Red Cloud Indian School
Position Description:
Director of The Heritage Center
Application Deadline:
June 16, 2014
Red Cloud Indian School (RCIS) is conducting a nation-wide search for a dynamic, results-driven Director of The Heritage Center on the historic Pine Ridge reservation in southwestern South Dakota. This is a unique opportunity to serve as the lead officer of an institution that is poised for tremendous growth, furthering the RCIS mission which aims to integrate the Lakota and Catholic traditions and educate the hearts and minds of tomorrow’s leaders.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by Monday, June 16, 2014. Red Cloud Indian School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
About The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School
The Heritage Center is one of the oldest cultural centers located on an Indian reservation in the United States, and houses an impressive collection of more than 10,000 Native American and Lakota paintings, textiles, pottery, sculpture and historical items. Today, the Center hosts between 9,000 and 11,000 visitors from around the world annually, and was recently named as one of the top 10 “great places to honor American Indian life” by USA Today. The Heritage Center also serves as an economic engine on the reservation, supporting contemporary Lakota and Native American artists through renowned exhibitions and art shows, as well as a vibrant gift shop and online store.
The Center began in 1969 as the Red Cloud Indian Art Show and eventually grew into a home for cultivating and exhibiting fine arts, opening its doors at Red Cloud Indian School in 1982. The Center still operates in the historic brick school building, originally constructed in 1888 by the Lakota people and Jesuit priests and brothers. Over 600 Lakota students attend 3 schools operated by RCIS, and more than 800 families are served through pastoral ministry programs across Pine Ridge.
The reservation is noted as one of the poorest places in the United States, with unemployment rates hovering near 80% and per-capita income of less than $6,500. Death rates due to diabetes, suicide, drug and alcohol use, obesity and heart disease occur in epidemic proportions on Pine Ridge. In spite of these challenges, RCIS student outcomes are impressive. RCIS students are 12% more likely to graduate from high school than their peers, and the school has the highest number of the prestigious Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholarship recipients per capita in the country.
RCIS is guided by an expansive strategic plan that outlines the framework for actively promoting Lakota and Catholic spiritualities and practices through education, arts and ministry. The marketing, programming and exhibition activities of The Heritage Center will be integral to revitalizing and celebrating cultural identity, enriching our community of artists, students, visitors, staff and local residents over the next four years and beyond.
To learn more about RCIS and The Heritage Center, visit www.redcloudschool.org
About the Position
The Director is a full-time, exempt position reporting directly to the Executive Vice President of RCIS. The Director serves as the lead officer of The Heritage Center and sits on the leadership team, working collaboratively with Finance, Advancement, External Affairs and Education department leads to oversee all aspects of operations and ensure long-term growth. The Director leads a professional staff of 4 full-time employees, 2 part-time employees and a small number of interns annually.
In concert with Red Cloud’s President and Executive Vice President, the Director serves as the Center’s chief spokesperson and advocate, building partnerships and collaborations that strengthen relationships with diverse communities and elevate the profile of the Center as well as awareness of the collection.
A deep appreciation of
Native American and Lakota art is required, as is the ability to think “big
picture” and apply basic business management skills to promote organizational
growth. A successful track record in
museum work, educational programming and fundraising is preferred.
Housing at the RCIS campus is available if needed.
Responsibilities and Duties
Vision, Strategic Planning and Programming (25%)
· Provides overall artistic vision and leadership for The Heritage Center, ensuring the design and delivery of high-quality, thoughtful programming that optimizes access to the collection and leverages partnerships in the community.
· Develops and directs initiatives to honor and sustain Lakota culture and arts as specified in the RCIS 2014-2018 Strategic Plan.
· Promotes and strengthens economic development opportunities for Native artists and vendors.
· Ensures the continued stewardship of The Heritage Center’s collection and enhances it through strategic acquisition and preservation efforts.
Infrastructure Development and General Management (25%)
· Strengthens the Center’s infrastructure and systems, including facilities, security, information technology, human resources, financial systems and collections management.
