Executive Director
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:
Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by a dedicated group of artists, arts advocates, and community leaders. Located in the historic Brandon Mill in the Village of West Greenville, GCCA's mission is to enrich the cultural fabric of the community through visual arts promotion, education, and inspiration. It is the only art center of its kind in the Greenville, SC area, specializing in hands-on visual arts instruction. GCCA offers art classes for all ages and skill levels, private artist studios, free high-profile public exhibitions, and innovative outreach programs for underserved children and young emerging artists. Its vision is to build an engine for creativity and community building that crosses boundaries and overcomes barriers.
GCCA has already made its mark on the Greenville community and beyond, being named "One of Five Places to Visit in Greenville" by the New York Times. Over the past two years, GCCA also earned the distinction as the only arts organization in Greenville that remained open with no interruption of service during the duration of the pandemic (except for the mandated closure), thanks to financial support from its community and thoughtful adherence to safety protocols for events and programming.
GCCA is on solid financial footing, and its board recently approved a three-year strategic plan and 10-year vision that will guide priorities and decision-making. This places GCCA in an exciting position of strength to recruit a leader who will take the organization to the next phase of its evolution.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
GCCA is seeking an energetic and entrepreneurial Executive Director (ED) to continue to lead the Center into an impactful and sustainable future. The ED will be part of a dedicated team of five staff members who are committed to implementing the goals of the organization and making a positive impact in the community. Reporting to the GCCA Board of Directors, the ED will demonstrate focus, leadership, innovation, and a deep-rooted passion for the arts and for furthering engagement with the range of stakeholders and communities GCCA serves. This position will be responsible for fiscal management, operations and marketing oversight, and the development of a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support the current capital and ongoing operating needs of the organization. A proven leader, the ED must be an experienced non-profit generalist, as well as a dynamic fundraising executive who possesses drive, vision, and initiative, with prior success in campaigns, major gifts, annual giving, and volunteer engagement.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Fundraising & Financial Oversight
- Work collaboratively with the GCCA Board to develop and manage a comprehensive funding plan that includes diverse funding sources, including fee-for-service, annual giving, major giving, capital projects, corporate sponsorships, events, and grants.
- Cultivate and strengthen relationships to identify and steward donors and community partners.
- Maintain a high standard of oversight for the financial integrity and fiscal management of GCCA.
- Develop and track annual budgets to ensure the organization maximizes resources and maintains a positive financial position.
- Provide regular and transparent financial reporting to the Board.
Strategic Leadership
- Implement the organization's strategic plan and annual operating plan objectives, ensuring they remain consistent with GCCA's overall mission and vision.
- Manage staff with an empowering leadership style that fosters accountability, dedication, and respect.
- Demonstrate a commitment to data-driven impact and measurable results.
- Actively engage and energize GCCA's Board of Directors through participation in meetings, events, committees, and utilization of individual strengths.
Public Relations & Communications
- Serve as an effective, persuasive, and credible spokesperson for GCCA's mission and vision.
- Develop and implement an annual communication strategy, maximizing the use of various media platforms to build revenue, and strengthen awareness and engagement.
- Develop and review marketing content consistent with brand and strategic goals.
- Interact consistently and transparently with staff, Board members, studio artists, donors, community partners, and other stakeholders to garner support and create a feeling of belonging in the mission of GCCA.
Programs & Outreach
- Oversee operations and programming to ensure a safe, quality, and welcoming experience for all stakeholders.
- Provide strategic oversight of Art School programming to maximize enrollment and promote diversity in classes and instructors.
- Cultivate meaningful community partnerships that allow GCCA to have a broad and positive impact in Greenville, with a focus on inclusion, accessibility, and filling gaps for underserved populations.
Qualities Necessary to Excel in this Role
- Well-organized and well-rounded non-profit professional genuinely passionate about the power of the arts in the community.
- Savvy executive presence coupled with a strong commitment to organizational values, strategic goals, and mission.
- Superior command of verbal, written, and presentation skills and the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with a range of stakeholders.
- Focused leader with ability to prioritize, make wise use of resources, and avoid mission creep.
- Respectful proponent of the power of diversity and inclusion.
- Inclusive decision-maker who drives the mission forward while demonstrating hard work, resourcefulness, creativity, and independent thinking.
- Servant leader, with a strong sense of integrity and commitment, who is ambitious for the mission rather than for oneself.
- Natural delegator who empowers staff through clear expectations and thoughtful coaching.
- Energized by the prospect of taking a relatively young community arts organization into its next phase of growth and aspires to realize its potential to be a local hub for community arts education and outreach.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
- 10+ years of management or leadership experience in non-profit organizations or related businesses.
- Proven fundraising record, plus ability to develop and implement a sustainable funding model for long-term organizational success.
- Minimum bachelor's degree in non-profit, arts, business management, or related field.
- Excellent oral, written, interpersonal communication skills and the ability to relate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
- Enthusiasm, energy, and belief in the transformational potential that the visual arts can create in a community
- Natural problem-solver and decision maker, with a coaching mindset.
- Effective management of multiple, diverse responsibilities and flexibility to deal with shifting priorities and facilities issues associated with a historic building.
- Experience and confidence using Google Suite and Microsoft Office, as well as a variety of platforms used for billing, payroll, and CRM management.
- Ability to actively participate in GCCA and community events, including weekdays, and some evenings and weekends.
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship.