Summary
Description
PlatteForum is seeking a new Executive Director to lead the organization in delivering its mission. Find out more about PlatteFroum at https://platteforum.org/employment
The organizations will begin accepting applicant materials on December 29, 2025.
FLSA status: Exempt, full-time
Reports to: Board of Directors
PlatteForum has been serving youth, families, artists, and community in Denver since 2002. The organization was founded to provide arts opportunities to professional artists and arts-based learning to under-resourced youth.
PlatteForum’s flagship programs include an award-winning youthmdevelopment and internship program, ArtLab, along with an international paid Artist Residency. Youth and artists from these programs are paired together to create exhibitions, build meaningful relationships, and use the arts to share about community issues and personal stories. PlatteForum also supports participants with stipends, a food pantry, materials, professional opportunities, and a safe space to belong.
MISSION: Using the arts as a bridge, we connect youth and artists with resources to reach their full potential.
VISION: We envision a world where youth and artists have no boundaries to success.
VALUES:
- Creative expression – We are an inspiring and uncensored space that ignites artistic exploration and self-awareness.
- Collaboration – We push boundaries and create partnerships to amplify our impact.
- Inclusivity – We celebrate and value diverse perspectives and believe in equity for all voices.
- Community – We foster provocative conversations and action on social issues that are important to our community.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
The Executive Director is responsible for leading PlatteForum and delivering the organization’s mission, vision, and values in partnership with the staff and Board of Directors. This will be accomplished through the following responsibilities and duties:
Leadership:
- Supervise, train, and collaborate with diverse professionals who make up the staff, providing guidance, resources, and professional development to enhance and support the organization’s culture.
- Foster an inclusive organizational culture where equity and accessibility are embedded across leadership, programming, and community partnerships.
- Together with the Board of Directors and staff, execute the organization’s most recent strategic plan.
- Increase the visibility, prominence, financial resources, relevance, growth, and community impact of PlatteForum.
- Act as the primary ambassador of PlatteForum within the community at large.
- Serve on PlatteForum’s Board of Directors as a non-voting member, guiding the governing body in partnership with the Board’s Executive Committee.
Outreach & Engagement:
- Cultivate and grow PlatteForum’s funders, supporters, partners, Board of Directors, volunteers and most importantly the youth, artists, and communities we serve.
- Meet or exceed PlatteForum’s annual revenue requirements of $650,000+, per year.
- Together with the Fundraising/Marketing Committee and appropriate staff, develop and execute a robust contributed and earned revenue plan that increases revenue diversity and stability.
- Work with fellow staff to develop and execute a robust marketing and communications plan that is tied to the organization’s strategic, fundraising and community engagement plans.
- Oversee the development and execution of public relations to promote exhibitions, programs and partnership, serving as the primary spokesperson for the organization.
Operational Management:
- Manage all financial processes in collaboration with PlatteForum’s bookkeeper, Operations Director, audit firm, and the Board’s Executive Committee, including budget development, monthly financial reports, accounts receivable, accounts payable, annual financial review (or audit), all bank accounts, 990 and state tax filings, and other financial duties as needed.
- In collaboration with PlatteForum’s bookkeeper, Operations Director, and Board of Directors, manage all Human Resources functions, including payroll, taxes, insurance, benefits, performance management, records retention, etc., ensuring all local, state, and federal laws and compliance are strictly followed, as well as PlatteForum’s community engagement standards.
- Working with the Board of Directors, manage all facilities contracts and negotiations to make certain PlatteForum has a sustainable and affordable home.
- In partnership with the Board’s Executive Committee, ensure all legal contracts and agreements protecting the organization are in accordance with local, state, and federal law. Maintain appropriate level of insurance to appropriately manage risk.
- Programming:
Oversee the development and staff execution of a robust programming plan and creative vision that provides the necessary resources to increase positive impact to our community. - Review and provide feedback to staff and board on the selection of new artists and high school interns to ensure all the selection process meets all inclusivity and legal standards.
- Work with fellow staff to oversee the Artist Residency Program including communication and coordinating support for artists.
- Work with fellow staff to curate and manage all PlatteForum exhibitions, performances, events, and lectures.
- Provide oversight of communications and marketing for programming and public events, such as exhibitions, lectures, workshops, community programs & fundraising events.
- Provide guidance to artists in the areas of curation, communications, marketing, and event planning when required.
Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
- Preference will be given to individuals who reflect the communities we serve.
- Two to three years experience in a senior leadership role is required, preferably in arts administration, fundraising, non-profit management, or a related field.
