Background:
Located in beautiful Friday Harbor, WA, the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution that provides visual arts and programming aimed at sparking reflection, discovery, inspiration, and connections. SJIMA’s mission is to create a nationally accredited art museum featuring regional, national, and international exhibits that excite, educate, and inspire. Its vision is to be a premier educational resource, recognized as a prominent Pacific Northwest arts organization, embracing diversity and cultural awareness.
Overview:
Reporting to the President of the Board, the Executive Director (ED) provides leadership and strategic direction for SJIMA, managing day-to-day operations and its various programs. The ED will also work closely with the Board, volunteers, and committees to ensure that SJIMA is administratively and fiscally sound and that its programs continue to inspire and educate.
The ED develops, creates, and implements strategies supporting SJIMA, including capital campaigns and fundraising. The ED’s role includes acquiring, displaying, preserving, and deaccessioning works of art as well as curating exhibitions that reflect well on the museum and provide education and entertainment for the general public. The ED builds and sustains relationships with local and regional communities, museum donors and sponsors, and represents SJIMA to its external constituencies and the media. The ED fosters a culture of inclusion, mutual understanding, and respect.
Position Responsibilities:
- Understand and support SJIMA’s philosophy, mission, programs, constituencies, and funding requirements.
- Lead SJIMA’s programming structure and funding, including the curatorial process in creating and presenting exhibitions and programs. Recommend and implement program enhancements, including expansion where appropriate. Manage all installations.
- Ensure sound financial, operational, and information technology systems. Direct financial operations, including the budgetary process, financial reporting, and analysis of expenses and profitability. Ensure appropriate procedures and information systems support the overall operation. Recruit, supervise, motivate, and evaluate staff. Ensure that paid and volunteer staffing meets SJIMA’s goals.
- Plan and execute sound fundraising strategies to raise funds from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government. Ensure that plans are implemented, goals are achieved, and timely reports are generated. Establish and maintain schedules, objectives, databases, and tracking systems. Implement various strategies to market SJIMA and generate ongoing financial support to increase a permanent unrestricted endowment. Prioritize donor stewardship.
- Build and sustain relationships with local and regional communities and media outlets to support SJIMA’s activities. Maintain and further develop an educational outreach program.
- Develop strong relationships with the President, Board of Trustees, and Advisory Board to achieve SJIMA’s strategic and fundraising goals and determine strengths, opportunities, and weaknesses.
- Implement policies, goals, and objectives as established.
- Other duties and responsibilities as required, assigned, or requested.
Qualifications:
- Mission-driven administrator with proven problem-solving, fundraising, and management experience as an executive in an art museum or related not-for-profit organization.
- Demonstrated performance in balancing internal management with external presence and relationships.
- Show a track record of raising money, including capital campaigns, and attracting financial resources from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government sources.
- The capacity to personally interact with and cultivate donors, understand and promote standards of museum practice, and follow national standards and best practices.
- Understanding and experience with museum collection development and management.
Preferred:
- Experience with a strategic planning process in collaboration with the Board and Advisory Board.
- Experience with museum accreditation in liaison with national organizations such as the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Art Museum Directors.
Personal Characteristics:
- An inspired and dedicated leader committed to the institution’s mission and the people and community it serves.
- Outgoing, with the ability to share information easily, listen, give advice, and respect the skills and interests of others.
- Able to build consensus and effect change.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm, and the ability to motivate others similarly.
Position Details:
- Full-time position desired.
- Starting salary: $80,000 – negotiable and commensurate with experience.
Application Instructions:
Please mail or email a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to:
Director – ED Search Committee
San Juan Islands Museum of Art
PO Box 339
Friday Harbor, WA. 98250
Email: jobs@sjima.org
- APPLICATION PROCESS WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED –
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
The San Juan Islands Museum of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on age, race, sex, religion, color, or any other factor prohibited by law.