executive director search
About First Night Austin
It’s an exciting time at First Night Austin! For three consecutive years, we have produced a New Year’s celebration that has awed, inspired, and entertained over 125,000 Central Texans. We have accomplished this level of success through partnerships with the City of Austin, local artists, corporate sponsors, foundations, individual donors and a host of other in-kind support from public and non-profit entities. This year, we expect to continue building and expanding our organization and assure that First Night becomes a sustainable and enthusiastically embraced event for many years to come.
First Night Austin is a nonprofit whose mission is to provide Austinites and Central Texans with a free, family-friendly, alcohol-free, public New Year’s celebration that showcase the unique culture of Austin through expressive, creative traditions of performing and visual arts. On December 31st of each year, the stage for this celebration is the city's plazas, parks, streets, storefronts, and building facades. Indoor venues host a palette of performing and visual arts. First Night Austin revives the ancient tradition of marking the passage of time with art, ritual, and festivity. For the past three years, First Night Austin has been creating a new tradition for Austin that celebrates the culturally rich and artistically diverse place we call home. In the coming years, First Night Austin will develop year-round activities to complement the new year’s celebration.
Governed by a board of 10 local leaders, First Night Austin is led by an Executive Director and supported by City of Austin staff, engaging more than 200 seasonal volunteers, employees, and/or interns. The organization’s 2008 budget of approximately $400,000 reflects continued community support. Strategic, relationship-based growth of donor income over the next three years is a key organizational goal.
The Executive Director Position
First Night Austin seeks a seasoned Executive Director who can build on its brief but rich history and move the organization into a new phase of sustainability through meaningful community partnerships.
Desired Experience and Attributes
The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors, provide leadership to the organization and manage day-to-day operations.
Ideal candidates will bring to the position a variety of attributes, knowledge and skills:
• Proven record of fundraising success with corporate, individual, foundation, and grant support
• Effective communicator, strategic and respectful collaborator, and “bridge builder” who can foster partnerships with funders as well as in the community
• Visionary leader with experience implementing systems, processes, and infrastructure necessary to take First Night to next phase
• Experience leading an organization through significant growth or a successful transition period
• Administrative experience as an Executive Director or CEO, including financial management, strategic planning, and resource management experience
• Passion for working with the cultural arts community
• Ability to collaborate with production staff to execute an artistic vision for a unified, exciting event
• Warm, engaging, and open interpersonal communication style
Job Description
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the effective leadership, management and financial health of First Night Austin.
In relations with City of Austin staff and other hired staff, the Executive Director will:
• Create, maintain and support an effective management team, building strong collaboration between stakeholders as well as the staff and volunteers
• Foster a climate which attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse team of top quality people
In development and marketing, the Executive Director will:
• Lead a successful fund development strategy, working closely with the board to maintain and increase current levels of giving while identifying new funding sources
• Raise the profile of First Night Austin by actively and effectively representing the organization to funders, community leaders and the community at large and implementing sound marketing and public relations strategies
In program development and administration, the Executive Director will:
• Execute a long-range strategy to achieve First Night Austin’s mission
• Ensure that all organizational policies, practices, and values are in compliance with professional standards and further organizational success
In budget and finance, the Executive Director will:
• Ensure First Night Austin applies sound financial and administrative practice through effective fiscal management
Work with the staff, Finance Committee, and the board in preparing a budget and see that the organization operates within budget guidelines
Application Process
To apply, please send letter of interest, resume, three references, and 3-year salary history to apply@firstnightaustin.org by March 31, 2008.
First Night Austin is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
