Executive Director

Summary

Description

Organization: Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange (CACHE) – https://cachecreate.org/
Location: Hybrid of remote and on-site work; Northwest Arkansas (must live in the NWA area)
Status: Full-time
Benefits: Full

Organizational Background

CACHE’s mission is to work with creatives, communities, and organizations to empower a more inspiring, inclusive, and equitable Northwest Arkansas, with a focus on emerging, underrepresented, and underinvested pockets of creativity.  CACHE’s work provides resources to artists and artist communities to democratize access to the arts and increase avenues for financial security for artists, creatives, and creative industry workers. CACHE focuses on infrastructure development, arts engagement and participation, grant making, data collection, advocacy and policy, and capacity building for the full Northwest Arkansas cultural sector, to create conditions favorable for local arts innovation. In addition, CACHE supports the elevation of Northwest Arkansas as a premier destination for the arts, with the goal of encouraging additional public support, cultural tourism, economic development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB) best practices.

Executive Summary of the Position

CACHE works in and between various sectors of the Northwest Arkansas community, creating connections between artists, creatives, nonprofits, municipalities, cultural institutions, and funders to build a more equitable and inclusive region. The Executive Director is passionate about our mission and able to lead our organization with excellence. The Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization's operations, including fundraising, program development, financial management, and staff supervision. As a mentor to the staff, the Executive Director will motivate and empower the team to achieve their best work. 

In addition to operational responsibilities, the Executive Director will be a passionate leader who inspires others to engage with the CACHE’s mission. They will work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure that the organization is fulfilling its mission and serving its constituents effectively. The Executive Director will also be responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, and community leaders. 

The Executive Director will be a motivational leader with a proven track record of success in nonprofit management. They will be passionate about CACHE’s mission and committed to achieving CACHE’s goals. The Executive Director will be a strategic thinker who is able to balance short-term needs with long-term planning. They will have excellent communication skills and be able to represent the organization to a variety of audiences. 

Position's Key Responsibilities & Core Competencies: 

Organizational Leadership & Board of Directors Relations: 

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to ensure that the organization is fulfilling its mission. 
• Provide regular updates to the Board of Directors regarding the organization’s operations and performance. 
• Work with the Board of Directors to develop and implement policies and procedures that support the organization’s mission and goals.  

Staff Management & Mentorship:

• Lead and inspire staff by providing guidance, motivation, and support, while fostering a positive, collaborative work environment.
• Offer regular feedback through coaching and performance evaluations, ensuring staff meet growth expectations and develop professionally.
• Uphold and promote the organization’s values and culture, setting standards for ethical behavior and identifying opportunities for staff improvement and growth.

 Financial Management & Leadership: 

• Oversee financial management and budgeting, ensuring long-term sustainability in partnership with the Board of Directors and Director of Operations.
• Monitor and adjust financial performance to maintain budget alignment, providing accurate reports and analysis to the Board.
• Collaborate on revenue growth and cost-saving opportunities while ensuring compliance with best practices and regulations in nonprofit financial management.

Fundraising & Development: 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy focused on major gifts and individual donations, aligned with the organization’s mission and goals.
• Cultivate relationships with high-level donors and funding sources, working closely with the Board and stakeholders to establish priorities, engage donors, and secure donations.
• Lead and support staff and volunteers in fundraising efforts, ensuring alignment with goals, effective donor stewardship, and continuous improvement based on best practices.

 Program Development & Management

• Develop and implement strategic planning to ensure programs align with the organization's mission, are effective, and meet constituent needs.
• Oversee daily program operations and continuously evaluate outcomes, making data-driven adjustments for improvement and growth.
• Ensure programs comply with regulations and promote them to key stakeholders to increase awareness and support for the organization’s mission.

Marketing, Communications, & Public Speaking: 

• Develop and execute a marketing and communications strategy to enhance the organization’s visibility and reach.
• Manage and maintain the organization’s brand and messaging across all channels.
• Serve as the organization’s spokesperson, representing it at public events and maintaining media relationships to secure coverage.

 Strategic Planning: 

• Work with the Board of Directors and staff to develop and implement the organization’s strategic plan.
• Conduct regular assessments for the organization’s performance and adjust the strategic plan as needed. Identify opportunities for growth and expansion and develop plans to pursue them.
• Ensure that the organization’s programs and activities align with the strategic plan and the organization’s mission and values.

Position's Qualifications

We recognize that people’s lived experiences and motivations for entering the arts sector vary greatly. Given this, we are open to a wide range of experiences and educational backgrounds. 

• 5+ years of senior leadership experience in Management, Human Resources, Finance, and/or Operations

• Track record of success in driving organizational change and results, building and managing teams of people, facilitating decision-making, developing and managing complex projects, vendor relationships and complex budgets

• Deep understanding of nonprofit financial statements & concepts

• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and development.

• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, Board of Directors, donors, sponsors, and other stakeholders. 

• Dedication to best practices around diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB)

A successful candidate would likely also:

Share CACHE’s values of creativity, beginner’s mindset, diversity and collaboration, integrity with humility, and a passion for empowering artists and creative communities:

1. Value being a team player with a sense of collaboration and a commitment to teamwork.
2. Treat other people with respect and resolve issues in a way that preserves and strengthens relationships.
3. Engage comfortably in growth roles and delegation. 
4. Prioritize practical solutions-based thinking.
5. Prioritize processes and results mutually, focusing on relationship-building, listening, and co-creation
6. Practice detail orientation and system thinking 
7. Communicate well: in person, via phone, and through written communication.
8. Be technology savvy: highly skilled with Word, PowerPoint, and Excel and can learn other programs – Submittable, Google Workspace, Monday, etc.
9. Be committed: Continual growth through ongoing professional development. 

Work Environment

Work is a combination of virtual,  on-site, and multiple locations throughout the Northwest Arkansas area.  The noise level in the work environment will usually be moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

How to Apply

Please email one PDF titled with your full name that includes your cover letter, resume, and three professional references (including relationship to applicant, years known, title and employer, and preferred contact information) to the CACHE team: team@cachecreate.org.

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