Executive Director

Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives; Grand Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Relocation support

Cell phone stipend

Job summary

Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives (GRAAMA) seeks an Executive Director to lead our growing cultural institution in Grand Rapids and West Michigan. You will oversee strategy, fiscal stewardship, fundraising, operations, and facilities while advancing our mission to preserve and celebrate Black history and community voices.

Ideal candidates have a BA and 3+ years in fundraising or operations leadership, with strong partnerships across boards, donors, and community partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 3+ years in fundraising or operations leadership.
• Ability to collaborate with the Chief Curator, board, and partners.
• Familiarity with Grand Rapids' Black community is a plus.
• Proven track record in donor relationships and securing foundation support.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations including fiscal stewardship, fund development, and facility management.
• Align with mission and champion history, culture, and community engagement.
• Develop and execute a new strategic plan for growth and impact.
• Oversee staff of 6 and day-to-day operations as the organization scales.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Operations leadership

Community engagement

Budget management

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

What started as a small gallery in 1988 started by the passion and love for history and community by its founder has grown into the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives (GRAAMA). GRAAMA's mission is to preserve, share, and celebrate the stories, history, art, & culture of African Americans in Grand Rapids and West Michigan through archives, exhibitions, education, and community engagement-connecting our local legacy & history to the broader American story and inspiring future generations. GRAAMA isin a period of growth,havingrecentlymovedtoanewer 30,000 square foot facility that willenable to us achieve our vision of being a premier cultural institution where the stories, history, art, and culture of African Americans are experienced, celebrated, and valued by all - connecting generations, inspiring lifelong learning, fostering meaningful dialogue, strengthening communities, and helping shape a more just future.

AboutThisRole:

As GRAAMA continues to grow and evolve, we are looking to add an Executive Director to lead our team and execution of our strategy. This role will report directly to the Board of Directors and spearhead the operations of the organization including all fiscal stewardship, fund development, operational efficiencies and facility management, as well as team oversight. In this role, you will:

• First and foremost, align with and champion GRAAMA's mission,and havegenuine passion for preserving and elevating African American history, culture, and grassroots community institutions.
• Bringdemonstratedexperience building trust and credibility within Black communities, along with strong cultural competency in African American history, heritage, and community engagement. Familiarity with Grand Rapids' Black community and history is a plus
• Utilize your bachelor's degree along with 3+ years in afundraising oroperations leadershiprole to effectively step in and lead the organizationin this next phase of growth. Years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Collaborate with the Chief Curator, board of directors,andcommunitypartnersto put our visioninto action andbring to life a new strategic plan that will lead us into the future
• Lead all fundraising efforts - from cultivating donor relationships to securing foundation and corporate support - andidentifynew revenue opportunities within our new 30,000-square-foot facility
• Own the organization's fiscal health: manage a ~$1M+ annual budget, delivertimelyfinancial reporting to the Board, and develop a long-term sustainable revenue generating business model, effectivelyallocatingresources to ensure exceptionalprogrammingand eventsthat align with strategic priorities
• Equip and empower the Board as ambassadors for GRAAMA, providing the tools and insight they need to advocate for our growth
• Overseeand manage our dedicated staff of 6,day-to-day operations,and facility management as GRAAMA scales into its next chapter

What We Offer :

• Opportunity to make your mark onand help shapean important cultural institution in West Michigan
• Growth potential
• A committed, supportive, and highly engaged board of directors and team
• Competitive compensation
• Flexiblehybridwork arrangement
• Relocation support for candidates outside the Grand Rapids area
• Cell phone stipend

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, hairstyles, or any other characteristic to join us in our mission.