- This is an excellent opportunity for someone with senior-level experience, ready to take the next step to executive leadership.
- Proven success, with at least three years experience in fundraising, donor relations and stewardship is required, preferably with annual budgets of $650,000+.
- Demonstrated experience and relationships with state and local funders is required and experience with national funders is a bonus.
- Basic understanding of nonprofit fund accounting and financial processes including budget development, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, 990 filings and bank reconciliation is required.
- Two to five years of supervisory experience with a staff of five or more diverse individuals is required.
- Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills is required.
- Experience with public speaking engagements at intimate gatherings and large, public events is required.
- Basic understanding of employment law and experience managing human resources practices is preferred.
- Experience with board development and board governance is preferred.
- Experience working with historically marginalized communities is preferred.
- Experience working with artists and/or coordinating art exhibitions is preferred.
- Experience partnering with K12 schools and/or other youth serving organizations is preferred but not required.
- Related and demonstrated experience will be welcomed in lieu of a bachelor’s or higher degree.
DESIRED COMPETENCIES:
Leadership:
- Demonstrates a capacity for leadership that places the needs of others and the organization first, while helping individuals develop and grow.
- Actively communicates the purpose of the organization and a compelling future vision, while placing the organization ahead of any self-interests.
- Earns the trust of stakeholders by stewarding the organization through an approach centering on values, integrity, transparency, and consistency.
- Strategic and creative thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Demonstrates confidence and deep institutional knowledge when representing the organization.
Team Management & Mentoring:
- Delegates effectively by building the knowledge and leadership skills of team members through mentoring and coaching.
- Sets clear expectations, provides constructive and timely feedback/guidance and holds individuals accountable.
- Empathizes and listens to the concerns of team members and understands how best to handle situations professionally.
- Balances listening and talking, using active listening techniques.
Culture Building & Creative Environment:
- Ability to develop good working relationships to build a cohesive and engaged community, in a positive, creative, and equitable environment.
- Demonstrates a strong belief that art and creativity is an empowering tool for youth and artist success.
- Passion for promoting social justice programming and practices.
- Ability to cultivate and thrive in a team-oriented, collaborative, and creative environment, working with a diverse group of artists, youth, board members, donors, and community members.
- Collaborates with others to identify and address barriers to access and participation.
- Values cultural humility and demonstrates openness to learning from others’ lived experiences.
- Conveys information clearly and effectively and keeps stakeholders well informed.
Planning, Organization & Managing Change:
- Accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely and cost-effective results.
- Able to process information and manage responsibilities from multiple sources.
- Highly organized and demonstrated success in juggling changing priorities and deadlines.
- Allocates resources, including personnel, property, and money to achieve the goals of the organization.
- Ability to successfully navigate change through agility and adaptability.
- Remains focused, composed and optimistic when faced with adversity, disappointment, or opposition.
- Works to identify, mitigate and resolve conflicts.
Decision Making:
- Makes sound, independent decisions, while understanding when consensus and collaborative decision making are necessary.
- Utilizes critical thinking to strategically make decisions using objectivity, analysis, collaboration, and due diligence.
Other Requirements:
- Willingness and ability to work occasional nights and weekends.
- Must pass criminal and background checks/investigation and sign a confidentiality agreement prior to an offer of employment.
Benefits
Salary: $85,000 – $100,0000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Benefits: The organization covers 100% of the employee’s premium for health insurance and dental insurance. Employees may add family members to their plan at their own expense.
After the first 30 days of employment, PlatteForum offers a generous Flexible Time Off (FTO) policy. Paid holiday time off includes 8 holidays, 2 floating holidays, plus the week of December 24 through January 1. Paid sick time is in accordance with State and Local laws.
Geographic Location: The Executive Director is required to attend multiple events and meetings in the Denver-metro area and maintain relationships with local partners and funders; therefore, it is preferred they reside in the Denver-metro area.
How to Apply
Estimated start date: March 2026 (timing is negotiable)
To Apply: Please email resume and cover letter with the subject line “Executive Director Applicant” to
jobs@platteforum.org. Please do not send additional documents or materials. Please no emails, phone calls or electronic messages to current staff or board members.
Deadline to Apply: The organizations will begin accepting applicant materials on December 29, 2025. The job posting will remain active and candidates will continue to be reviewed until the new Executive Director is hired.
PlatteForum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Should an offer of employment be extended to an applicant, employment with PlatteForum is at-will and is subject to all Denver City & County, Colorado State and Federal laws.
