EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Fairbanks Concert Association, Fairbanks, Alaska
Position Profile
Executive Director |Fairbanks Concert Association | Fairbanks, Alaska
The Position: Executive Director
Fairbanks Concert Association (FCA) has been bringing professional performing artists to Interior Alaska for 75 years and is seeking a dynamic, community-minded executive director to lead FCA into the next 75 years. The executive director will build on FCA’s reputation for innovative, diverse presentations and strong collaborative partnerships. The incoming leader will have the opportunity to continue FCA’s evolution to remain a cultural cornerstone of the community and engage diverse audiences into the future. The ideal candidate will combine a passion for and knowledge of a broad range of performing arts, experience in the presentation of the performing arts, and a demonstrated history of building effective collaborative relationships.
The Organization
Fairbanks Concert Association, the primary nonprofit performing arts presenting organization in Fairbanks, Alaska, will be celebrating their 75th season. FCA presents artistically and culturally diverse performing arts events with professional touring artists and creates outreach and educational opportunities for residents of all ages and backgrounds throughout Interior Alaska as a vehicle to strengthen our community. FCA listens to and appreciates its diverse community. Trusted by the community and its audiences, FCA is able to take risks with existing performances and present innovative new performances. FCA is a highly collaborative organization and elevates the voice of the arts and the community both locally and at the state level. Their collaboration with other Alaska-based presenting organizations helps strengthen FCA’s ability to attract professional artists to Interior Alaska.
FCA has a highly professional team of three full-time staff, as well as a number of contractors and volunteers that ensure high-quality artistic presentations and an exceptional customer experience. With an annual revenue around $600,000, FCA presents approximately 10-12 artists a year and numerous related community outreach events. Ticket sales are 60% of their annual budget; the rest comes from a partnership with the community, and includes grants from national, state, and local grants, sponsorships, and individual donations. Like many organizations, FCA has been affected by the pandemic, but diligent pursuit of relief funds and implementation of safety protocols has meant FCA weathered the pandemic’s challenges and is planning for a dynamic and successful 2022-2023 season.
Services and Program
- Performance seasons run from September to May each year and offer a broad range of performing arts projects that appeal to FCA’s Interior Alaska audiences.
- Community education and outreach brings professional artists into Interior Alaska communities, engaging the public in a variety of outreach opportunities.
- Coalitions and collaborations are critical to FCA’s mission. FCA partners with a wide variety of organizations to offer events and experiences that integrate arts, live performances, and activities for greater community impact.
Strategic Priorities
FCA updated their five-year strategic plan in January 2021. The next executive director will partner with the board and staff to deliver on the following long- and short-term priorities.
Long-term Priorities
- Expand audience, honoring diversity and open participation by every member of the community
- Invest in organizational capacity to support the needs for a healthy, growing organization
Short-term Priorities
The executive director will be joining the organization at an opportune time: The 2021-2022 season will be complete and planning for the 2022-2023 season will be well underway. This will allow the incoming leader space to learn FCA’s rich history and deep relationships and to focus on the following priorities over their first twelve to eighteen months.
- Ensure that the 2022-2023 season is well executed and plan for the 2023-2024 season
- Embrace Fairbanks – build relationships with board, staff, partners, and the broader community
- Understand community desires for artistic performances and partner with board and staff to identify opportunities to innovate and delight the community
- Collaborate closely with board of directors to revisit the strategic plan and set a shared vision and goals for FCA
- Partner with others in the community to identify new venue opportunities
- Ensure that FCA operations are modern, organized, and streamlined, including identification of opportunities for efficient practices and effective tools
- In collaboration with board and staff, explore the potential of and define FCA’s role in new coalition and collaboration opportunities (ex. Arctic Fest and DE-CRUIT)
The Leadership Opportunity
The incoming executive director will be building on FCA’s vibrant, welcoming reputation for innovative, diverse presentations and strong collaborative partnerships in and outside of the community. The new leader will be stepping into an organization with an engaged board, a sound financial position, and a dedicated staff that has recently grown from two to three full-time positions. In celebrating the growth and evolution over FCA’s first 75 years, the executive director will have the opportunity to continue FCA’s evolution to remain a cultural cornerstone of the community and engage diverse audiences into the future.
Fairbanks Concert Association’s exiting executive director has provided dynamic leadership for the last 14 years. During the transition of leadership, the incoming executive director will partner with the outgoing executive director to understand the plans for the next season, as well as the vision for the new collaborative programs, Arctic Fest and DE-CRUIT. The new executive director will partner with the board to define and understand FCA’s role in the development of these programs.
