Executive Director
Los Angeles (Hybrid)
Sterling Search, Inc. has been exclusively retained to recruit the new Executive Director of the California State Summer School for the Arts Foundation (California State Summer School Arts Foundation (the Foundation).
MISSION: Our mission is to educate and empower the most promising teen artists, without regard to financial circumstances. Our work supports creative California teens and families as well as the pipeline of skilled and talented workers into the creative industries in California.
In the early 1980s state officials and community leaders in California recognized that the state was facing increased competition for its third-largest source of tax revenue, the arts and entertainment industries. Film, television and recording studios, which had traditionally thrived in California, were being built in Florida, Texas and other locales, and productions were increasingly being moved out of state. Many of California's non-profit fine arts institutions, and the state's educational community, were feeling the effects of a diminishing interest in California from the commercial arts sector.
To address these concerns, the California State Legislature established a new state agency in 1985: the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA). Along with the School, the legislature established the California State Summer School Arts Foundation officially structuring this educational institution as a public/private partnership in which the Foundation would raise private sector funds for tuition scholarships, student recruitment activities and program development.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE SUMMER SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS (CSSSA)
Each summer, CSSA gathers approximately 520 students (95% from California) in a residential, multidisciplinary environment for intensive study in one of eight artistic disciplines from the performing arts to the fine arts. The State of California subsidizes tuition for in-state students and maintains a small full-time staff that runs the application and acceptance process, as well as the summer school instruction. Students are accepted on a 100% merit basis.
As the private sector partner, the Foundation provides programmatic, communications, and fundraising support to CSSSA and to prospective, current, and graduated students. From our flagship financial aid guarantee for CSSSA students to our decade-long partnership with the Herb Alpert Foundation that provides over $300,000 in annual college scholarships, we maintain our investment in CSSSA students and families well beyond their summer experience.
We take a comprehensive approach to supporting CSSSA students and programs, investing in outreach, scholarships, equipment, teaching artists, college access, professional development, and more. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors which works with the CSSSA Board of Trustees, appointed by various state bodies.
The Opportunity
The foundation seeks a visionary leader to step into a pivotal partnership with the Director of CSSSA, guide a dedicated team of three, and collaborate closely with an inspired Board to help shape the Foundation’s next chapter. The organization has just emerged from a meaningful period of transition, and the path ahead is filled with possibility, new clarity, renewed purpose, and the momentum to expand what’s possible for young artists across California. Its revenue is approximately $1 million a year and it boasts a healthy reserve of approximately $4 million. In the words of Board Member Michael Cannone, “This is a phenomenal opportunity for someone with deep passion for our mission to build upon an already strong foundation of programming and outcomes in the creative arts—all within a city that stands as one of the world’s capitals of arts and entertainment.”
With a strong foundation of programming, longstanding ties to the entertainment industry, and a cherished mission, the new Executive Director will build on the Foundation’s track record of success by strengthening its vision, advancing financial sustainability, expanding community engagement, and enhancing the impact of its programs. They will bring exceptional people skills, a creative spirit, and a demonstrated ability for Board development, communications and marketing strategy and, most importantly, a demonstrated ability to increase fundraising.
This moment calls for a leader with the determination to bring bold ideas to life. It’s an opportunity to build, elevate, and imagine—transforming internal strategy into lasting impact and helping the Foundation rise into a new era of growth and inspiration.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Board of Directors is seeking an innovative and accomplished visionary leader to inspire staff, board and volunteers to make an even greater impact. The new Executive Director will be charged with building on the Foundation’s track record of success by further developing the organization’s vision and achieving its goals for continued financial stability and community engagement.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Strategic Direction and Program Oversight. Working with Board and staff leadership, defines the strategic direction for the Foundation, consistent with its vision, mission, culture, and resources. Collaboratively develops annual goals and strategies with the ability to think creatively about setting and achieving the Foundation’s priorities. Understand and oversee current programs. Identify program strengths and weaknesses and pursue opportunities for increasing scale and impact when appropriate. Willing to try new approaches and new programs while employing data-backed reasoning when considering risk. Continuously evaluate impact and goals of ongoing programs.