· Facilitates the development and management of a highly-skilled, cross-trained professional staff and inspires a spirit of collaboration and cohesion among staff at the Center and RCIS generally. Evaluates staff performance and recruits, hires and trains staff as necessary.
· Oversees all financial aspects of the Center and works with RCIS administration to formulate and monitor budgets, manage and forecast cash flow, ensure applicable sales tax is paid, and actively engage in ongoing financial analysis and planning.
· Ensures accurate record keeping of visitor traffic, volunteer hours and other business monitoring and planning metrics.
· Utilizes customer service skills and conflict resolution techniques to encourage cooperation and maintain positive working relationships among clients, vendors, staff and community members.
Fundraising (25%)
· Works in partnership with RCIS leadership and the Advancement Office to develop, implement and monitor a financial plan that identifies secured and projected funding sources for capital needs as well as general operations.
· Works in partnership with RCIS leadership and the Advancement Office to develop a strong case for philanthropic support for the Center and keeps Advancement staff apprised of new programmatic developments, challenges and opportunities.
· Works in partnership with RCIS leadership and the Advancement Office to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward foundation and individual donors.
· Develops and implements systems for effective grants management, including relevant outcome evaluation measures, qualitative and quantitative measures of success.
· Explores and develops earned income strategies for the Center, and maximizes revenue growth through the gift shop and online store.
Public Relations and Communications (20%)
· Serves as a primary spokesperson for the Center, articulates its vision and galvanizes internal and external stakeholders around that vision.
· Serves as a source and expert speaker/commentator for journalists and educators on topics related to Lakota art and the Center’s history and programs.
· Positions the Center as an exciting cultural institution locally, regionally and nationally through active participation in peer learning groups, conferences, arts networks and funding communities.
·
Ensures a
positive visitor experience that fosters understanding of and interest in
Native artists and art, especially Lakota artists and their communities.
Board Relations and Governance (5%)
· Attends Board meetings and serves as a liason to The Heritage Center Committee of the RCIS Board.
· Supports the Committee Chair in the development of an active, engaged and informed Committee.
· Helps the Committee Chair and President to identify and cultivate prospective Board and Committee members.
· Engages the Committee and the RCIS Board in essential strategic planning, policy development, goal-setting and oversight activities.
Qualifications
· Thorough knowledge of Native art and culture, with a demonstrated understanding of and respect for the diverse communities served and represented by the Center.
· General knowledge of best practices in business accountability and nonprofit management, including finance, human resources, and information technology.
· Working knowledge of the processes and procedures used in the operations of museums or other cultural settings, including curatorial practices and marketing.
· Ability and/or strong willingness to actively raise philanthropic support for the Center.
· Demonstrated organizational and communications skills.
· Experience leading people and teams in delivering desired qualitative and quantitative results.
· Ability and willingness to travel up to 15% of the time, or as frequently as is required to fulfill the responsibilities and duties listed above.
· Skilled in the application of technology to drive efficiency, revenue and reach, especially point-of-sale software.
· Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Education and Experience
· A Bachelor’s degree in art, arts or business administration, Native American studies or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
· Minimum of 5 years of experience in management, with demonstrated success in resource generation and audience engagement.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
This position is based at The
Heritage Center on the RCIS campus on the Pine Ridge reservation in
southwestern South Dakota. The Director
will be required to work occasional nights and weekends, and be on-call as lead
officer of The Heritage Center.
Physical requirements include the following:
· Ability to remain seated in a normal position for long periods of time.
· Ability to stand for long periods of time.
· Ability to move about.
· Ability to climb stairs and/or ladders.
· Ability to maintain balance while walking, standing, or crouching.
· Ability to stoop, kneel, and crouch.
· Ability to reach up and out with hands and arms.
· Ability to talk and hear; verbally express information or instructions.
· Ability to use hands to grasp objects, type, pick up objects, move objects, or hold objects.
· Ability to lift up to 35 pounds and carry a distance of 10 feet.
· Ability to push and/or pull up to 35 pounds a distance of 10 feet.
How to Apply
Send electronic copies of a cover letter, resume and at least 3 professional references to [log in to unmask] no later than Monday, June 16, 2014.