FCA’s next leader will work closely with a dedicated staff and board to reinforce the team-driven culture, ensuring staff members have a voice and participate in all aspects of the operation. Embracing FCA’s values of community, diversity, education, and high standards, the incoming executive director will steer the organization through the turbulence of the COVID-19 environment, grow and adapt to expand and delight audiences, and maintain a strong role in the community.
Key Responsibilities
The executive director is responsible for the effective day-to-day management of all affairs of the Fairbanks Concert Association. This position reports to the board of directors, supervises two full-time staff, and manages a number of contractors.
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Lead, develop, and support high-performing staff, creating an organizational culture that is warm, inviting, and conducive to achieving FCA’s mission.
- Build an effective team, engaging board, staff, contractors, and volunteers in fulfilling FCA’s mission and executing all performances and presentations to the highest standards.
- In partnership with the Artist Selection Committee and the Alaska Presenters Consortium, annually identify and select productions and artists that advance the FCA’s goals and objectives. Recommend the contracting of performances that provide cost-effective cultural enrichment and entertainment that align with FCA goals and objectives.
- Seek, schedule and conduct community outreach activities to engage the public in the performing arts.
- Ensure continued financial stability through sound fiscal management practices, including developing and executing the annual budget with board approval; supervise development of accurate and timely financial statements; and present regular financial reports to the board.
- Promote positive communication and strong working relationship with the board of directors. Provide support to the board and their committees. Attend all board meetings and assist with developing meeting agendas. Regularly report the organization’s status and progress.
- Promote public awareness and support of FCA and its activities, and advocate for the importance of FCA and the performing arts through public speaking, individual contacts, and participation in community affairs, public media, and advertising; collaborate with the board to steward outreach activities and draw in new audiences.
- Initiate and manage ongoing fundraising efforts, including grants, events, and individual donors. Pursue local, state, national and arts-specific fund development opportunities.
- Negotiate and execute all contracts relating to shows and operations, including artists, equipment, transportation, facility, etc. in accordance with approved budget.
- Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with individuals from a variety of organizations to advance FCA interests, especially local and state arts and cultural organizations, community leaders, local civic groups, and visiting artists.
- Be knowledgeable about changes in the field, the artistic discipline nationally, regionally and locally and provide relevant information to the board of directors to guide decision-making.
- Regular travel for booking conferences, including travel to New York and Pacific Northwest
Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate
While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences:
Attributes:
- A passion for the arts as a cornerstone in the community and an appreciation for FCA’s role.
- Ability to communicate effectively and comfortably in person, in writing, and in remote platforms; able to passionately articulate Fairbanks Concert Association’s mission and deliver compelling presentations to public and private audiences.
- Knowledge and appreciation of the diversity and uniqueness of Fairbanks and Interior Alaska communities and their audience development opportunities within the communities.
- An inclusive approach that respects and values diverse life experiences and ensures that all voices are valued and heard.
- Unwavering commitment to high-quality programs and customer service.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include nights, weekends, and seasonal fluctuations of work demands.
Skills and Expertise:
- Knowledge of a broad range of the performing arts.
- Experience with performance management, event planning, and productions.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully complete multi-phase projects; self-motivated and detail-oriented, with ability to organize and prioritize work on a timeline.
- A demonstrated history of building and maintaining a strong sense of community and effective working relationships with staff and board members, as well as with external partners, supporters, and business and community leaders.
- Demonstrated organizational management experience, including managing staff and nurturing a strong team environment and setting and achieving strategic objectives Experience leading and managing in a nonprofit environment is preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and monitoring budgets, managing cash flow, and efficiently and strategically aligning and maximizing resources.
- Comfortable diversifying and expanding revenue streams, including grants management and individual and corporate fundraising; able to collaborate with and support the board in executing a fundraising plan.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range is $80,000and $100,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Fairbanks Concert Association provides the following benefits: health benefits, paid time off, retirement benefits, workers compensation insurance, and unemployment insurance.
Application Process
To apply, email a resume and cover letter describing interest and qualifications to FCAsearch@forakergroup.org . For questions, contact Allison Fong, Executive Transition Guide at The Foraker Group. Communications will be treated with confidence. Deadline for application submission is April 22. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Resume reviews begin immediately. The search process will include a multi-step interview process.
FCA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.
FCA is especially interested in candidates whose background and experience have prepared them to grow our commitment to engagement and inclusion with culturally diverse audiences.
The Fairbanks Concert Association acknowledges that our home is on the unceded lands of the Lower Tanana Dene peoples. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and their ongoing stewardship of their ancestral lands and waters.
