The St. Johns Cultural Council (SJCC) is a 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 1999 in St. Augustine, Florida, committed to providing support for individual artists and arts organizations; promoting St. Johns County as a premiere arts destination; and ensuring that visitors and residents have access to high quality arts, culture, and heritage programming. Currently, the primary functions of the organization are to serve as the designated local arts agency (LAA) for St. Johns County and to provide arts, culture, and heritage tourism destination marketing, tourism product development, and management of the county’s Arts, Culture, and Heritage (ACH) Grant Program, through a five-year direct contract for services with the county’s Tourist Development Council (TDC).

In 2012, the SJCC was first awarded a contract to administer “bed tax” funds designated for arts, culture, and heritage grants and marketing for the county. This contract was recently renewed in 2023 for an additional five-year term. The most recent contract provides that the Council will develop a new cultural plan for the county, an initiative that will not begin until a new Executive Director is engaged.

The SJCC also maintains its LAA support program funded by state, federal, and other grants, rental income, and some targeted fundraising activities. Under the current TDC contract, FY2024 funding is $1.1 million with an additional ACH Grant pool of $700,000. With additional funding sources, the FY2024 budget will be approximately $2 million, with an additional $1 million of grants administered.

The SJCC leases and operates two venues listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the 1898 St. Augustine Waterworks, which houses its offices and a 135-seat auditorium; and the 1939 Cultural Arts Center at the St. Augustine Beach Hotel, a 6,000-square-foot building on the Atlantic Ocean that has two long-term tenants, a dance company, and an art gallery. A portion of the St. Augustine Beach Hotel is currently undergoing restoration with funding from the National Park Service and other grants.

The SJCC also manages the county’s Art in Public Spaces program and presents numerous exhibitions each year and works closely with the cities of St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach to present arts, culture, and heritage programming in those communities.

GEOGRAPHY

St. Augustine and St. Johns County are in Northeast Florida, 40 miles south of Jacksonville and 50 miles north of Daytona Beach. Tourism is the major economic driver. The community is internationally recognized for its arts, culture, and heritage offerings, outdoor recreation, and quality of life. The St. Johns County School District is rated as the number one school district in Florida. Florida does not have a personal income tax.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the organization, as well as oversight and adherence to the organization’s policies, procedures, and all applicable laws and regulations. The ED will ensure the ongoing efficient and effective operation and delivery of all programs and services. They will also be responsible for the ongoing promotion and enhancement of the St. Johns Cultural Council and its reputation and impact in the local community. The primary responsibility of the Executive Director is to ensure compliance, management, and execution of the TDC contract and to serve as chief executive officer of the county’s designated local arts agency, providing support to individual artists and arts organizations and ensuring that residents of and visitors to St. Johns County have access to high quality arts, culture, and heritage programming. The Executive Director supervises a staff that includes a Director of Grants and Operations; a Facilities and Events Manager; a Digital Media Editor and Public Art Coordinator; an Executive Assistant; a part-time Program Assistant; and a variety of interns.

KEY POSITION OBJECTIVES

·         Effectively utilize staff and third-party contractors in the implementation of the current five-year contract with the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council (TDC).

·         Develop new strategies focused on growing community support for the SJCC’s programs and services through individual donor cultivation, a new multi-pronged annual fundraising plan, and renewed corporate support.

·         Publicize and promote the involvement of the SJCC countywide in order to grow and be relevant for the current and emerging needs of the arts and cultural community.

·         Serve as the face of the SJCC in the community with active involvement in community activities that include effective public speaking and media relations.

·         Build strong strategic alliances in support of SJCC’s mission, vision, and strategic goals and objectives.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Vision

·         Leverage extensive professional and personal experience in engaging the local, state, and regional political arena as an advocate for arts, culture, and heritage.

·         Employ a strong vision of the role of a local arts agency in developing and implementing a broad-based program that supports the growth of local artists and arts organizations on both the artistic and administrative levels. The ED will use their knowledge and experience working with multiple arts, cultural, and heritage disciplines and the role that cultural tourism plays in that growth.

