilities of the Executive Director evolve, key leadership qualities remain essential, including a commitment to transparency, high integrity, and collaborative leadership, as well as a dedication to building an inclusive environment that nurtures artistic creativity and a deep passion for the organization's vision, mission, and values.
About Art Bias:
Established in 1993, Art Bias’ mission is to be an inclusive community where diverse artists have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive and create positive community impact. We provide 51 below-market-rate studios for resident artists, professional development resources and events, free art classes for underserved communities, exhibition opportunities, and a thriving community of artists amplifying art’s positive impact on society.
The 60 resident artists work in visual art mediums such as drawing, painting, weaving, mosaics, calligraphy, photography, book arts, film, fashion and more, making Art Bias the creative hub for the arts on the SF Peninsula. Many are involved in teaching, public art, art therapy, mental health efforts, and/or environmental sustainability conversations.
Responsibilities
In strategy & business development, the Executive Director will:
1. In coordination with the Board, assure that the organization achieves its mission and delivers on key agreed objectives in a timely manner.
2. Cultivate a strong and transparent relationship with the Board of Directors and tenant artists, and ensure open communication about the measurement of financial, programmatic, and impact performance against stated milestones and goals.
3. In partnership with the Board, help recruit and build a diverse and inclusive Board of Directors and artist tenants which are representative of the community.
4. Provide leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff, and carry out plans and policies authorized by the board.
5. Ensure programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of financial management and administration.
6. Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field, and be a dynamic external presence for Art Bias.
7. Build strategic partnerships and a broad network in the non-profit sector, establishing relationships with funders and key stakeholders.
In philanthropy and communications, the Executive Director will:
1. Oversee revenue-generating and fundraising activities to support long-term organizational sustainability, while simultaneously building an operating reserve.
2. Develop and execute an agreed communications plan which will grow the Art Bias brand and foot traffic to Art Bias, as well as enrollment in Art Bias programs.
3. See that the Board of Directors is kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it.
4. Effectively communicate organizational impact.
5. Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with members, community groups and organizations.
6. Represent the programs and point of view of Art Bias to agencies, organizations, AB artist community, and the general public.
In relations with staff and artist tenants, the Executive Director will:
1. Oversee the recruitment, employment and release of all personnel, both paid staff and volunteers.
2. Ensure that job descriptions are developed, that regular performance evaluations are held and that sound human resource practices are in place.
3. Encourage staff and volunteer development and education.
4. Develop and maintain a climate which attracts, keeps and motivates a diverse group of artist tenants who share the goals of Art Bias, and who contribute positively to the Art Bias community.
In finance and operations, the Executive Director will:
1. Oversee the financial integrity of the organization, including developing long and short range financial plans in conjunction with the Board Treasurer, monitoring the budget, and ensuring financial controls are in place. This includes detailed plans for grants and program funding which will fulfill the net operating budget requirements as agreed with the Art Bias Board.
2. Ensure effective administration of Art Bias operations including policies and procedures for all functions and for day-to-day operations. This will include keeping Art Bias occupancy rate sufficient to support the financial plans, oversight of artists re compliance wrt Art Bias Code of Conduct, and monthly communications to the Board of plans to add or remove any artist(s).
3. Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
4. On a monthly basis, reconcile and document actual results to budgeted income & expense with Art Bias bookkeeper and Treasurer.
4. Develop programs that serve the needs of the Peninsula community, and are in alignment with Art Bias artist skills/interests.
QUALIFICATIONS
The Executive Director will be thoroughly committed to Art Bias’ mission. All candidates should have proven leadership, coaching and relationship management experience. Specific requirements include:
• Advanced degree, or comparable work experience, and organizational management/leadership experience
• Track record of effectively scaling a performance and outcomes-based organization and staff; ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth
• Demonstrated ability to develop a strong feeling of community and commitment.
• A financially savvy and politically astute leader with the ability to set clear priorities, delegate and maintain a positive and healthy environment
• A demonstrated understanding of the non-profit sector, including the regulatory requirements.
• An existing network among Bay Area non-profits and foundations, or a demonstrated ability to develop a network that will support Art Bias’ goals.
• Strong commitment to the professional development of staff; successful track record of recruiting and retaining a high-performing, diverse team, and executing effective delegation of tasks and responsibilities.
• Proven success working with a Board of Directors with the ability to cultivate, partner with and engage board members to achieve strategic goals
• A persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal, presentation and multidisciplinary project management skills, and the experience and energy to be an engaged and effective spokesperson, relationship builder and fundraiser
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning
• Excellent coalition building skills with an ability to communicate and work effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders; a persuasive negotiator able to achieve consensus amongst differing opinions
• Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven and self-directed
Qualifications
The Executive Director will be thoroughly committed to Art Bias’ mission. All candidates should have proven leadership, coaching and relationship management experience. Specific requirements include:
Advanced degree, or comparable work experience, and organizational management/leadership experience
Track record of effectively scaling a performance and outcomes-based organization and staff; ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth
Demonstrated ability to develop a strong feeling of community and commitment.
A financially savvy and politically astute leader with the ability to set clear priorities, delegate and maintain a positive and healthy environment
A demonstrated understanding of the non-profit sector, including the regulatory requirements.
An existing network among Bay Area non-profits and foundations, or a demonstrated ability to develop a network that will support Art Bias’ goals.
Strong commitment to the professional development of staff; successful track record of recruiting and retaining a high-performing, diverse team, and executing effective delegation of tasks and responsibilities.
Proven success working with a Board of Directors with the ability to cultivate, partner with and engage board members to achieve strategic goals
A persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal, presentation and multidisciplinary project management skills, and the experience and energy to be an engaged and effective spokesperson, relationship builder and fundraiser
Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning
Excellent coalition building skills with an ability to communicate and work effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders; a persuasive negotiator able to achieve consensus amongst differing opinions
Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven and self-directed
To Apply
To apply please email gus.shea@artbias.org.