RI Council On the Humanities Seeks Executive Director
To apply: http://www.tsne.org/site/c.ghLUK3PCLoF/b.1352209/k.B068/Nonprofit_Capacity_Building_Leadership__Management_Support.htm
The Organization
The Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (RICH or the Council) is conducting a national search for a visionary leader, with knowledge and passion for the role of humanities in daily life. The executive director serves as leader and Chief Executive Officer of RICH, responsible for implementing the strategic goals and working with the board to assure high performance and accountable governance.
Former RICH Executive Director Mary-Kim Arnold strengthened the organization’s reputation as the preeminent funder of and catalyst for public humanities work in Rhode Island, in a wide range of communities and cultural contexts. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with a highly engaged board and staff to build upon successes to date, shape vision and strategy, align and develop initiatives, build public interest and mobilize funding.
RICH is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Sharing with the NEH the belief that “democracy demands wisdom and vision in its citizens,” RICH invests in individuals and local organizations — from scholars, filmmakers, writers and oral historians, to libraries, museums, historical societies and community organizations — that engage Rhode Islanders in the intellectual and cultural life of the state. RICH’s outreach to newly engaged community organizations that previously had not sought grant support has resulted in an increased presence in previously underserved communities. The organization seeks an executive director to actively support such engagement.
How the Council Defines the “Humanities”
The humanities are ways of thinking about what is human in terms of our diverse histories, values, ideas, words and dreams. They help to shape individuality and community and thus pose fundamental questions about the past, present and future. The humanities help us to understand commonalities and differences among people around the world and around the corner. Questions with which the humanities deal are found in all areas of study, but are most clearly identified with the following disciplines: history, literature, comparative religion, ethics, philosophy, archaeology, classical and modern languages, linguistics, jurisprudence, history and criticism of the arts, and those social sciences that employ historical or philosophical approaches such as cultural anthropology, geography, political science or sociology.
Organization Mission and Overview
The mission of the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities is to inspire and support intellectual curiosity and imagination in all Rhode Islanders. It was founded in 1973 and its purpose remains largely unchanged today — to promote public understanding and appreciation of the tradition of thought and accomplishment. The work of RICH is based on the conviction that history, literature, philosophy, civics, the arts and other fields of the humanities are central not only to formal education, but also to the daily lives of free and diverse people.
Since 1973, RICH has awarded over $6.6 million in grants to support more than 500 organizations, from daycare centers and local historical societies to colleges and universities, throughout the state of Rhode Island. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders have participated in Council-funded activities, including lectures, workshops, exhibitions, walking tours, oral histories, documentary films and many more.
RICH is the only source of public funding for humanities projects in Rhode Island. The work of the organization supports scholars, filmmakers, writers and oral historians and invests in libraries, museums, historical societies and community organizations. For nearly forty years, RICH has provided public service to the citizens of Rhode Island by investing in local organizations and individuals through grant making and public programs.
Executive Searches
■Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass. (Worcester, Mass.)
■Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex County (Somerville, Mass.)
■The Chore Service (Sharon, Conn.)
■Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity (Hartford, Conn.)
■Hartford Preservation Alliance (Hartford, Conn.)
■Rehabilitative Resources, Inc. (Sturbridge, Mass.)
■Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (Providence, R.I.)
■Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts (Worcester, Mass.)
Executive Director Position Summary
Reporting to a governing board of directors, the executive director will provide overall leadership and management of the Council. The executive director will have a prominent role as advocate and primary spokesperson engaging the diverse realm of Rhode Island’s social, academic, political, community and business communities throughout the state.
The board of directors seeks a leader with:
■Demonstrated knowledge, passion and shared vision for public humanities
■An appreciation for Rhode Island’s history, culture and regional context
■Leadership experience managing and implementing grant-making programs
■An appreciation for the value of diversity for the Council’s work
■An understanding of the ways technology can be used to enhance and promote the public humanities
■Experience partnering and collaborating with public, private and nonprofit institution
Areas of Responsibility include:
Leadership and Management
■Provide vision and facilitate strategy.
■Serve as key spokesperson for the organization.
■Strengthen and grow grant making to increase the Council’s impact.
■Ensure effective board engagement and support.
■Address developments, trends, challenges and opportunities in the humanities.
Fundraising and Marketing
■Implement and adapt fundraising strategies to shift organizational focus on cultivating and increasing private donations and solicit funding for programs and operations.
■Maintain productive relations with National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
■Oversee all fundraising campaigns including those related to programs, events, annual appeals and endowment.
■Leverage appropriate communication outlets and media including electronic and print collateral, RICH website, annual reports, press releases and online social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter etc).
■Identify new opportunities to reach constituents and partner organizations by leveraging technology and other resources.
Outreach, Collaboration, and Advocacy
■Foster productive internal and external relationships among members of staff, board and other stakeholder groups.
■Advocate for the humanities and for the mission of RICH locally, regionally and nationally.
■Create and strengthen partnerships.
■Work to ensure strategic representation of RICH board and staff at appropriate professional association meetings, conferences and other humanities forums.
Operations and Budget Management
■Supervise and mentor four staff: Rhode Island Council for the Humanities Grants
■Director, Communications Director, Program Coordinator and Director of RI Center for the Book.
■Assess and strengthen internal systems and resources.
■Administer and update personnel policies.
■Develop annual budget. Manage expenses, financial reporting and budget controls.
■Oversee annual audits.
Grants and Programs
■Ensure quality and consistency in grant program application, granting and reporting processes.
■Provide oversight of and strategic direction for RICH programs in a manner that ensures quality programs that meet needs and expectations.
■Create systems and methods that continually evaluate the value and effectiveness of RICH programs.
■Lead development and implementation of new program initiatives.
Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will be an engaging public communicator who is passionate about the mission, enthusiastic about marketing, effective at fundraising and skilled at strategic planning, finance, operations and inclusive management practices. Specific background qualities required are:
■Minimum five years senior management and leadership experience in a community and /or public leadership role; master’s degree or PhD in Humanities or related field
■Demonstrated passion and understanding of the humanities
■Experience with fundraising and relationship building; knowledge of grant writing / awarding
■Proven effectiveness at engaging, developing and managing staff resources
■Experience with PR and as public spokesperson
■Finance, budget and operations management experience
■Ability to develop and implement a technology plan
Personal and Professional Qualities:
■Leadership, management and vision
■Positive interpersonal and relationship building skills
■Commitment to community engagement and collaboration
■Critical strategic and analytic thinker with effective planning, project management and process facilitation skills
■Ability to engage and motivate people from all backgrounds
Competitive benefits and salary commensurate with experience and background. Limited relocation assistance, negotiable.
Application Instructions
This executive search and transition is being conducted by Third Sector New England’s Executive Transition Program with Transition Consultants Patricia Duarte and Mary Jo Kaplan.
Please include a cover letter with compensation requirements, where you learned of the position and any other relevant information (i.e. published articles) to support your application. Only electronic submissions sent through this link will be considered. All applications received will be acknowledged.
Due to the fast pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Interview selections will begin on September 10, 2012. The final deadline for submissions is September 28, 2012. The anticipated start date is on or near December 1, 2012, or as soon as the selected candidate is available.
Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (RICH) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates.
