Program Manager

Company: National Arts Strategies (NAS)
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area or U.S.-based Remote; 4-day workweek (32 hour model)
Date Posted: September 19, 2023
Application Deadline: Applications for this position will be accepted through Sunday, October 1

 

About NAS

National Arts Strategies (NAS) is an Alexandria, VA-based non-profit organization founded in 1983, that is committed to building and supporting a diverse community of arts and culture leaders who drive inspiring change for the future. NAS offers professional development opportunities, coaching, and a powerful network to arts and culture leaders at every stage of their careers.

The NAS mission is to build and support a diverse community of arts and culture leaders who drive inspiring change for the future. Its vision is a world in which everyone working in arts and culture is empowered with equitable access to resources and connected within thriving networks that benefit all people and our planet. NAS offers professional development opportunities, coaching, and a powerful network to arts and culture leaders at every stage of their careers. Founded in 1983, NAS has trained and supported more than 5,000 arts and culture leaders through its programs and offerings, establishing it as the preeminent trainer for practicing leaders in the field. It currently operates with a staff of ten and an annual operating budget of $3.3 million.

 

Context for Role

NAS is a small, collaborative organization, looking for a Program Manager: a highly organized problem-solver who will support a full range of logistics and project management activities. This position reports to the Vice President, Programs and Partnerships. The Program Manager is an integral part of our overall program delivery and mission achievement.

This position will support a vibrant, international network of artists and changemakers that we call our Creative Community Fellows. The Program Manager will manage up to four annual offerings of the Creative Community Fellows program as well as programming and engagement with the alumni community.

This position is phenomenal for someone who:

  • Is passionate about supporting artists and the work they do to promote community well-being
  • Loves to plan in-person and online events and pays attention to the nitty gritty to ensure participants are well cared for and always in the know 
  • Thrives on creating systems to  track and organize all the moving pieces of a project to keep a team on time and on target
  • Communicates effectively with everyone from our amazing Creative Community Fellows to our faculty partners

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About the Search Committee 

The search committee for this role consists of NAS employees from across functions, including:

  • Mariah Cesena, Program & Communication Operations Assistant
  • Gail Crider, President & CEO
  • Deryn Dudley, PH.D., Vice President, Learning & Evaluation
  • Kyle Jillson, Engagement Manager
  • Teddy Rodger, Program Manager
  • Carla Samson, Exchange Manager
  • Michael Tune, Operations Associate 
  • Sunny Widmann, Vice President, Programs & Partnerships

Bios for the search committee can be found by clicking on the staff member’s image here. Upon consulting with the committee, Sunny Widmann holds approval of final decision-making on this hire. 

 

Board of Directors

NAS board members are relatively new to their roles – the longest serving member has 3-4 years tenure; however, many have deep and long standing connections to the organization. They are an insightful and supportive group – many are NAS alumni or partners (past and present). The board doesn’t have fundraising responsibilities but does support NAS to build relationships and make connections within the arts community. The relationship between the board and the team is positive, and the board’s contribution as thought leaders in the work is greatly appreciated.

 

To learn more about those serving on the NAS Board of Directors, click here.

 

Work Culture

There is a high level of trust among this small but mighty team. The whole team works remotely, with the exception of an annual board meeting and dedicated planning retreats, so they have to work collaboratively and generously, navigating the realities of a remote work environment that operates on a 4-day work week (32 hour model). This means that each person is encouraged to set their own schedule that allows them to do their best work, and the team is committed to being flexible as they negotiate time to connect based on shared priorities. 

Overall the team is dedicated to fulfilling NAS’s vision and holds each other accountable for working in ways that align with the organizational values. There is an incredible amount of pride throughout the team about the amazing work happening in communities across the globe. They are passionate about the work they do supporting and connecting arts leaders and organizations – if anything they wish they could be even more in touch with the community they serve, and more consistent in their approach to outreach. 

They strive to be consultative in their decision-making processes, gathering multiple perspectives and seeking to produce the best work possible. They notice when there is an opportunity to improve systems, processes, or procedures, and they encourage each other to take the necessary steps, whether it is streamlining activities for efficiency, creating more inclusivity, or just finding ways of bringing as much fun and levity as possible to the work. 

