Categories: Employment > Professional
ABOUT US Spark Central is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that ignites the creativity, innovation, and imagination necessary for people to forge the path to their best future. We break down barriers to creativity like cost, confidence, and access by offering transformative programs, access to innovative technology, and a welcoming creative community for people of all economic backgrounds. Everyone deserves the opportunity to forge the future they imagine. As a 501(c)3 charitable organization, we rely on the generosity of community members to keep our membership and programs available at no cost so income is never a barrier to opportunity. POSITION OVERVIEW The Executive Director (ED) of Spark Central is the chief executive of the organization; this person is responsible for the general and fiscal leadership, as well as management of the entire organization, including programs, partnerships, fundraising, budgets, and internal/external relations. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for staff and volunteers, programs, growth, and execution of its mission. DESIRED CHARACTER TRAITS & TEAM CULTURE Like all members of our Creative Team, the ED will be expected to demonstrate: • Exceptional creativity, especially in terms of programming. • Strong sense of ownership and integrity, from small tasks to large projects. • Collaborative spirit and flexibility. • Willingness to have candid and curious conversations and to leave personal agendas at the door. • Excellent attention to detail. • Fabulous sense of humor and play. • Passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion. RESPONSIBILITIES The following list is illustrative, not intended to be all inclusive. The ED: • Collaborates with community partners to enhance community space, libraries and the arts in the Inland Northwest; develops relationships with community organizations and staff to communicate Spark Central’s vision. • Oversees the budget including planning, preparation, monitoring, and administration. • With the strong support of the Board, identifies, recommends, and procures potential revenue streams and new opportunities to fulfill the Fund Development Plan. Helps identify and nurture relationships with potential donors. • Coordinates internal and external communication, collaborates with other organizations to increase exposure and access to Spark Central. Demonstrates effective organizational skills in areas of hiring, coaching, collaboration, problem solving and goal setting. • Plans, coordinates, and directs the operation of Spark Central, ensuring compliance with city policies, city ordinances, and local, state and federal regulations. • Effectively manages self and a team of employees and volunteers to transition through change with flexibility and consistency. Leadership & Management • Ensure ongoing local programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, communications, and systems; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve the strategic goals. • Actively engage and energize volunteers, board members, committees, community members, program participants, partnering organizations, and funders. • Develop and support a strong Board of Directors; serve as ex-officio of each committee, seek and build board involvement with strategic direction for operations. • Translate board strategies into specific objectives, metrics, and plans. • Maintains smooth, day-to-day operations of the center with staff team and volunteer support. • Ensure effective systems to assess progress, and regularly evaluate program components. • Effectively communicate successes to the board and constituents. Personal & Team Leadership • Drives oneself and others, contributing to the performance of a strong diverse team. • Encourages self and others to set challenging goals and high standards of performance. • Articulates an inspiring vision that fosters energy, ownership, and commitment. • Celebrates and rewards other for important achievements. • Celebrate differences, enabling an inclusive environment. • Encourages differences, enabling an inclusive environment. • Encourages commitment to a common vision and goals. Selecting & Developing Talent • Attracts, develops, and retains critical talent, helping to get the right talent in place for Sparks Central. • Proactively identifies and attracts key individuals with the critical capabilities needed by Spark Central. • Provides honest, helpful feedback and coaching that helps others develop. • Makes placement and reward decisions that consider abilities and performance. • Evaluates capabilities and skill gaps in own area to build a balanced team and development. • Actively promotes the recruitment, development, and success of people from different backgrounds, reflective in staff, volunteers, and membership. Fundraising & Communications • Partner with the board to develop potential donors and sponsors, as established in the Fund Development Plan. Expand local fundraising activities to support existing program operations, eventual program expansion and center resources. • Deepen and refine all aspects of communications and branding—including the organization’s website, social media, and external relations. Additional Expectations • Coordinate and participate in meetings of the Board of Directors. • Attend evening and weekend meetings and/or events as are necessary for the achievement of the organization’s mission. • Assist in the selection, evaluation, and orientation of new Board members. ESSENTIAL SKILLS • The ED must interact effectively with many constituencies: volunteers, class participants, members, visitors, community members, donors/funders, school and civic organizations, and local and state government agencies. • The ED will monitor public trends in community building, libraries, and art programming, and provide recommendations for appropriate programming in keeping with Spark Central’s needs and desires. • Understands the role of technology in information exchange and ensures Spark Central employs current and innovative methods to engage multiple demographic groups. • Effectively supervise and develop staff and volunteers; implement evaluations of staff performance; model and demonstrate leadership skills to effectively participate as a team member in carrying out Spark Central’s mission. • Prepare and present clear and comprehensive written reports. • The ED must have experience and understanding of grant-writing, application processes, and grant management and reporting. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree preferred), or comparable experience. • Demonstrated experience teaching, engaging, and inspiring groups of people in a fun-filled educational environment; teaching experience or curriculum development is a strong plus. • Strong relational skills, including the ability to build value and inspire confidence in volunteers, youth, and community members of all races, sexual identities, and backgrounds. • Strong organizational and leadership skills with a willingness to delegate. • Strong written and oral communication skills. FLSA STATUS Exempt SALARY Starting salary range is $70,000 to $80,000 annually, with potential for merit-based advancement at annual reviews, as well as a generous benefits package. TO APPLY Submit your resumé, cover letter, and at least two professional letters of recommendation to admin@spark-central.org. In your cover letter, address your vision for Spark Central’s future and how you meet the specific qualifications listed for this position. Letters of recommendation may be sent in along with resumé and cover letter OR sent individually by the authors to admin@spark-central.org with the subject line, “Recommendation for [applicant name].” Spark Central is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, gender identity, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Read more about our employment practices at Spark-Central.org/policies.