AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

Folk Alliance - Executive Director in Kansas City, Missouri

www.FolkAlliance.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ORGANIZATION

Folk Alliance International (Folk Alliance), based in Kansas City, Missouri, exists to foster and promote traditional, contemporary and multicultural folk music. The Folk Alliance seeks to strengthen and advance organizational and individual initiatives in folk music and dance through education, networking, advocacy, and professional and field development.

Since 1989, Folk Alliance International has served as the headquarters for the Folk Music and Dance community. With more than 2,800 members worldwide and an annual conference that is one of the five largest music conferences in North America, Folk Alliance continues to grow and mature while providing a unique range of member services to its community. Over the years, that community has grown to include record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, music support services, manufacturers and artists that work in the folk world. Folk Alliance has five regional affiliates in North America: Northeast, Midwest, Far West, South East, and South West, that provide the grass roots efforts in their respective markets.

Folk Alliance's annual conference is attended by more than 2,000 enthusiastic members of the folk community and includes workshops, panels, performances and networking opportunities. In 2014, Folk Alliance will launch its Music Camp, held concurrently with the annual conference, as part of its earned income initiative. Folk Alliance is governed by an 18-member Board of Directors, comprising folk community and music industry leaders based around North America.

Folk Alliance has established a clear track record of balancing its budget annually. For the year ending June 30, 2012 Folk Alliance's annual revenue was $607,847. For FY 2013, the organization's revenue was $780,351 and the goal for FY 2014 is $1,001,860, an increase fueled by Folk Alliance's first Music Camp, a performance camp for both kids and adults who love folk and roots music.

COMMUNITY

Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri, with a population of 459,787 and a greater metropolitan population of more than 2 million spanning the Missouri - Kansas border. The city is well known for its contribution to the musical styles of jazz and blues as well as to cuisine, notably Kansas City Barbecue. In March 2012 Kansas City was selected as one of America's best downtowns by Forbes Magazine for its rich culture in arts, numerous fountains (more than 200 throughout the city), upscale shopping and various local cuisines.

Kansas City has a legacy of artistic and entrepreneurial innovation spanning more than 125 years. The Kansas City metropolitan area has launched a collaborative campaign, titled America's Creative Crossroads, highlighting the Kansas City area as an intersection of artistry and technology, designed to elevate Kansas City in the minds of residents, visitors, talented professionals and businesses. Arts organizations include Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Kansas City Ballet (all housed at the Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts); Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and the Kansas City Chorale. Kansas City is home to four professional sports teams - the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, the Kansas City Explorers and Sporting Kansas City.

Kansas City is at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, with four distinct seasons and moderate precipitation. Temperatures average 31 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and 81 degrees in summer.

Sources: www.kcmo.org, www.wikipedia.com, www.artskc.org

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director supervises and directs all aspects of Folk Alliance's operations and is responsible for the consistent achievement of the organization's mission. The position will maintain excellent relationships with Folk Alliance's worldwide membership and regional affiliates with a goal of continuing the organization's growth in membership size and engagement. The scope of responsibility includes oversight of the annual conference, budget, brand building & marketing, membership development, fund development, earned income projects, contract negotiations with and for performers, external relations, and the overall operational, financial, and administrative management. The Executive Director will oversee short- and long-range strategic planning and implementation, including the effective hiring, training, mentoring, and supervision of the organization's human resources while maximizing the organization's membership fulfillment and earned and contributed revenue capabilities.

The Executive Director will also provide support to best utilize the talents and resources of the Board, stimulate involvement, recruit new members, and work closely with it to ensure strong fiscal health and community relations. The Executive Director will build and sustain relationships with the Board, ensuring an energetic approach toward achievement of organizational and financial goals while educating, engaging, and energizing the Board in their role as fundraisers, policymakers, and community ambassadors.

The Executive Director will also be the chief spokesperson for Folk Alliance, holding the organization's mission, vision and values as a guide in representing it to many constituencies. The Executive Director will guide the membership, program and revenue growth, public image and increased brand awareness of the organization, articulating its impact to the folk community and the broader music industry. The Executive Director will be the primary point of contact with the membership and other key stakeholders, and will develop strategies, and define how institutional messages will be delivered to various individuals and institutions to increase visibility, brand, and earned and contributed revenues of the organization.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Membership and Community Relationship

Oversee all aspects of membership acquisition and retention, including international membership and affiliate growth outside North America. Continue and hone processes of increasing knowledge and appreciation of Folk Alliance and its members both in the folk community and the broader music industry.

* Develop and implement strategies to increase Folk Alliance membership and to maintain and deepen engagement with existing members and affiliate groups.

* Serve as primary point of contact between Folk Alliance and its members and other affiliates, developing a strong relationship with the membership.

* Continue the process of developing programs and benefits that enhance the value of Folk Alliance membership.

* Oversee advisory services to membership on musical recording and dissemination best practices, both legal and technical.

* Identify and develop opportunities for increased international relationships and affiliations.

Earned Income, Fundraising and Donor Stewardship

Oversee the earned and contributed revenue development programs, including creation of comprehensive plans that maximize income and having an active role in earned income generation and fundraising in consultation and cooperation with the Board and staff.

* Lead the organization's development programs, including its annual fundraising efforts, endowment, capital, planned giving and identify appropriate funding opportunities from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.

