Executive and Co-Director

Southern Exposure seeks an accomplished leader to partner with our Artistic and Co-Director in spearheading the organization. Our next Executive and Co-Director is a strategic thinker and a dynamic and empathetic communicator with fundraising and financial acumen. We seek candidates who are committed to creating the most accessible space for visual artists to produce and present new work, learn, and connect. As a nonprofit, Southern Exposure is committed to anti-racism, and we are in search of a leader who demonstrates a high level of integrity and is dedicated to nurturing an equitable and collaborative workspace.

As Co-Directors, both leaders are responsible for providing vision and direction for the organization, managing resources for financial stability and growth, and advancing SoEx’s mission. Both leaders report directly to the Board of Directors. While the Executive Director and Artistic Director have distinct areas of responsibility, SoEx is committed to a highly collaborative management culture. We believe that most thinking, communication, and decision-making should be open between all Staff and Board members, fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment. Each Co-Director supervises one full-time and one part-time direct report Staff member. 

As the Executive and Co-Director, you will be the driving force behind all fundraising for Southern Exposure, actively soliciting sources of income for a yearly operating budget of $950,000. In addition, you will oversee all finance, operations, and marketing efforts.

The Artistic and Co-Director leads the planning and implementation of Southern Exposure’s artist-centered programming, including exhibitions, public projects, re-granting efforts, and youth education programs. 

ABOUT SOUTHERN EXPOSURE (SoEx)

A dynamic presence in the Bay Area since 1974, SoEx is continually evolving in response to the needs of artists and the community while engaging the public in artists’ work. Central to our mission is to remain the most accessible space for visual artists to learn, connect, produce, and present new work on and off site. SoEx provides visual artists the tools and resources to experiment in an open and supportive environment. Nationally known for extensive and innovative programming, SoEx is an extraordinary resource center and forum for Bay Area and national artists and youth in the public realm. The new Executive and Co-Director will have the opportunity to contribute to and lead this dynamic and innovative work.

The organization is well-positioned for the next generation of leadership and is ready to address long-term strategies for its future. SoEx has an established track record and reputation, both locally and nationally, for supporting artistic risk-taking and experimental work in a professional setting. As a leader in the field, SoEx has pioneered nationally emulated models such as our Alternative Exposure re-granting program and our Curatorial Council, acting as a valuable resource for our peers. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District, SoEx is a crucial part of the Bay Area’s ecosystem. We are deeply committed to LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, POC, and immigrant communities, and we value and prioritize diversity and equity in all aspects of our work. 

RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to:

FUNDRAISING

Fundraising Strategy and Leadership

• Create a comprehensive and diversified fundraising plan with individual, foundation, corporate, and earned income targets, including probability estimates. 
• Update the plan monthly and report fundraising progress to the Board each month. 
• Supervise and collaborate with a full-time Development and Events Coordinator.

Individual Giving

• Develop and implement the strategy for expanding donor pipeline and retention plans.
• Cultivate and deepen relationships with donors. 
• Ensure that donor interactions are tracked in the donor database. 

Foundation, Government, and Corporate Giving

• Identify and explore new funding opportunities on an ongoing basis.
• Manage grant writing and develop relationships with funders.
• Maintain grant application schedule to meet grant deadlines. 

Fundraising Events

• Manage board engagement in fundraising efforts, as well as our Auction Committee.
• Set fundraising targets for fundraising events, including the annual Art Auction and Monster Drawing Rally, and ensure that event planning supports fundraising goals to the greatest extent possible.  
• Manage event production timelines in collaboration with Staff.
• Evaluate event fundraising strategies and refine them as appropriate.

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

• Ensure the sound fiscal operations and sustainability of the organization.
• Provide prudent financial management and efficient use of Southern Exposure’s resources, monitoring budget goals.
• In concert with the Artistic and Co-Director, and with preliminary strategic input from the Board, develop an annual operating plan and balanced budget for review and approval by the Board of Directors.
• Manage external accounting and bookkeeping firms and auditors and lead monthly and annual financial reviews with the Finance Committee.
• Ensure that permits, licenses, and insurance are current.
• Ensure compliance with best practices and legal requirements for nonprofit governance.
• Serve as liaison with city agents and landlord. 