• Fundraising. Oversees fundraising planning and implementation, including stewardship and acting as the Chief Development Officer managing current major gift donors and developing new prospects. Takes a personalized approach to donor relationships at the major gift level and ongoing stewardship. Works to identify, cultivate and solicit gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources. Seeks and supports management of government grants. Understands that growing philanthropic support is essential to the success of the Foundation, and as such, instills a culture of philanthropy in all programs.
• Board Management and Support. Develops a strong partnership with the Board of Directors, recognizing and activating their individual expertise and goals, together building a team environment that will take the Foundation to the next level. Utilizes their talents and networks, when appropriate. Facilitates and supports the Board by advising and informing Board members of the ongoing status of business operations, needs, and opportunities. Keeps the Board in alignment with good governance practices and productive Board work. Consistently focuses on Board recruitment and development to grow the group’s diversity, expertise and philanthropic capacity. Manages individual relationships with Board members as well as overall Board-staff communication. Shapes agendas and guides discussion at all Board meetings.
• Fiscal/Operations Management. Ensures the organization is operating on a sound fiscal basis and in compliance with applicable laws. Work with the Board Treasurer and any internal/external accountants to develop the budget and manage within the budget. Keeps the Board of Directors informed of the financial status of the organization and the annual audit. Keeps abreast of relevant best practices related to both workplace and programs. Continuously gauge efficiencies and work to streamline operations.
• Relationship Management. Understands and appreciates the value of relationships at all levels. Maintains cooperative working relationships with Foundation staff, CSSSA staff, and community partners. Engages and fosters critical relationships, including the Board of Directors, CSSSA Board of Trustees, donors, and prospects. Diplomatic and adept at navigating tense business situations among seasoned, passionate professionals with competing priorities. Able to approach relationships from a collaborative ego-free perspective that employs consensus-building communication. Seeks peaceful resolution to all situations.
• Visibility/Communications. Oversees the development of communications strategies that may include collateral material, online content, social media direction, video production, creation of scripts for radio, TV, and video broadcast, and other public- facing efforts. The Director ensures that CSSSA and the Foundation are presented in
compelling and appropriate images to relevant stakeholders. Works to increase CSSSA recognition and application numbers across the state through branding and outreach strategies. Serves as the chief spokesperson for the Foundation.
• Leadership. Leads a small, but savvy team to strengthen and support the programmatic, financial and operational goals, including attracting, retaining, developing, and motivating qualified staff. Ensure opportunities for ongoing staff development and mentorship, including the setting of goals and measuring of results to drive organizational performance and outcomes. Provides consistent and clear leadership to staff and ensures the development of an organizational culture that is characterized by a commitment to quality, collaboration, transparency, diversity, and mutual respect.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIRED
Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of relevant experience; at least 4 years in a
leadership positionA demonstrated track record of fundraising growth
Expertise in at least one of the following: communications, non-profit
administration, arts administration, or youth education.Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience in public speaking
and/or community buildingPracticed at forming relationships with all stakeholders and stakeholder categories
Experience in building a healthy office culture
Understanding of philanthropy community in one or more of California’s major hubs
Collaborative, with an appetite for consensus
Ease with out-of-the-box thinking, tenacity to execute strategies
Fluency with standard office software
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working with a non-profit board of directors and understanding of non-profit board policies and best practices
Experience with finance, accounting, or bookkeeping
Knowledge of issues related to programs that deal with minors
Experience with alumni relations programs
Knowledge of social media best practices and comfortable identifying successful
campaigns aimed at community engagement
Compensation
The salary range is $140,000 to $175,000 plus annual bonus and a generous benefits package.
Please contact Katie Croskrey for a confidential conversation and to learn more about this opportunity.
Phone: 760-305-3981
Email: Katie@SterlingSearchInc.com
Please direct all correspondence, emails, and telephone calls to Sterling Search, Inc. Any communication with Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles will be redirected back to Sterling Search.
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