Associate Director of Operations and Programs

Reports to Executive Director

Organization Description

Arts Connection is the Arts Council for San Bernardino County. We are an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, designated by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to act as the State Local partner to the California Arts Council. 

Arts Connection’s mission is to elevate arts and culture in San Bernardino County. We are dedicated to serving artists, arts organizations, and our communities in collaboration with our city, state and county partners. We envision a County that invests in each of its creative communities. Arts Connection was created to share knowledge and resources, supporting initiatives that engage, encourage and advocate community building through the arts, and offering funding solutions for progressive projects, art groups and artists. 

Position Summary

Arts Connections is hiring a full-time Associate Director to help build upon current program success and creatively scale and expand the vision for Arts Connection’s work in the County.  The Associate Director of Operations and Programs will work in close partnership with the Executive Director to execute the organization’s strategic intentions for inclusive growth and support. He/she/they will lead the organization’s internal and programmatic operations, and expand partnerships locally and regionally. The ideal candidate is an attention to detail, visionary thinker and self-starter with strong written and verbal communication skills and a demonstrated understanding of organizational budgets and finances. Experience with budgets and programs is required. Problem solving skills, successful grant writing, understanding of public relations strategies and the ability to work with diverse communities are essential. Emerging arts leaders from the Inland Empire are strongly encouraged to apply, especially underrepresented voices in the arts and culture field. 

Schedule:

This is a 40/hour per week position with some flexibility. Travel to meet with partners across the region may be required and will be reimbursed according to the annual IRS rate. 

Compensation:

Annual salary of $71,150 – $80,000 plus benefits, with an opportunity for advancement within the organization

Included benefits: partial healthcare costs reimbursement, worker’s compensation insurance, paid time off based on accrual of time worked, mileage for business according to the annual IRS rate, and a flexible work schedule.

Status:

Exempt position, averaging 40 hours per week.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Inspire others, creatively problem-solve and work collaboratively with staff, partners, and volunteers.
• Oversee internal operations and ensure successful implementation of programs and initiatives that Arts Connection oversees across the county.
• Ensure proper documentation and organization’s protocols are followed.
• Articulate Arts Connection program goals, mission, and strategy across the organization to clearly achieve those goals.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director in the programmatic design and evaluation framework. 
• Continuously seek to understand the evolving needs of the arts and cultural ecosystem of San Bernardino County and collaborate with the Executive Director on developing strategies to serve the needs. 
• Be resourceful, take initiative.

Specific Tasks:

Some of the roles of the Associate Director will include the following:

Program Operations and Support

• Work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and other staff and volunteers to meet strategic goals and objectives.

• Meet with staff for all programs, volunteers,and supporters on a continual basis to ensure programmatic success. Initiate partnership programs as identified.

• Research programmatic best practices and reporting requirements.

• Envision and coordinate special events.

• Coordinate strategic earned income revenue strategies and manage the revenue and staffing model of the community co-operative store at the Garcia Center for the Arts.

• Oversee programmatic data collection and tracking systems.

• Support Administrative Assistant with gift recognition programs and donor acknowledgements.

• Take on additional tasks as directed by the Executive Director

Strategic Development and Organizational Management

1. Collaborate with the ED and Board to provide insight into the strategic direction of the organization and related program planning.
2. Collaborate with the ED to develop and refine budgets for the organization, as well as program-specific budgets.
3. Collaborate with ED in managing organizational finances and nonprofit administration, as needed to ensure good governance and financial accountability.
4. Oversee each program budget and organizational budget goals are met.

Communications

1. Represent Arts Connection in a professional manner through presentations and speaking engagements. 
2. Provide insights and direction to the Communications Director alongside ED.

Qualifications:

• College degree in the arts, arts management, business, public administration or other related field, with minimum three years management experience; some nonprofit management experience is essential.
• Creative approaches to working with complex issues and an ability to implement self-care when needed.
• Excellent program management experience with a documented track record. Knowledge of the state art agency’s program and application platform is a plus.
• Active professional relationships within the San Bernardino County arts community, and the broader region. 
• Ability to assess the community’s needs and Arts Connection’s effectiveness carrying out its mission and modify existing procedures in response to those needs.
• Ability to speak up when a work plan or process is not achieving the intended goals or serving people in the community and agility to suggest and act upon new ideas/opportunities.
• Ability to develop effective work plans, organize details, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets, databases, and word processing. Familiarity with Quickbooks is  a plus.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills and excellent phone manner.
• Maturity, initiative, resourcefulness and an ability to inspire others, creatively problem-solve and work collaboratively with staff and volunteers.
• Ability to thrive in a small nonprofit and ‘wear multiple hats,’ as needed
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work as a team player with minimal supervision.

To apply: please send a one-page cover letter and resume to  alejandro@artsconnectionnetwork.org to begin the conversation. Application deadline is Dec. 15th, 2023, however, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Arts Connection – the Arts Council of San Bernardino County is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly believe that our organization benefits from the perspectives and talents of a diverse staff, and we encourage applicants of all educational, cultural and ethnic backgrounds to apply. 

Arts Connection’s Accessibility Policy

Arts Connection believes that the arts and access to arts and cultural experiences inspires innovation and expands our curiosity about the world and each other.  Moving away from an able-ist lens requires that inclusion of people with disabilities in our work, practice and programming becomes integrated and not an after-thought. 

We believe that accessibility is an organizational practice that benefits all artists and audiences. Accessibility approaches encourage learning, listening and growing together in this practice. 

Arts Connection provides accommodations for people with disabilities in our employment, programs, and services, including but not limited to accessibility technology, alternative methods of communication, physical accommodations, and flexibility in our planning.

Arts Connection strives to meet all audience needs and inquires about possible accessibility accommodations in our events and program information. We provide, upon request, alternative formats and languages, auxiliary aids, and services necessary for people with disabilities to participate in our programs and services, whether as artists, audience, or employees.

All staff and partners in programs agree to comply with the ADA and 504 regulations as part of their agreement/contract with our organization.

(language included is inspired by and adapted from Arts Midwest’s Accessibility Policy)

Questions? Please contact our accessibility coordinators: Kathryn Ervin, Board Chair at KErvin@csusb.edu