STAFF MANAGEMENT

• Collaborate with the Artistic and Co-Director to develop, mentor, and retain a highly qualified, diverse, and committed Staff, fostering opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, and meaningful engagement.
• Create and implement an annual performance review plan and lead Staff, ensuring individual Staff goals are met.
• Regularly meet with Staff to ensure all day-to-day operations are going smoothly, support team and individual goals, and continually foster an inclusive working culture.

COMMUNICATIONS/MARKETING

• Develop and manage SoEx’s communications plan and strategies, supervising and collaborating with a part-time Marketing and Communications Coordinator to promote awareness, appreciation, and support for Southern Exposure locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Lead the development of all institutional branding efforts, including the website, social media, and printed materials.
• Shared responsibilities with the Artistic and Co-Director include:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

• Collaborate with the Board on strategic planning and co-lead implementation and evaluation.
• Steward Southern Exposure’s equity framework and organizational commitment to social responsibility.
• Establish and evaluate the impact, efficacy, and sustainability of current priorities, processes, and strategies.
• Ensure overall sustainability and maintain a healthy organizational culture.
• Participate in the local and national arts communities; be a visible presence, and advocate for both Southern Exposure and the arts.

GENERAL OPERATIONS

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the organization.
• Foster and strengthen an inclusive work environment and welcoming community space.

ADVOCACY

• Advocate for Southern Exposure’s mission, act as a spokesperson to the public and media, and work to enhance SoEx’s reputation, role, and recognition in the broader community.
• Enhance and expand meaningful connections, partnerships, and strategic alliances to advance Southern Exposure’s vision, impact, and resources. 

BOARD

• Serve as a non-voting member of the Board, partnering with the Board to strategically guide the organization.
• Collaborate with the Executive Committee to create Board agendas and attend full Board and Board committee meetings.
• Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of new Board members.
• Keep the Board apprised promptly of changes in the organization’s financial, staff, and programming health. 
• Shepherd timely decision-making by the Board and committees.
• Foster effective and open communication between the Board, Staff, and other stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS 

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent training and work experience.
• Minimum five years of experience in nonprofit leadership roles, with a demonstrated record of financial stewardship and fundraising.
• Strategic and savvy manager passionate about and committed to the visual arts. 
• Strong fundraising chops and prudent financial management.
• Ability to inspire SoEx Staff and the community, demonstrating a commitment to equityStrong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to lead and collaborate in an open, dynamic, and continually shifting environment.
• Ability to support the mission of Southern Exposure and maintain its diversity of experiences, cultures, ages, and genders, as well as its commitment to equitable practices.

PREFERRED, BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Professional background in the arts.
• Knowledge of Google Workspace tools.
• Experience with CiviCRM or other database programs is a plus. 

APPLICATION INFORMATION

To Apply: Interested candidates should submit a single PDF attachment to search@soex.org that includes a cover letter, resume, a relevant writing sample (1–2 pages), and three professional references.
The subject line of your email should be “Executive and Co-Director, YOUR NAME.”

Deadline: Position is open until filled, with priority consideration given to applications received before August 26, 2024.

Schedule: 40+ hours/week (1 FTE), Monday–Friday, frequent evenings and weekends.

Status: Salaried, exempt.

Benefits: Full health and vacation benefits, shared vision and dental; optional FSA for health and transit.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Board of Directors. 

Location: Southern Exposure maintains a hybrid work structure; employees have the option to telecommute part-time.

Compensation: $85,000 starting salary. 

Physical Requirements:
Performing this job requires the frequent use of tools or controls, sitting, communicating, computer interaction, and standing. There is also an infrequent need for climbing ladders, balancing, stooping, or kneeling, and the ability to lift and manipulate up to 40 lbs. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works on site at the gallery, where the employee may be exposed to dust, fumes, or airborne particles from art supplies. We welcome applicants of any ability and have a reasonable accommodation process in place to address any concerns. Please feel free to note any accommodations requested (but no diagnosis) in your application.

Southern Exposure is an equal-opportunity employer. We value a strong, diverse team and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Women, trans- and gender-nonconforming folks, queer people, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Additionally, we encourage you to apply if your lived experience informs your desire to join us in our commitment to supporting diverse visual artists and creating cutting-edge artistic programming that prioritizes their participation, narratives, and communities.