·         Assist in the development and approval of a new three-year Strategic Plan and ensure its implementation.

·         Formulate needed policies and strategic planning recommendations to the SJCC Board of Directors and solve problems that impede the effective implementation of the new Strategic Plan.

LAA and Tourism Development Activities

·         Utilize a broad understanding of working with large and smaller arts, cultural, and heritage organizations and businesses ranging from “legacy” institutions to all-volunteer groups.

·         Assist in the furthering of individual careers of contributors to the creative local economy through the evaluation of needs and the development of programs that help meet those needs.

·         Work to assist the tourism/hospitality industry, including the roles and responsibilities of Destination Marketing Organizations (DMO’S), lodging and hospitality partners, and tourism industry affiliates.

Financial and Operational Management

·         Implement and successfully manage an annual fundraising plan in concert with the Board of Directors.

·         Represent SJCC as chief spokesperson to government agencies, regulators, funding sources, donors, community and civic organizations, business affiliates, news media, and external stakeholders.

·         Ensure the effective financial management of all SJCC operations, including the preparation of budgets and financial reports in cooperation and collaboration with the Board and Director of Grants and Operations.

·         Ensure that the financial performance of SJCC is consistent with the TDC five-year contract and the annual budget approved by the Boards of Directors.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

·         Eight to 10 years of relevant, progressively responsible experience with at least two to three years in an executive leadership position. Strong knowledge and affinity for the cultural, arts, and tourism industry.

·         Broad-based experience in cultural tourism, grants management, marketing, historic preservation, and public art is strongly preferred.

·         Proven experience in administering an annual contract in excess of $1,000,000 for services.

·         Experience managing facilities/venues, within performing arts is preferred.

·         Demonstrated success in community engagement with the proven ability to impact corporate partnership relationships, effective community partnerships, fundraising activities, and related special events.

·         A progressive and creative view towards building and strengthening the organization and its capabilities to serve its various stakeholders into the future; a thought leader and effective champion for the mission.

·         Politically savvy and capable of understanding local, state, and national issues that may affect the organization, as well as the ability to advocate and promote SJCC’s values and importance to the community; adept as a coalition builder for community alliances and relationships.

·         Demonstrated experience in all areas of fund development, including state and federal grants, annual and special event fundraising, and private sector grants and sponsorships.

·         Strong business and financial acumen with solid strategic planning and implementation skills.

·         A proven leader who possesses strong management and development skills.

·         Outstanding communicator, listener, networker, and public speaker with a passion for the mission.

·         Current knowledge of the field with the ability to anticipate industry trends and the flexibility to adapt, plan, and manage accordingly.

·         Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study; a master’s or similar advanced degree or professional certification is strongly preferred.

CULTURAL COMPATIBILITY

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to and passion for working with a cultural, arts, and tourism organization. They will share and support the mission, vision, and values of SJCC and be willing and able to adapt their personal and professional style as needed to integrate effectively as the senior executive and contributor to the ongoing growth and success of the organization. They will be a high-energy, positive-thinking professional with a self-sustaining, individual motivation, a strong sense of purpose, and a belief that they can make a difference. In addition, they will possess and demonstrate the following competencies and behaviors.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

Motivation, Passion, and Commitment

·         Puts success of mission as primary driver above own interests; displays passion, vision, and commitment; inspires dedication to the mission and performance excellence in others.

Visionary Leadership

·         Displays passion and optimism; inspires respect and trust; mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.

Strategic Thinking

·         Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; understands organization’s strengths and weaknesses.

·         Analyzes market and competition; identifies external threats and opportunities and adapts strategy to match.

Professionalism

·         Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions.

Innovation

·         Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas.

Ethics

·         Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.

The compensation range for this position will be $120,000 to $150,000.

For more information about St. Johns Cultural Council and its programs, please visit https://stjohnsculture.com/.

St. Johns Cultural Council is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

Applications, including cover letters and resumes, and nominations should be sent to the attention of Mark Tarnacki at SJCC@PhillipsOppenheim.com.