 

Values Commitment

NAS’s values are:

  • Integrity: To NAS, this means being honest, thoughtful, and transparent. It means keeping their promises and always doing the right thing.
  • Collaboration: NAS works in teams and partnerships, building with communities, and engaging in collective action, because they know that working in this way yields the most meaningful results.
  • Equity: NAS calls out systems of oppression, rejects structural racism and discrimination, and fights to remove all barriers to access because they deeply believe in equal opportunities for all.
  • Learning: NAS leads with curiosity, evaluates consistently, listens actively, invites dissent, and seeks out others looking to grow and challenge themselves.

NAS’s commitment to their values is ongoing. The organization integrates reflection and evaluation into key moments to support continuous improvement and decision making, regularly engaging external contractors to bring different lenses into their learning. The team is in process of reviewing key policies and offerings to make sure they continue to meet the needs of the organization. 

 

Design Principles

NAS programs provide access for their community members to academia and opportunities. They mix skill sets and mindsets, broaden perspectives and networks. They remove silos and open doors, pushing boundaries of what’s possible. NAS’s design principles have been co-developed with the community and the team strives to create:

  • Equitable Access: If they don’t work to dismantle inequity, they become complicit in it. That’s why at NAS they design their programs to be accessible to all, actively engage partners and participants in marginalized communities, and bring equity work into all of their programs.
  • Courageous Conversations: Tough dialogue is an essential part of meaningful change and the force that drives action. NAS offers visionary leaders of today and tomorrow the tools and support to have the important and sometimes challenging discussions that enable more potent strategic decisions.
  • Critical Thinking: With new strategies and skills, leaders can more effectively challenge existing processes and methods. At NAS, they develop and deliver programming in partnership with leading thinkers and academics, chosen for their relevance, rigor, and reputation.
  • Building Bridges: Bringing together unlike leaders from a diverse range of disciplines, geographies, and roles yields powerful results: wide-ranging networks and unexpected partnerships that spark transformative change.
  • Strategic Transformation: In times of social, political, and economic uncertainty, there is greater opportunity for change. NAS gives leaders the tools, support, and space to critically reimagine their business models, impact, and roles in their communities.
  • Sustainability: NAS provides space for reflection, self-care, joy, and fun and incorporates environmentally sustainable practices to ensure arts and culture leaders have the long-term support they need to achieve their vision.

 

Annual Budget

NAS has an annual budget of $3.3M. The majority of the funding portfolio consists of grants and the remainder is from contracts/fee for service.

 

Position Description 

  • Organization: National Arts Strategies (NAS)
  • Role: Program Manager
  • Overview: A newly-created position for NAS that allocates roughly 80% of its capacity to managing NAS’s Creative Community Fellows program in all its locations, as well as its alumni activities. The remaining 20% of time will be devoted to all-organization efforts such as NAS Homecoming and administrative duties as assigned.
  • Type of Employment: Salaried, exempt
  • Reports to: Vice President, Programs & Partnerships
  • Important Relationships: This role works closely with the  Program & Communication Operations Assistant and the Engagement Manager. They will also work closely with our external contractors and Fellows.  
  • Supporting Resources: While this role has no direct supervisory accountability, during programs this role may indirectly supervise or lead the efforts of specific program delivery or other roles that support the programs. 

 

Responsibilities

This position will support a vibrant, international network of artists and changemakers that we call our Creative Community Fellows (CCF).  The CCF program brings together individuals using arts and culture to celebrate their communities for an eight-month fellowship that includes multiple gatherings online and in person. The Program Manager also manages the robust alumni experience that Fellows begin after the conclusion of their program cycle.

Specific responsibilities include:. 

