Summary

Description

Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director

Reports to: Rocky Mountain Arts Association Board of Directors

Position status: Full Time

Schedule: Flexible schedule based on needs. Weekends and evenings required.

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY

The Rocky Mountain Arts Association (RMAA) is one of the state’s premier performing arts organizations, producing a series of concerts each year and participating in dozens of community outreach events. RMAA is the oldest & largest LGBTQ arts organization in Colorado with two current choruses, the Denver Feminist Chorus (DFC, formerly known as the Denver Women's Chorus) and Denver Gay Men's Chorus (DGMC). 

The mission of RMAA is to build community through music. We have provided inspiring choral performances with themes of social justice, equality, and acceptance since 1982. We value entertaining, educating, inspiring, and empowering our audiences to create and nurture safe, supportive, and inclusive communities for our singers and for all citizens. 

Most importantly, we provide a safe environment and community for over 300 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, and asexual and/or allies to express their artistry. Our performances contribute to the diversity and vibrancy of the arts community in Colorado, and educational, cultural, and social enrichment for our audiences.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director (ED) serves as chief executive of Rocky Mountain Arts Association and, through frequent collaboration with the Board, is responsible for the overall success of the organization. The ED will foster a collaborative and respectful environment that facilitates the success of RMAA’s Artistic Directors and high performance of support staff and volunteers.

The Board delegates responsibility for management and day-to-day operations to the ED; they have the authority to carry out these responsibilities in accordance with the direction and policies established by the Board. The ED will lead the development and implementation of a strategic plan while supporting the Board as it carries out its governance functions.

As the primary spokesperson and revenue generator for RMAA, the ED cultivates relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders to meet contributed revenue goals as well as interfacing with the community through media engagements and public speaking. In addition, the ED serves as a key liaison to community organizations, dedicating time to building and sustaining strong, impactful partnerships.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Fund Development

  • Maintains and increases corporate, foundation, and individual sponsorships of DGMC and DFC, while actively seeking to establish new donors and sponsorships supporting RMAA’s mission and strategic plan.

  • Facilitates and leads the strategy to execute an effective fund development program and collaborates the Board with identifying and designing new fund development opportunities.

  • Actively markets and promotes RMAA revenue generating events.

• Fiscal Management

  • Oversees the fiscal activities of the Organization, including budgeting, reporting and auditing.

  • Ensures that organizational programs and services are produced in a cost-effective manner, employing an economic mindset while maintaining an exceptional level of quality.

  • Collaborate with Board Treasurer and chorus committees to create an annual budget to be approved by the Board. Adhere to this budget approved and provide regular budget forecasts to appropriate stakeholders. 

  • Ensures that dual controls are in place for all accounting with the RMAA Board Treasurer and contract accountant. 

• Legal Compliance

  • Assures the filing of all legal and regulatory documents and monitors compliance with relevant laws and regulations including, but not limited to, licensing and filing of all tax documents and reports.

• Mission, Policy and Planning

  • Collaborates with the Board to uphold the organization’s values, mission, vision and short- and long-term goals.

  • Collaborates with the Board to monitor and evaluate RMAA’s relevance to the community, its effectiveness and its outcomes.

  • Keeps the Board fully informed regarding the status of all programs and projects of the organization and on all important factors influencing organizational activities.

  • Remains informed of developments and best practices in human services, nonprofit management and governance, philanthropy and fund development.

• Management and Administration

  • Supervises RMAA administrative staff and volunteers.

  • Collaborate with DGMC Artistic Director and DFC Artistic Director to ensure consistent management and policy oversight for RMAA programs.

  • Manages day-to-day operations of the organization and assures a smoothly functioning and efficient organization.

  • Assures a work environment that recruits, supports and retains quality staff and volunteers.

  • Recommends staffing and financing to the Board of Directors.

  • In accordance with Board action and in adherence with board policy, recruits staff, negotiates professional contracts and ensures that appropriate salary structures are developed and maintained.

  • Specifies accountabilities for management personnel, both paid and volunteer, and evaluates staff performance annually.

• Community Relations

  • Facilitates the integration of Rocky Mountain Arts Association into the fabric of the community by using effective marketing and communication strategies in collaboration with contract marketing staff. 

  • Acts as an advocate, within the public and private sectors, for issues relevant to the organization, its programs and constituencies.

  • Serves as chief spokesperson for RMAA, assuring proper representation of the organization to the community.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and non-profit experience and at least five years of senior level non-profit management experience or the equivalent, is preferred for this position. Experience managing a performing arts organization and/or supporting LGBTQ+ people is desirable. RMAA will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can help RMAA to achieve its mission, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Knowledge of fundraising best practices with demonstrated ability to create and implement an annual fund development plan. 

2. Knowledge of finance, personnel management, planning, evaluation and nonprofit governance.

3. Knowledge of, and experience with, software programs for word processing, data collection and tracking, and budget management.

4. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

5. Skill at delivering formal, persuasive presentations to groups.

6. Ability to travel.

7. Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule to meet the demands of executive management.

8. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

9. Ability to organize and prioritize multiple responsibilities simultaneously and with minimal supervision.

10. Ability to ensure accuracy and clarity of data management and reporting.

11. Knowledge of issues and matters of concern to the LGBTQIA+ community.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The ED primarily works in a climate controlled office environment with frequent interpersonal interactions. Hybrid work options are available and this position requires frequent travel throughout the Denver metro area.

NOTE: This job description delineates the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees performing this job. Furthermore, this job description does not establish a contract of employment. Rocky Mountain Arts Association reserves the right to change job descriptions at any time, with or without notice, as service needs require.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The RMAA Executive Director is a full-time, non-exempt salaried position. The salary range of this position is $67,000 – $95,000 per year. Full time employees of RMAA are eligible to participate in a comprehensive benefits program that can be discussed on an individual basis. 

HOW TO APPLY

To be fully considered for this position, please complete the application form using this link: https://sites.google.com/rmarts.org/executive2025/home 

Using this application, please upload the following:

• Resume/CV

• Cover letter (2 pages max) outlining:

  • Your interest in this position

  • Your skills and previous experiences as they relate to this position

Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2025. Applications received after this date may not be considered. This position has an anticipated start date of July 1, 2025. 

QUESTIONS?

To learn more about this position and the organization, interested candidates may reach out to RMAA Board Chair Marcus Turner at mturner@rmarts.org.