Executive Director

The Islamic Arts Society is looking for an Executive Director to assist with all aspects of our programming. This is a paid full-time position, paying $75,000 annually. Healthcare and 401k contributions are not included. Islamic Arts Society does not have an office, and you will be required to work from your home office. However, the incoming Executive Director must live in the city of Houston and will be expected to attend several events and in-person meetings throughout the year. Reliable transportation is a must.

About Islamic Arts Society

Since its founding in 2014, Islamic Arts Society has been committed to sharing diverse expressions of Islamic art to build relationships and enrich an inclusive and multicultural Houston. Our programming includes Islamic arts like calligraphy, henna tattoos, Ebru (paper marbling), painting, spoken word, music, film, comedy, and the sharing of international cuisine. We are an expressly non-political and non-religious organization, and our primary goal is to share the beauty of Islamic arts to contribute positively to the diverse cultural landscape of Houston, Texas and beyond.

We share the beauty of Islamic arts by organizing Islamic art display events and artmaking workshops throughout the year in art galleries, public libraries and museums across Houston, making our work accessible to multiple diverse public audiences. We host international art competitions, art education days in K-12 schools, colleges and universities. We have organized the largest and oldest Islamic Arts Festival for the past 11 years.

Job Description & Qualifications

The prospective candidate will have a strong background in nonprofit management and an interest in the arts. Islamic Arts Society has been board-driven and volunteer-based since our founding in 2014. We seek an inaugural Executive Director who is committed to our mission and passionate about building our capacity and expanding our impacts in the years to come.

The ideal candidate should have prior experience working in non-profits.

Duration: 40 hours per week for 2 years, renewable every 6 months (subject to performance)

Location: Remote job with weekly meetings with board members and frequent meetings with donors and partners.

Responsibilities

Implement a Two-Year Developmental Plan: Develop and execute a comprehensive two-year plan to drive the organization’s growth and long-term sustainability.

Donor Relations and Management: Cultivate and maintain relationships with current and potential donors, ensuring a positive donor experience and ongoing engagement.

Identify Fundraising and Grant Opportunities: Proactively identify new fundraising opportunities, including potential grants and partnerships, to support organizational goals.

Grant Writing: Write compelling grant proposals to secure funding from foundations, government entities, and other sources.

Diversify Sources of Funding: Develop strategies to expand and diversify the organization's funding base, including exploring new revenue streams and funding models.

Recurring Gift Programs: Design and implement programs to encourage and manage recurring donations, ensuring consistent and reliable revenue for the organization.

Represent the Organization: Attend a majority of the organization’s events throughout the year to serve as the primary point of contact for attendees, partners, and constituents.

Engage with Constituents: Actively engage with event participants to gather feedback, answer questions, and promote the organization’s mission, values, and initiatives.

Collect Feedback & Suggestions: Be available to hear and record feedback from event attendees, ensuring their voices are heard and communicated back to relevant teams within the organization.

Build Relationships: Foster and maintain ongoing partnerships with event attendees, community leaders, and key stakeholders to support the organization’s goals and initiatives.

Promote Organizational Goals: Help promote the organization's initiatives and upcoming events, encouraging participation and building enthusiasm for future engagements.

Act as a Liaison: Serve as a liaison between the organization and its constituents, ensuring smooth communication and effective collaboration.

Requirements

• Proven experience in event management, public relations, or a customer-facing role.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to connect with a wide range of individuals.
• Excellent communication and listening skills to collect feedback and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Ability to represent the organization with professionalism and enthusiasm.
• Availability to attend a variety of events, including evenings and weekends, as required.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively across multiple events.
• Familiarity with the IAS community and existing stakeholders.
• Experience in relationship-building and partnership development.
• A proactive and approachable personality with a passion for engaging with people.
• Ability to adapt to various event environments and handle diverse situations.
• After the initial interviews, we require the finalists to provide three professional references who can attest to the applicant’s ability to perform the responsibilities listed in this job posting.
• Extensive knowledge of social media