Executive Director

The Durham Art Guild is currently seeking to fill the position of Executive Director, a full-time position that will lead the organization in executing all aspects of its mission and operations. We require an experienced non-profit manager with a strong background in development and a strong interest in the arts. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and directly manages full-time and part-time employees.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Specific focus areas of the Executive Director will include, but are not limited to:

Development & Fundraising - Create a ‘culture of philanthropy’ to increase DAG’s capacity to meet the needs of artists and the community. Seek out new opportunities to improve DAG’s financial position. Utilize and grow new and existing relationships, and develop new partnerships with businesses throughout the Triangle. Work closely with the Fundraising Committee to implement the annual discal funding plan (grants, corporate and individual giving, sponsorships, special fundraising events and end of year appeal) to meet annual goals.

Leadership - Ensure that the organization makes progress on the strategic goals and priorities co-developed with the Board of Directors, oversee efforts of staff and volunteers to implement programs and meet deadlines. Report on progress and challenges to the Board and stakeholders.

Outreach - Develop strong recognition for DAG amongst regional artists and the community. Seek and foster new community connections and collaborations. Implement and monitor marketing strategies and outlets including website, newsletter and social media outlets.

Financial Oversight - With the Finance Committee and Treasurer, develop budgets and financial reports that enable the Board of Directors to make informed fiduciary decisions. Support efforts to produce annual tax returns and other reports as needed.

Exhibitions - Oversee the programs and operations of the DAG’s two primary galleries, as well as additional pop-up and collaborative spaces. Provide diverse opportunities for members and other regional artists and increase DAG’s profile in the community.

Programming – Oversee implementation of educational and community building programs including the Artist-in-Residency program, the Creative Mentorship program, and professional development events and community mixers. Cultivate, facilitate and maintain additional exhibition programming opportunities through the Art@Work program.

Organizational Management - Recruit, support, and manage staff, interns and volunteers as well as support project team members at other institutions and contractors.

Membership – With the Member Services Committee, recruit and retain members through clear messaging, networking and by ensuring that features for members and the arts community are developed and supported.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated success increasing revenues and philanthropic investments of public and private sources. Minimum 4 years of experience in development work including individual and corporate donor cultivation, annual appeals, fundraising events, grant writing, sponsorship etc.
• Excellent organizational, managerial, and communication skills with strong commitment to equitable practices.
• Experience with fiscal management, financial oversight, and budgeting. Minimum four years of experience managing an organization budget of $200,000.
• A proven track record in building and maintaining relationships that foster a spirit of collaboration.
• Passion for the visual arts
• Flexibility to work occasionally on weekends and evenings.
• BA and/or equivalent years of professional experience.
• Physical requirements: four plus consecutive hours of sitting, walking, talking, and listening; able to lift up to 25 lbs.; able to climb a step stool and/or ladder during installations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Power Point); Google Workspace, and Quickbooks

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the Triangle area arts community and knowledge of the resources it offers.
• Visual arts training and/or arts education background.
• Two plus years of experience volunteering or working in a curatorial or art handling field and/or gallery management setting and/or working directly with artists.
• Public speaking experience.
• Marketing and/or graphic design experience.
• Knowledge of trends in contemporary art.
• Art submission software knowledge (SlideRoom, Café etc.) and development software knowledge (Neon, DonorPerfect etc.)
• Prior racial equity training and/or community organizing experience.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish.