The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami), is dedicated to promoting the work of contemporary artists, and to the exchange of art and ideas throughout the Miami region and internationally. Through an energetic calendar of exhibitions and programs, and its collections, ICA Miami provides an international platform for the work of established and emerging artists, and advances the public appreciation and understanding of the most innovative and experimental art of our time.

Established by the Board of Trustees and former staff from the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, ICA Miami is currently located in temporary space in the landmark Moore Building, which has been provided rent-free by Miami Design District Associates. The museum plans to release final designs for its new, permanent home, designed by Aranguren & Gallegos Arquitectos, later this year.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Developing a dynamic vision for a new museum;
• Spearheading a capital campaign and overseeing the construction of a new building;
• Working with the board and staff to create financial plans that will provide the earned and contributed revenues to support current and future operations;
• Developing and implementing a transformative strategic plan;
• Communicating and collaborating with other cultural institutions in the greater Miami area and throughout the world.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

As the chief executive officer of the ICA Miami, the Director works closely with the Board of Trustees, and with internal and external constituencies, to provide overall leadership and direction for the museum.  The Director will nurture and develop both the human and financial resources of the museum, advance its role and standing within the regional, national and international arts communities and implement the ICA’s mission through coordination of the museum’s departments and through special initiatives.

Specific responsibilities include:

Leadership and Vision

• Develop a compelling vision for the ICA and communicate it and the mission with passion to existing and new constituencies;

• Oversee the development of innovative and exciting exhibitions, public programs, publications and outreach activities;

• Develop a thoughtful, provocative and inspiring strategic plan and manage its implementation;

• Foster an agile organization that can adapt to change in a challenging environment;

• Mitigate and manage potential risk while seizing and capitalizing on opportunities;

• Maximize relationships with national and international organizations, peers, and individuals to increase opportunities for growth, program excellence and development and take part in a professional network for resource sharing, best practices and exhibition/educational opportunities;

• Establish collaborative relationships that allow staff to be engaged; board members to undertake their governance responsibilities, including philanthropic support; potential donors to become involved; and the greater Miami community to feel that the museum is a fundamental part of the cultural fabric of the region.

Financial Administration and Fund Development

• Develop long-range financial goals and assure they are met through both earned and contributed income;

• Establish and maintain strong professional and personal relationships with the funding community;

• With appropriate staff and trustees, develop and present annual operating and capital budgets; conduct financial analysis and forecasting throughout the fiscal year; and foster sound fiscal management policies, procedures and controls;

• Ensure effective development and submission of operating and special purpose grant proposals and work with the Board on the investment strategy for endowment funds;

• Ensure compliance with all ethical and regulatory standards of accounting and financial reporting.

 Marketing/Public Relations

• In partnership with the appropriate staff, develop and participate in the museum’s marketing and public relations efforts;

• Implement innovative marketing efforts to promote exhibitions and programs and to build audiences;

• Ensure the museum’s brand is managed with consistency of tone, voice and effectiveness;

• Build the museum’s visibility and infuse the brand with excitement in the community and beyond.

Organizational and Staff Management

• Oversee the development of the new facility;

• Ensure the organization is effectively structured and staffed with high quality, competent, motivated and team-oriented professionals;

• Foster innovation and create an environment for staff growth, learning and experimentation;

• Demonstrate a commitment to sound, fair and effective personnel practices and procedures related to staff recruiting, development and retention and maintain a culture of performance and accountability;

• Ensure open communication and demonstrate strong listening skills with all constituencies, and seek diverse points of view in the decision making process.

Governance

• Develop and maintain close working relationship with the Board of Trustees;

• Attend and participate in board and committee meetings;

• Work with the board leadership to inform and educate other trustees as to the museum’s mission and their responsibilities;

• Act as conduit between staff and board, communicating staff needs to the board, and communicating board priorities and policies to staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

The new Director must be able to inspire, excite and energize all constituencies through an innovative exhibition and education program and through personal charisma. Success in this role requires proven business competencies as well as demonstrated leadership and management. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in leading and motivating people, cultivation and stewardship of donors, financial management and organizational dynamics.

Specifically, candidates’ qualities should include:

• A passion for contemporary art and for working with artists, coupled with a powerful belief in the role of  museums in the 21^stcentury;
• Outstanding organizational skills, with an emphasis on visioning, strategic planning, exhibition and program development, fundraising and articulating the compelling case for the institution;
• The knowledge to build the necessary infrastructure to grow annual, capital and endowment funds;
• Clear competence in developing and guiding an administrative and an artistic staff in a way that is consistent with a supportive, creative and collegial culture;
• A history either serving on or working with governing boards;
• A record reflecting well-honed communication skills and a talent for diplomacy, as well as for building collaborative working relationships;
• The ability to make difficult and well-reasoned decisions and the characteristics of fairness, accessibility, generosity and even temperedness, along with a strong sense of self;
• A graduate degree such as a PhD, MA, MFA and/or MBA and relevant professional training and a minimum of ten years at a senior management level.

COMPENSATION

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION

We appreciate your interest in the ICA Miami. Please submit a resume and one-page narrative electronically describing your interest in the position and the experience you have had which relates to the responsibilities described.  Applications will be reviewed in strict confidence by Management Consultants for the Arts, (www.mcaonline.us)  an executive search firm working with the ICA’s Board of Trustees.

Send applications to:

Linda Sweet, Partner

Management Consultants for the Arts, Inc.
Care of: Christy Wall at MCAWall2@gmail.com