JOB POSTING: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Postion Summary
The Assistant Director is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of Kresge Arts in Detroit’s (KAID) program activities and communications. The position works—as a connector and skilled administrator—in concert with the Director to evolve KAID’s artist support and advocacy program, and serves as the primary point of contact for awarded artists. This position is full-time, with benefits. It is grant-funded, with a high likelihood of continuation.
Program Background
Administered by the College for Creative Studies, Kresge Arts in Detroit represents one aspect of The Kresge Foundation’s investment in Detroit, providing support to artists living and working in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Since 2008, Kresge Arts in Detroit has awarded over $9 million through 17 Kresge Eminent Artist Awards, 302 Kresge Artist Fellowships, and 62 Gilda Awards ($5,000 each). The fellowships are currently $50,000 each and the Eminent Artist Award is $100,000.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead the design and delivery of KAID’s artist support work—ensuring program goals and deadlines are met—and serve as primary contact and service provider for awarded artists
- Maintain artist support calendar and budget, coordinating as needed with KAID award recipients, staff, program partners, and contracted production and promotional supports
- Set and attain communications goals for email updates, social media, and program announcements and events
- Write, edit, and proofread digital and print copy, such as website content, newsletters/eblasts, social media posts, press releases, reports, and fact sheets
- Manage up to 3 full-time staff, and external contractors as needed
- Possess the ability to prioritize conflicting needs; handle matters expeditiously and proactively; follow through on projects to successful completion, often with deadline pressures
- Work in partnership with the Director to set the vision for the next chapter of the KAID program
- Remain informed of ideas, trends, and concerns in Detroit and nationally that relate to arts and culture, philanthropy, and individual artist support
- Serve as an ambassador and advocate for the program
Qualifications
- Leadership experience in the arts and culture sector
- Strong project management skill acute attention to detail, and the ability to handle multiple disparate projects effectively, and with care
- Demonstrated experience implementing artist engagement and/or educational programming
- Demonstrated knowledge in local and national arts and culture, community development, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors
- Able to manage and “manage up,” as well as work independently and collaboratively with other team members
- Superior written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate effectively on complex topics both orally and in writing
- Ability to interact with a broad range of people with diverse backgrounds and possess excellent constituent relations
- Adept at anticipating and avoiding potential problems, and to responding calmly and effectively when unexpected circumstances arise
- High emotional intelligence and excellent interpersonal skills; must employ good judgment, diplomacy and discretion; take initiative while being a supportive and observant learner
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice, including racial equity
- Tech savvy, proficiency with Zoom, Google Workspace, and MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
Desired Qualifications
- High level of interest in the nonprofit sector and experience with nonprofit organizations
- Demonstrates compassion, humility, and integrity with personal warmth and generosity of spirit
- Interest and aptitude for learning new skills and new content
- Shows initiative in finding data and researching issues
- Experience with Quickbooks and database programs
- Solutions-oriented, responsible, and empowered in approach to individual and team responsibilities
To Apply
Submit a letter of interest, resume, two professional writing samples, and information for three professional references to:
College for Creative Studies
Office of Human Resources – Kresge Arts in Detroit
201 E. Kirby
Detroit, MI 48202-4034
[email protected]