Executive Director

Society For Contemporary Art; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care stipend

PTO and paid holidays

Job summary

Society for Contemporary Art at the Art Institute of Chicago seeks an Executive Director to lead strategy, programs, and fundraising, strengthening ties with the museum and Chicago's arts community.

The ED will oversee staff, events, acquisitions support, public programs, and a biennial gala, advancing membership growth and SCA's role as a dynamic, mission-driven organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in humanities, business or communications.
• Master’s degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• 5–10 years in nonprofit/arts sectors with budgeting and fundraising experience.
• Strong project management and event planning skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and operations for SCA’s programs, membership, events, and fundraising.
• Represent SCA externally as ambassador to AIC and partners.
• Manage staff, vendors, and collaborations with AIC curators.
• Develop and execute communications plans across channels.
• Oversee annual fundraising, including the Biennial Gala.
• Provide financial oversight with Treasurer and board.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising

Project Management

Budgeting

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in humanities, business or communications

Master’s degree in related field or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Society for Contemporary Art (SCA) at the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC)

Position Announcement

1. BACKGROUND OF THE ORGANIZATION
Founded in 1940, the Society for Contemporary Art (SCA) is a not-for-profit, membership-supported organization with an 86 year history of engaging the Chicago community in a dialogue about the art of our time, and acquiring works that enrich the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC). SCA membership is open to everyone and offers a range of support levels; the organization currently has more than 300 members.

The SCA’s work centers on four core programs and activities:

Acquisitions
In partnership with the AIC curatorial team, SCA members have a voice in selecting and purchasing a work of art each year to add to the museum’s permanent collection. Each cycle culminates in a public exhibition of potential acquisitions and an annual meeting at which members vote to select the work.

Public Programs
The SCA presents 6-8 lectures and conversations each year at the museum featuring leading contemporary artists, curators, historians, and critics. These public programs are free and open to SCA members, museum members, and the general public.

Member Events and Travel
SCA provides members with behind-the-scenes access and experiences at the AIC and other institutions across Chicago — including curator-led tours, artist studio visits, gallery tours, private collection tours, and an art-focused travel program that provides unique experiences across the country and internationally. These programs create direct engagement with galleries, curators, and artists, as well as social connection and friendship among members who share a passion for contemporary art.

Biennial Gala and Fundraising
SCA raises funds through annual membership fees, individual donations, corporate partnerships, and a biennial benefit gala. The SCA benefit gala raises funds supporting acquisitions and public programs, and engages current and prospective members and supporters in a fun, social, and creative celebration of the arts and of the SCA’s relationship with the AIC.

2. THE OPPORTUNITY
Building on 86 years of history, SCA’s next Executive Director (ED) will lead the organization into its next chapter — with clarity of purpose, membership growth, deep support for the AIC, and relevance within Chicago’s cultural landscape. Specifically, the next ED will focus on:

Membership Growth: With current membership over 300, there is an opportunity to grow and cultivate this community into the “go-to” way for culturally curious Chicagoans to engage with and learn about contemporary art.

Partnership with the AIC: Building on SCA’s strong track record of supporting the AIC’s Modern and Contemporary department, the ED will cultivate and strengthen the relationship with the museum and identify new ways SCA can support AIC’s goals and mission.

Presence within the Contemporary Art Ecosystem: The ED will engage with Chicago’s contemporary art ecosystem by connecting SCA members to galleries, artists, and other cultural institutions & leaders across the city.

Visibility and Relevancy: The ED will continue to raise SCA’s profile in Chicago, increasing its support for the AIC and its standing as a distinctive, valued part of the city’s cultural life.

3. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
In partnership with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for SCA’s programs, events, membership, staff, fundraising, and successful delivery of its mission. The ED will develop a deep understanding of the organization, its key partners, core programs, and operations, and will serve as SCA’s primary liaison to the AIC and to external partners.

Membership Cultivation and Growth
Working with the Board and Membership Committee, lead strategies to both grow the number of members while deepening engagement, connection, enjoyment, and organizational support among current members.

External Ambassadorship

Serve as the primary external ambassador for SCA to current and prospective members, the AIC, and community and civic partners.

Represent SCA to sponsors, cultural and educational arts organizations, and other stakeholders across Chicago and beyond.

Staff and Team Management
Supervise, support, mentor, and develop the SCA Manager (one full-time staff member) and temporary or seasonal staff and direct and manage service providers and vendors.

Build collaborative, working relationships with AIC curators and museum staff.

Communications

Develop and execute a communications plan that elevates SCA’s visibility in Chicago and beyond.
Oversee communications across all channels — direct outreach, website, and social media — to keep members, partners, and friends informed, engaged, and connected.

Acquisitions, Public Programs, Member Events, and Biennial Gala and Fundraising.

Lead innovation, risk-taking, and precision in the development and execution of all SCA programs and events.

Guide the annual acquisition process — including the exhibition of potential acquisitions, the annual meeting, and the member vote — in close partnership with AIC curatorial staff.

Facilitate public programs at AIC in collaboration with AIC curatorial staff including lectures and conversations featuring artists, critics, historians, and curators that are free and open to the public.

Ensure the execution of distinctive, creative, and mission-centric member events including gallery tours, artist talks, behind-the-scenes experiences at Chicago’s contemporary art institutions, collection tours, and a travel program.

Lead the planning and execution of fundraising efforts, including the biennial gala, in order to raise funds to support AIC acquisitions and SCA public programs.

Financial and Budget Oversight
Working with the Treasurer and bookkeeper, support the development of annual budgets, ensure accurate tracking and reporting of income and expenses, and provide financial reports to the Board.
Board and Committee Support

Serve as the primary staff liaison to all SCA Committees: Executive Committee, Programming Committee, Acquisition Committee, Membership Committee, Strategic Partnerships Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee.

Support Committee Chairs in agenda- and goal-setting.

Work closely with Board leadership to ensure Board members are empowered and well-supported in fulfilling their governance responsibilities.

4. CORE COMPETENCIES AND BACKGROUND

Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate volunteers — comfortable “managing up” with a volunteer Board and committees, as well as “managing down” with staff and vendors.

Excellent project management and people skills, with the ability to juggle multiple concurrent programs, events, and relationships.

High degree of emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and sound judgment in navigating a range of stakeholders.

Clear, confident communicator across written, verbal, and public-facing formats.

Strong initiative and the ability to identify and solve problems independently.

Ability to work effectively both within an entrepreneurial, dynamic volunteer-driven environment and within, and across, a large museum with established processes and systems.

A strong, genuine passion for contemporary art.

Familiarity with Chicago’s cultural ecosystem is a plus.

Experience and Qualifications

Education: Required: Bachelor’s degree in humanities, business or communications. Preferred: Master’s Degree in a related field (or equivalent experience).

Professional Experience: Five to ten years of experience in the nonprofit or arts sectors, with a demonstrated aptitude for managing logistics, budgets, and program and event planning, as well as familiarity with fundraising within non-profit membership organizations.

Technical Proficiency: Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace required, along with the ability to learn SCA’s databases and systems. Familiarity with design/layout and social media platforms a plus.

Salary and Benefits:

• $100-120K annual salary commensurate with experience
• health care stipend
• PTO and paid holidays