* Guide staff, Board, and volunteers in development activities, effectively cultivating, soliciting and maintaining strong relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, and government donors.

* Create short-term and long-term fundraising programs to support ongoing operations to ensure that adequate funds are available to meet capital and operating targets.

* Strategize the most effective donor stewardship methods with the Board and staff.

* Work with consultants and the Board to identify and implement strategies for continued growth in earned income from conferences, camps and other programs.

Governance and Financial Oversight

Provide support to best utilize the talents and resources of the Board, stimulate involvement, recruit new members, and work closely with the Board to ensure strong fiscal health and effective governance of the organization. Develop, monitor, and maintain fiscal responsibility for the overall budget, and ensure the most effective use of financial and human resources.

* Oversee management of cash flow and present appropriate balance sheets, income statements, and other financial oversight tools for Board review.

* Ensure the creation and maintenance of the appropriate budget that fulfills the organization's artistic vision and public mission and simultaneously maximizes earned and contributed income opportunities.

* Work with legal counsel, when needed, in representing and negotiating contractual matters, including with facilities, agents, promoters, presenters, touring groups,

ensembles, musicians, singers, and other independent contractors, as well as any collective bargaining agreements.

* Review major leases, purchases, loans, and contracts.

* Provide oversight on purchases, expenditures, and vendor relations.

* Assist in Board prospect identification, cultivation and recruitment.

* Orient, educate and engage Board members to maximize their effectiveness.

* Celebrate the successes of individual Board members and the Board as a whole in recognizing their contribution of time and resources as community ambassadors for Folk Alliance.

* Assist Board committees to develop and implement their goals and objectives and name appropriate staff liaisons to work closely with committees.

Operational and Strategic Implementation

Lead the day-to-day operations of Folk Alliance to ensure that members and other stakeholders have a first-class experience any time they interact with the organization, its staff, or at its events.

* Direct and integrate administrative personnel relations to ensure that the organization is effectively structured and staffed with competent employees. Interview, hire, train, and mentor staff, assign work, and provide performance appraisals on a regular basis.

* Refine, implement and monitor the current strategic plan and vision in coordination with the Board of Directors and staff, and assume joint responsibility with the Board for its implementation, reporting progress towards goals regularly.

* Maintain an organization with the highest ethical standards, and ensure that the Folk Alliance's employer obligations to its staff, both legally and ethically, are fully met.

* Oversee and coordinate advance planning and scheduling for conferences, programs, and events of all types.

* Ensure distribution of information and materials to members, presenters, performers, managers and agents.

* Manage the development, implementation, and monitoring of performer and other contracts.

* Oversee short-term operational and long-range strategic planning and implementation processes, including the effective mentoring and supervision of the organization's human resources, mobilization of performance and event resources, and decision-making related to appropriate use of fiscal resources.

* Effectively mobilize and utilize volunteers in support of the Folk Alliance and its plans, programs, and strategy.

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS

The selected individual will have a well-rounded set of competencies that sets him or her apart from others in the field. The Executive Director will have a high level of personal accountability, a demonstrated capability to manage time and projects, the ability to facilitate agreements between two or more parties, and will bring a strong customer focus to his or her work environment. The Executive Director will be a results-oriented, motivational leader who can maintain both a strategic and operational focus for the organization, the staff, Board, membership, and community. He or she will be a seasoned performing arts or music industry leader with experience across all aspects of the music field, a passion for folk music and a strong financial decision making background.

The position requires excellent knowledge and ability in events management, earned income generation, fundraising, marketing, membership development, branding and operations, including contract negotiations. It also requires superior skills in problem solving, setting priorities, delegating, coping with pressure and deadlines and multi-tasking. Leading candidates will establish goals that are relevant, realistic and attainable and will identify and implement required plans and set milestones to achieve specific impacts. The Executive Director will create and lead a proactive culture of personal and organizational accountability as he/she helps the Board, staff, members, corporate, foundation and individual donors and the community-at-large achieve shared success for Folk Alliance.

Excellent written and oral communications skills and outgoing personality, the Executive Director will be adept with both prepared and impromptu speeches and interviews. He/she will have the ability to give direction and guidance with the self-assuredness and confidence to enforce rules and regulations but be flexible in order to preserve a positive community brand image and stakeholder satisfaction.

QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to experience in the areas outlined above, qualified applicants must have a bachelor's degree plus a minimum of 8-10 years of related senior management experience. A successful track record in best business practices in the music field with a high level of leadership and fiscal management skills. The successful candidate should have an earnest awareness of and interest in the folk community and a passion for supporting its impacts. Working knowledge of all Microsoft office programs, FileMaker Pro, QuickBooks, electronic communication tools and musical recording and dissemination equipment and practices.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Competitive salary and benefits, including medical, vacation, sick leave, personal days, parking, holidays, periodic international travel, and the pleasures of life in the Kansas City region.

APPLICATIONS AND INQUIRIES

Send letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments to:

Ms. Laurie Dowling

Arts Consulting Group, Inc.

8581 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 406

Los Angeles, CA 90069-4120

Tel (323) 721.0141 ext. 7

Fax (323) 936.1196

Email FolkAlliance@ArtsConsulting.com

from LA Culture Net