Executive Director

• Location: Summer Lake, Oregon (Lake County)

• Employment type: Full-time, exempt

• Reports to: Board of Directors

• Deadline to apply: October 4, 2024

• Interviews & on-site visits: October 18 – November 10, 2024

• Decision date: November 15, 2024

• Start date: February 3, 2025

THE ORGANIZATION

PLAYA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Lake County, Oregon. PLAYA resides on the ancestral homeland of the Yahooskin, Paiute, Modoc and Klamath tribes. Since time immemorial, people have gathered on this land for various reasons. PLAYA is dedicated to stewarding the land and inviting people to gather here that are actively working to learn from and share our natural environment. PLAYA initiated its art and science residency program in 2010.

PLAYA provides Awarded Residencies and Self-Directed Residencies for artists and scientists. We facilitate place-based workshops and campus rentals that align with and support the residency program. PLAYA produces annual free community events, PLAYA Presents Open Studio tours, art/science experiences for Lake County schools, and annual themed, curated cohorts and gallery exhibits.

MISSION

On the edge of the Great Basin, PLAYA offers artists and scientists the space, the place, and the community to reflect, engage in their work, and promote positive collaborative environmental change.

VALUES

• Respect: PLAYA cultivates a culture of respect and inclusion for the Great Basin, its inhabitants, and the natural world we share.
• Place: PLAYA allows time for the dynamic qualities of place to permeate and inspire.
• Interval: PLAYA provides an interval of time and space encouraging reflection and inquiry.
• Exchange: PLAYA enables diverse individuals to learn and be inspired from one another and to seek opportunities for collaboration.
• Intent: PLAYA operates in a mindful, resource-conscious manner.
  

POSITION SUMMARY

PLAYA is seeking an Executive Director who will live in Lake County, is passionate about our mission and values, and able to lead our organization with excellence. The Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization’s operations including fundraising, programs, marketing and communications, financial management, staff supervision, and facilities and land stewardship.

The Executive Director will be a motivational leader with excellent communication skills who will represent our organization to a variety of audiences and inspire them to engage with our mission. They are responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with prospective Board Members, donors, affiliates, and Lake County community leaders. They work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure that the organization is fulfilling its mission and serving its constituents effectively.

The Executive Director will be a strategic thinker able to balance short-term needs with long-term planning. They will be a can-do leader taking on all functions of PLAYA in order to achieve the mission, such as covering for staff sick days/vacation and the on-call emergency phone, hosting guests/visitors, and caretaking the site.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to ensure the organization is fulfilling its mission, implementing its policies, procedures, and strategic plan.
• Provide regular updates to the Board of Directors.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to recruit new Board Members.
• Oversee the organization’s financial management for long-term sustainability.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices in nonprofit financial management.
• Collaborate with the Treasurer, develop and administer a two-year budget.
• Monitor financial performance: track revenue and expenses, ensure that PLAYA is operating within its budget.
• Ensure financial reports are accurate and provided to the Board of Directors in a timely manner.
• Work with the bookkeeper and accountant to complete monthly and annual financial reporting.
• Ensure financial protections exist for property, staff, residents, and Board.
• Ensure risks and health and safety issues are effectively managed.
• Conduct comprehensive fundraising and development: conduct annual giving campaigns, send gift recognition/acknowledgments, secure major gifts and individual donations, and conduct all grant-writing and reporting.
• Guide and assist the Board of Directors to complete fundraising for The Open Space capital construction project. Administer fiscal responsibilities once funds are available.
• Model PLAYA’s values, lead staff, provide guidance, motivation, and support. Responsible for hiring and firing.
• Foster a positive work environment: promote teamwork, collaboration, conduct regular evaluations.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager to implement, assess, innovate and improve all strategic program planning and processes to generate sufficient resources to sustain programs; including marketing and communications strategies and maintaining the organization’s brand and messaging.
• Cultivate relationships with local and state elected officials and agencies.
• Act as the spokesperson of PLAYA at public events and speaking engagements.
• Maintain relationships with media outlets.
• Work with the Board of Directors and staff to assess, update and implement the strategic plan.
• Ensure housekeeping and culinary/commercial kitchen standards are met and maintained.
• Ensure the property and facilities are maintained in collaboration with the Site+Facilities Manager and that the budget reflects these costs.
• Address site and facilities damage and safety issues in a timely fashion.
• Add to the existing Capital Repairs fund to maintain the property in perpetuity.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must haves:

• A strong leader with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and show successful experience in a recent executive-level position.
• University bachelor’s degree.
• 3-5 years recent experience in a management role.
• If not currently a resident of Lake County, the ability to move here by time employment commences (Monday, February 3, 2025).
• A self-starter working in a fast-paced environment where decision making is often spontaneous.
• Ability to respond to changing circumstances, environmental challenges, and limited resources.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct financial management and prepare and administer budgets.
• Skills and traits to conduct, and demonstrated success in, any type of fundraising campaign.
• Demonstrated capability of successful grant writing and reporting.
• Knowledge of QuickBooks, Excel, and basic accounting.
• Experience working with a bookkeeper and accountant.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with rural, local communities.
• Interest/experience in the arts and natural sciences.
• Passion for engaging in nature, and a capacity to live and thrive in rural remote Southeastern Oregon where resources are limited.

Nice to haves:

• Understanding of 501(c)(3) public-charity legal and regulatory requirements.
• Understanding of hospitality and lodging and how it relates to a remote art/science residency program.
• Demonstrated experience managing programs and facilities.
• Understanding and experience with social media, websites, on-line purchasing, online banking, technical program and database aspects such as: Mailchimp, GUSTO, Stripe, LittleGreenLight, GoogleDocs, Slideroom
• Understanding of or experience in writing, monitoring, and enforcing contracts for services and goods.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• This is a full-time, exempt position with a competitive annual salary range of $68,000-$75,000, commensurate with experience.
• $400/month health care stipend
• 10 days of PTO for the initial year, with flex time for additional time off. There is an option for more unpaid time off during annual campus closure (4-6 weeks) in December/January.

FACILITIES

The 65-acre remote, rural campus includes 8 lodging cabins, 2 live-work studios, 6 additional studio spaces, a central Commons, Maintenance Shop, The Open Space gallery/multi-use project under construction, pump houses, a public garden, large pond, private water and septic system, and maintains a trail system.

On the edge of the Great Basin in the Oregon Outback, PLAYA is surrounded by the richness of both the Fremont-Winema National Forest and BLM public lands. Nearest grocery store, hospital, pharmacy and hardware store are located 70 miles south of PLAYA in the county seat, Lakeview. The small town of Paisley (pop. 200) is 17 miles south and offers a K-12 Public Charter School with bus service to Summer Lake, gas station, post office, mercantile and restaurants/saloon. The hamlet of Summer Lake (pop. 25) is 12 miles north and offers a gas station, provisioning store, post office, restaurant and wildlife refuge.

TO APPLY

PLAYA is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work. Decisions will be made without regard to race, gender identity, religion, age, ability, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the United States. Everyone is encouraged to apply.

• Please email your resume, cover letter, and the names of three references (include contact and relationship information) to: hiring@playasummerlake.org
• Subject line: Executive Director Application / your name
• Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024 to be considered.
• We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.