Chief Executive Officer at Asian American Arts Alliance

Organization
Founded in 1983 by former Executive Artistic Director Randall Kline, the San Francisco Jazz Organization (SFJAZZ) is a recognized international leader in jazz creation, presentation, and education. Exploring the full spectrum of jazz performance from the music’s origins to present-day expressions, SFJAZZ’s mission is to develop jazz audiences in the Bay Area and beyond by celebrating jazz as a living, constantly evolving art form. All SFJAZZ programs reflect a spirit of artistic exploration, embracing the full breadth of jazz and its related music and striving to instill enthusiasm for jazz among all people.

Position Summary
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization’s business functions, including education, finance, contributed and earned revenue, business operations, as well as supporting artistic vision and programming. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will lead a diverse and talented team, ensuring that the organization’s mission is fulfilled in a financially sustainable and artistically excellent manner. In partnership with the Executive Artistic Director, they will represent SFJAZZ as a spokesperson and ambassador within the community.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Organizational Excellence

1. Build upon the organization’s current strategic plan in partnership with the Board of Trustees, ensuring alignment with SFJAZZ’s mission and vision.
2. Lead the organization with a focus on artistic excellence, community engagement, and financial sustainability.
3. Ensure effective management of daily operations across artistic programming, education, business, and administration.
4. Cultivate strong relationships with the Board of Trustees, providing them with regular updates on financial performance, operations, and strategic initiatives while partnering with them in governance and strategy.
5. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing organizational culture among the staff and leadership team, through securing and motivating a top senior team of leaders.
6. Embrace other Strategic Leadership and Organizational Excellence responsibilities, as needed.

Audience Development and Community Engagement

1. Serve as a visible ambassador and spokesperson for SFJAZZ, developing relationships with members of the community, including donors, civic leaders, community partners, and audience members.
2. Collaborate with the Executive Artistic Director to ensure programming reflects the organization’s mission, appeals to diverse audiences, and supports educational goals.
3. Expand SFJAZZ’s educational initiatives, creating pathways for underserved communities to engage with jazz through workshops, classes, and outreach programs.
4. Develop strategies to grow and diversify audiences locally, nationally, and internationally through innovative marketing and community engagement initiatives, and using technological approaches for greater reach.
5. Strengthen partnerships with local schools, cultural organizations, and community leaders to deepen SFJAZZ’s impact and reach, while building local, regional, and national awareness.
6. Participate in the arts and cultural sector by attending cultural events at both the local and national levels and engaging with relevant arts organizations nationwide.
7. Embrace audience development and community engagement responsibilities, as needed.

Financial Growth and Institutional Sustainability

1. Oversee the organization’s financial health, including budgeting, forecasting, and maintaining sustainable financial practices.
2. Drive contributed revenue growth in partnership with the board and development department by fostering relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors.
3. Maximize earned revenue streams through ticketing, memberships, special events, and merchandise.
4. Identify and mitigate financial risks, ensuring long-term fiscal stability.
5. Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive fundraising campaigns, engaging the board and other key stakeholders in achieving revenue goals.
6. Stay abreast of philanthropic trends, while engaging Trustees in new ideas and opportunities to enhance the donor landscape.
7. Embrace other Financial Growth and Institutional Sustainability responsibilities, as needed.

Traits and Characteristics
An entrepreneurial, strategic, and results-driven leader, the CEO of SFJAZZ will possess a deep commitment to the organization’s mission and a passion for the arts and cultural community, and Jazz in particular. With exceptional financial acumen and operational expertise, they will balance visionary leadership with pragmatic decision-making to ensure the organization’s sustainability and growth. A skilled communicator and relationship-builder, the CEO will foster collaboration among staff, board members, donors, and community partners. With strong values and impeccable integrity, they will bring a strong understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion, recognizing the role of jazz in reflecting and shaping cultural identity. This inspiring leader will have an innovative approach through imagining new possibilities for SFJAZZ and galvanizing stakeholders to achieve bold goals and expand its impact locally, nationally, and internationally.

Other key competencies include the following:

1. Leadership and Personal Accountability – The capacity to organize and influence people to believe in a vision while creating a sense of purpose and direction, while being answerable for personal actions.
2. Time and Priority Management – The dexterity to prioritize and complete tasks in order to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames.
3. Goal Orientation and Decision Making – The creativity to set, pursue, and attain goals, regardless of obstacles or circumstances.
4. Diplomacy and Conflict Management – The ability to effectively and tactfully handle difficult or sensitive issues while understanding, addressing, and resolving conflict constructively.

Compensation and Benefits
SFJAZZ offers a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package, including an annual salary range of $350,000 to $400,000 and a potential annual bonus based on achieving individual and organizational objectives. Benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays; health, long-term disability, and life insurances; and a voluntary 401(k) retirement plan.

Requirements

Qualifications
Applications from those with demonstrated success in organizational leadership, financial management, and fundraising are strongly encouraged. An affinity for and/or strong passion for the arts and cultural sector, with an understanding of the role of jazz in shaping cultural identity, would be highly valued, and applicants from the for-profit and corporate sectors will be strongly considered. The ideal CEO will have experience leading teams, fostering collaboration, and driving strategic initiatives. They should possess excellent communication skills and a proven ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including donors, board members, staff, and community partners. No specific number of years of experience or educational requirements are required.