Position Title:  Executive Director

Job Status:  Full-Time, Exempt

Location:  Watkinsville, Georgia

Reports Directly To:  Board of Directors

Hours: Regular office hours are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. This position will be required to work weekends and evening hours for special events and meetings.

Position Description:

The Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF) seeks an experienced, visionary, and passionate Executive Director to lead the organization through its next phase of growth. The Executive Director will have full responsibility for managing OCAF’s operations, programs, and strategic initiatives. With a strong focus on fundraising, financial management, and stakeholder engagement, this leader will be crucial in maintaining the financial health and artistic integrity of the organization. The role requires deep experience in nonprofit management, arts leadership, and capital campaign execution. The successful candidate will be both a creative and innovative thinker who thrives in a fast-paced environment and a strong advocate for the arts within the local and broader community.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• ·         Leadership & Strategic Vision: Develop and execute a clear, motivational vision that aligns with OCAF’s mission and meets cultural and educational needs in the community. Guide the organization in achieving long-term goals through effective planning and decision-making.
• ·         Fundraising & Capital Campaign: Lead capital campaigns for facility upgrades and cultivate large gifts. Build relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government entities. Secure funding from city, county, and state governments.
• ·         Artistic & Program Oversight: Oversee the development and implementation of exhibitions, educational programs, and artistic initiatives that engage diverse audiences and elevate OCAF’s standing in the arts community.
• ·         Financial Management: Develop and manage annual operating budgets, ensuring the organization’s financial sustainability. Monitor revenue streams, endowment growth, and capital expenses for projects such as the facility renovation.
• ·         Project Management: Work closely with architects, contractors, and the Board of Director’s Facilities Committee to oversee the artistic vision and renovation of the facilities. Carefully monitor project budgets and timelines.
• ·         Collection Stewardship: Grow, maintain, and guide strategic organization of the arts foundation's permanent collection. This includes overseeing acquisitions, ensuring proper care and conservation of artworks, and curating exhibitions that reflect the foundation's mission. The role involves actively identifying opportunities to enhance the collection, fostering relationships with artists and donors, and ensuring that the collection is accessible and engaging to the community through dynamic and diverse exhibitions.
• ·         Board Relations & Governance: Collaborate with the Board of Directors on strategy development, policy implementation, and governance to ensure OCAF remains mission-driven and sustainable.
• ·         Community & Government Relations: Serve as the face of OCAF, maintaining relationships with local and regional communities. Advocate for arts funding and support among public agencies and government officials.
• ·         Operational Management: Oversee the day-to-day operations of OCAF, ensuring facilities are well-maintained, human resources are managed effectively, and that operational procedures promote efficiency and excellence.
• ·         Ethical Standards & Advocacy: Uphold and enforce professional codes of ethics, maintaining high standards in all aspects of the organization.

Qualifications:

• ·         Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in nonprofit management, arts administration, business administration, or a related field preferred.
• ·         Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years of leadership experience in nonprofit management, preferably in an arts or museum setting, with demonstrated success in fundraising, project management, and financial oversight.
• ·         Fundraising Expertise: Proven success in large-scale capital campaigns, individual and major donor cultivation, and securing governmental and institutional funding.
• ·         Financial & Project Management: Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, monitoring capital project expenses, and overseeing strategic initiatives.
• ·         Leadership & Team Management: Ability to inspire and manage a diverse team of staff, volunteers, and partners. Strong capacity for decision-making, staff development, and fostering a collaborative environment.

Skills and Abilities:

• ·         Positive, professional demeanor with the ability to act as an advocate for the arts and OCAF’s mission.
• ·         Creative, innovative, and flexible in approach, with the ability to handle multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• ·         A proactive, motivated team player who demonstrates urgency, priority management, and follow-through.
• ·         Exceptional communication skills with a proven ability to engage with diverse audiences, including donors, government officials, and community partners.
• ·         Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to work independently while maintaining ethical and professional standards.
• ·         Ability to work collegially with staff and partners across departments to achieve organizational goals.
• ·         Community Engagement & Advocacy: A demonstrated ability to engage with the local community and advocate for the arts at local, state, and national levels.
• ·         Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with nonprofit technology systems, including donor management platforms and financial software.

This role is an exciting opportunity to lead a dynamic arts organization through transformative growth and to make a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of Oconee County and Northeast Georgia.

To Apply  - Online application

Questions - executivedirector@ocaf.com