  • Support the overall design, delivery and evaluation of NAS programs, specifically our Creative Community Fellows programs and alumni activities
  • Coordinate and manage timelines for 4-5 CCF initiatives at time, ensuring that deadlines are set and met
  • Manage and track regranting activities 
  • Facilitate meetings and gatherings internally with NAS team members and externally with the Creative Community Fellows 
  • Collaborate with and guide the Program & Communication Operations Assistant in their work to:
    • Organize online applications for the Creative Community Fellows program and other events
    • Serve as the front line of communication with program participants, informing them of key program updates and answering questions
    • Research travel logistics, book venues, and coordinate catering and A/V for CCF (and potentially additional) programmatic events 
    • Draft and send emails with logistical information to all program participants
  • Produce learning materials (e.g. slides, notebooks, handouts, nametags)
  • Work with Operations Associate  to manage contract and payment timelines
  • Additional duties and special projects as assigned 

 

Key Anchors (Required/Preferred Related Experience)

Research shows that folx from groups closest to the harms of institutional racism and inequality often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We believe that no one meets 100% of the listed qualifications. We are less concerned about whether you’ve done everything on a laundry list of specific things and more interested in cultivating a pool of candidates who want to join a connected, mission-driven, hard-working team of practitioners driven by creativity, curiosity, justice, and equity.

Ultimately, we are seeking applicants who have a blend – in some way – of the following:

    • Experience in project coordination and event management. About 2-4 years experience, regardless of the sector of work (hospitality, arts, education, etc.)
    • Skills in effectively communicating to groups. Demonstrated ability to write in a clear, concise, compelling manner. Comfort and ability to facilitate and lead activities at gatherings.
    • Project management skills. Organized, consistent and on time
    • Experience with or interest in the arts and culture sector preferred.

If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

 

Compensation

This position pays $60,000/annually, based on full-time hours. A 3% cost-of-living adjustment is usually applied annually.

 

Employment Benefits

Benefits Overview 

A review of employee benefits is currently underway to ensure the relevance of their offering meets organizational needs. At present, benefits include:

  • Medical, dental, and vision care at 100% premium coverage for employees + family
  • Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Basic Life and AD&D
  • 3% Employer-matched 403(b) Retirement Plan

 

Paid Company Holidays (2023)

NAS observes the following paid holidays: 

  • New Year’s Day (Observed), January 2
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday, January 16 
  • President’s Day, February 20
  • Memorial Day, May 29
  • Juneteenth, June 19
  • Independence Day, July 4
  • Labor Day, September 4
  • Indigenous People’s Day, October 9 
  • Veteran’s Day (Observed), November 10
  • Thanksgiving, November 23 
  • Christmas, December 25

If a federal holiday is observed on Friday (because it falls on Friday or Saturday), the office does not close for an extra day on Thursday. If a federal holiday is observed on Monday (because it falls on Sunday or Monday), the office does close for this observance.

  

Paid Time Off (PTO)

NAS offers the following paid time off for full-time employees each fiscal year:

  • Vacation: Year 1, 15 days, accrued monthly; Year 2+, 20 days. (Up to 10 unused days roll-over.)
  • 10 sick days
  • 3 personal days
  • Up to 30 days/ year for family care

 

Health and Safety

Proof of COVID vaccination or legally allowed exemption is a condition of employment. Masks may be worn at the employee’s discretion, but are not required when onsite at present.

 

Hybrid/Remote Work Policy

NAS is a hybrid office and has adopted a four-day work week (32 hour model). The team generally works Monday through Thursday, and availability on these days is required.. Although most of the team is based in the DC area and meet in-person on Wednesdays, this position can work outside of the DC metro area, anywhere in the United States. Travel (domestic and international) is required to attend programs, conferences, and other meetings (approximately 25 days per year).

Online collaboration tools are widely used by the NAS team, including Slack, Zoom, Miro, and Asana. NAS reimburses employees $35/month for internet and $50/month for phone to offset expenses related to working remotely. 

NAS is a team of individuals who share knowledge and resources such that they can do more and better together. Each staff member is expected to be a team player, self-motivated, and committed to upholding the values of the organization. The work environment is hybrid and one of high energy, high activity, and mutual support. NAS provides opportunities for learning and professional development, and a gratifying work experience.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

NAS is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity within our organization. They do not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, military or veteran status, or health/disability status.

 

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and an optional cover letter/statement of interest by October 1st via the button below. Our hiring process typically involves a combination of requests for more information submitted by video, and phone and video interviews. 

If you need accommodations to make this application process happen, please connect with us at info@artstrategies.org. We will work to support you through the application process via email, phone call, and/or video chat.

Learn More About The Creative Community Fellows Program