Executive Director Opportunity at a Unique Non-Profit Arts Organization

The Sonoran Glass School is seeking a new Executive Director, a creative leader, to nurture the close-knit community of glass artists and steward the school into its future with a vision for glass in the Southwest.

About the school

Sonoran Glass School has been a center for glass artists since 2001. With the school’s mission “To inspire people of all ages to discover the wonder of glass art”, the curriculum includes the disciplines of glass blowing, torch working, fusing, and cold working. As a leading educational glass arts institution in the Southwest, the facility is the only one of its kind in Arizona featuring four distinct studios for glass arts. Sonoran Glass School serves the general public with beginning and intermediate courses, semester-long courses for college credit, facilities for professional artists, workshops by visiting artists, corporate team building programs, and community outreach and education events. Located in Tucson, Arizona, Sonoran Glass School is a 501(c)3 non-profit, public-access educational organization with an annual operating budget of $500k.

Sonoran Glass School is currently poised for expansion. To continue its growth, the Executive Director must be enthusiastic, personable, and connected in the glass and art world. Skillful facility management is integral to the continued success of the school, including the exploration of future facility options.

Truly an opportunity for the future, this is an exciting moment to be part of the legacy of the glass world in the Southwest.

About Tucson

Arizona has long-inspired artists who have been drawn to the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, while The Wall Street Journal has described Tucson as “a mini mecca for the arts.” In one of the fastest growing areas of the US, Tucson has a more affordable cost of living than many metropolitan areas. Tucson's art scene offers outstanding museums and galleries, an extensive filmmaking history, a vibrant music scene, a world-class University, and rich food traditions as the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy designated in the U.S. With a population of approximately 1,000,000 in the metropolitan area and uniquely situated in the Borderlands of the Southwest, the city embraces a blend of cultures, producing its own unique perspective and aesthetic.

Position Details

Position: Executive Director

Organization: Sonoran Art Foundation, Inc. dba: Glass School (SGS): A 501(c)3 non-profit, public-access educational organization

Location: Tucson, Arizona

Reports to: The Board of Directors

Salary: $84,000 per annum plus benefits

Job Responsibilities

· Development/Fundraising: Manage and grow all aspects of fundraising, including creating a development plan, manage Foundation grants, major giving, annual/member giving, special campaigns and events, donor and foundation prospecting and retention.

· Finances: Manage and grow all aspects of the school’s financial health, including developing and tracking annual and monthly budgets.

· Programming: Manage and grow all aspects of programming including content, scheduling of classes, and outreach programming.

· Marketing and Public Relations: Manage and grow all aspects of raising the visibility of the school through traditional and social media.

· Operational Management:

• Direct and build cooperation among staff and contractors, formulate and implement policies, work with the Board of Directors.

• Human Resources: Hire, manage, assess, and promote professional development of staff, faculty, and volunteers.

• Facilities: Assess and address the building’s daily needs, improvements, and repairs; explore and manage future facility options.

• Health and Safety: Maintain legal and regulatory compliance, see that all occupational safety regulations and procedures are followed.

· Engagement: Establish coalitions/partnerships within the Southern Arizona arts and cultural communities and beyond; Expand access to glass art beyond our current audience; Develop and grow the community of artists.

Applicant Requirements

· Proven experience in upper management at a non-profit

· Visual arts background with glass experience a plus

· Business and/or finance background

· Arts administration experience

· Fundraising experience

· Facilities management and/or real estate experience

· Public speaking skills

• Possesses visionary and strategic thinking

• Ability to interact with wide diversity of constituents

• Self-starter and goal-oriented

• Dedicated to increasing the diversity of students, staff, volunteers, and board

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sonoran Glass School is an equal opportunity employer. No employee, or applicant for employment, shall be discriminated against in any term or condition of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or sexual orientation.

To Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume or CV, and contact information for three references to apply@sonoranglass.org.