Executive Director

Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce; City of Poughkeepsie (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health savings account

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Paid sick days

Job summary

Cuunneen-Hackett Arts Center, Inc. seeks an Executive Director to lead the organization, manage staff and volunteers, and drive its programs in alignment with the Board’s strategic direction.

The role includes fiduciary responsibilities, fundraising, and ensuring high-quality venues; requires collaboration with community partners and adherence to CHAC’s mission.

Qualifications

• Arts-related degree with experience in general management of a not-for-profit or for-profit arts organization.
• Degree in business, marketing, public relations or similar degree with experience in general management of a not-for-profit or for-profit arts organization.
• Non-degree with a minimum of two years of experience reflecting competency in arts and business management of a not-for-profit or for-profit arts organization.

Responsibilities

• Participate with the Board of Directors in strategic planning to guide the organization.
• Act as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors on organizational activities and events.
• Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of CHAC.
• Ensure sound bookkeeping, budgeting, and financial planning aligned with the approved budget.
• Research fundraising sources and write funding proposals to increase organizational funds.
• Oversee program planning, implementation, and evaluation to reflect CHAC’s mission.
• Manage staff, volunteers, and employer-employee relations with performance appraisals.

Education

Arts-related degree

Business/Marketing/Public relations degree

Non-degree with 2+ years arts management experience

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Executive Director

Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, Inc.

Salary: Mid-$40's

This is an arts administrative and professional position involving the successful management and operation of the Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center (CHAC) according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director has overall agency responsibilities for CHAC staff, volunteers, programs, budget and financial planning, expansion, and execution of its mission, and goals. The primary duties and responsibilities of this position follow:

Leadership

• Participate with the Board of Directors in its strategic planning to guide the organization
• Act as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors on aspects of the organization’s activities and events
• Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization

Financial Planning and Management

• Overall fiduciary responsibility to ensure sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed by the organization
• Work with staff, volunteers, and the Board, specifically the Finance Committee, to prepare a comprehensive budget
• Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization of the organization to ensure financial stability
• Research fund sources, oversee the development of fundraising plans and write funding proposals to increase organizational funds within application deadlines

Operational Planning and Management

• Ensure that the operation of the organization meets the expectations of the Board of Directors, artists, funders, donors, volunteers, and maintains the high quality in the venues showcased by CHAC
• Provide support to the Board by preparing meeting agenda and supporting materials
• Maintain landlord relationship with CHAC tenants
• Oversee building security and maintenance on a 24/7 bases

Program Planning and Management

• Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the organization’s programs and services that occurs
• Ensure that the programs and services offered by the organization contribute to the organization’s mission and reflect the priorities of the Board
• Attends on site plays and other events, and programs that are scheduled weekday evenings, weekends, and holidays as appropriate

Human Resources Planning and Management

• Recruit, interview and select staff and volunteers that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further organizational goals
• Conduct an annual performance appraisal of staff which includes monitoring employee work on a daily basis

Community Relations/Advocacy

• Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, local and elected government officials, and other Art organizations to help achieve the goals of CHAC

Risk Management

• Identify and evaluate the risks to the organization’s staff, management, volunteers, property, finances, goodwill, images, and implement measures to control risks
• Ensure that the Board, and the organization carries appropriate and adequate insurance coverage

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Characteristics

Ability to work in an arts oriented environment at the directorial level in a not-for-profit organization; good knowledge of the various genre in the arts community; ability to prioritize projects and maintains communication with the board of directors; ability to be flexible with time availability to accommodate CHAC’s needs; knows the value of maintaining historical buildings; ability to write clearly and succinctly; good judgment; tact; initiative; thoroughness; awareness of the regional arts, media, social and political climates; personal characteristics necessary to perform the duties of this financial and administrative position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Arts-related degree with experience in general management of a not-for-profit orfor profit arts organization, or
• Degree in business, marketing, public relations or similar degree with experience in general management of a not-for-profit or for profit arts organization, or
• Non-degree with a minimum of two years of experience reflecting competency in arts and business management of a not-for-profit or for profit arts organization.

Benefits

(Eligibility to receive these benefits begins at the three-month anniversary of employment date.)

• $5,000 health savings account annually
• Two weeks paid vacation per year on the basis of one week per 6 months of employment.
• Eleven paid holidays (6 fixed: New Years, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and 4 floating)
• Five paid sick days per annum.

Timeline

December 31, 2026 Application Deadline

January 2027 Application Review

February 2027 First and Second Round Interviews

March 2027 Notification

April 1, 2027 Start date. One month of training with out-going executive director

Application deadline: December 31, 2026

Elinor Levy

Chair Executive Search Committee

Board Chair

Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, Inc.

[e-mail]

Position starts April 1, 2027.