Key Responsibilities
The Executive Director assumes an integral leadership role in managing a small team with big ambitions and stewarding key partnerships and sponsorships for the organization. Leading quarterly board meetings and attending regular committee meetings is critical to maintaining effective communication with both Board of directors and key stakeholders.
The main pillars of the organization are dedicated to supporting the signature Hawaiʻi Triennial event and on-going public programming. Duties include fiscal management, fundraising, meeting with partners and staff, attending board meetings, strategic planning, hiring and managing the day-to-day operations of the organization.
This position is responsible for ensuring these areas work smoothly and with attention to detail. Strong written communication and digital fluency is preferred. A collaborative and professional demeanor is essential. The selected candidate must demonstrate the ability to adopt new procedures when change is required to support the growth of Hawaiʻi Contemporary and when presenting the Hawaiʻi Triennial.
â—Ź Management (30%)
○ Facilitate curatorial strategic development plan for the Hawai’i Triennial 2025 and future periodic contemporary art exhibitions and public programming in Hawaiʻi (2028; 2031)
â—‹ Identify and establish key organization partnerships at a national and international level, including artists, arts professionals, and cultural leaders
â—‹ Communicate with Board of Directors & key partner stakeholders
â—‹ Develop and manage triennial (three-year cycle) program budget and oversees all annual project finances
â—‹ Oversee core staff including Associate Director, Development Associate, and Project Director; as well as key contractors including Curatorial Director, Associate Curator(s), Registrar, Project Manager(s)
â—Ź Development (Fundraising) (40%)
â—‹ Establish exhibition venue and partner agreements
○ Communicate with and steward donor, stakeholders and expanding development relationships in Hawaiʻi, nationally, and internationally
â—‹ Oversee the strategy, writing and presentation of grant applications (state, federal and private) and sponsorship (private, corporate, institutional) proposals
â—‹ Oversee donor development program and implementation of special events,
including annual fundraiser, triennial opening/closing events and on-going Director’s Circle events
â—‹ Develops and translates a fundraising plan into team activities and priorities
â—‹ Determines and allocates resources to achieve fundraising strategy
â—Ź Administration (30%)
â—‹ Recommends, prioritizes, and operationalizes team systems and improvements.
â—‹ Prepare monthly financial statements and present quarterly budget updates to the Board
â—‹ Manage all accounting, tax reporting, and execute major purchase orders
â—‹ Work directly with legal counsel on all matters requiring their services.
â—‹ Oversee all HR issues, develop job descriptions, recruit and interview candidates, perform reference checks and onboard candidates, and manage team deadlines.
â—‹ Work with Associate Director to manage public programming schedule and curatorial activities
â—‹ Work with Development Associate to write individual proposals and corporate sponsorships; manage donor database & acknowledgements
â—‹ Work with Project Director to oversee external communications and marketing