Current Opportunities
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
JAPANESE AMERICAN CULTURAL & COMMUNITY CENTER
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
LOS ANGELES, CA
ABOUT THE JAPANESE AMERICAN CULTURAL & COMMUNITY CENTER (JACCC)
Mission: Serving as the hub for Japanese and Japanese American arts and culture, and a community gathering place for the diverse voices it inspires — JACCC connects traditional and contemporary; community participants and creative professionals; Southern California and the world beyond.
Founded in 1971, JACCC is one of the largest ethnic arts and cultural centers of its kind in the United States. Its facilities include the Center Building (which houses the George J. Doizaki Gallery, the Japanese Cultural Room and Teahouse, classrooms, and office space for non-profit organizations), the 880-seat Aratani Theatre, the Isamu Noguchi-designed Sculpture and Plaza, and the award-winning James Irvine Japanese Garden. JACCC occupies a unique place in the Los Angeles arts and cultural ecosystem as one of the largest arts and cultural organizations of color in the country while still serving local and regional artists and cultural organizations that use JACCC's campus for meetings, gatherings, and cultural events.
For more information on JACCC, please visit www.jaccc.org.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) is seeking an innovative, skillful organizational leader who is passionate about JACCC's mission and is excited to build on the its current momentum and lead it into the future as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. This is a unique opportunity to be at the helm of one of the largest arts and cultural organizations of color in the country, offering innovative, community-based arts and cultural programming inspired by Japanese tradition and energized by the future.
The President and CEO is responsible for the overall successful operation and performance of JACCC. This includes oversight of all programs and fund development efforts, as well as the fiscal health and structural soundness of the organization. Reporting to and working closely with the Board of Directors, the President and CEO oversees an annual budget of approximately $3.2 million and a total staff of 21 full-time employees, more than 40 part-time and contractual/seasonal staff, and 200 volunteers. The President and CEO also serves as the external representative of JACCC with constituent communities, stakeholders and local, national, and international officials.
This exciting stage in JACCC's trajectory offers a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial, high-energy, and fundraising-oriented leader to authentically engage with the Japanese and Japanese American community, amplify JACCC's exchanges with Japan, community-based programs, work with other communities of color in Los Angeles, and guide the organization's future vision and expansion.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Development and Fundraising
- Lead in the development of new funding opportunities while working closely with the staff and Board to sustain and grow existing funding.
- Identify, assess, and establish new relationships and partnerships with prospective donors and business partnerships to further development opportunities, mission, and vision.
Leadership and Vision
- Provide key leadership for developing and implementing programmatic opportunities, marketing new, innovative programs, and maximizing the Center's theater, plaza, garden, and building assets.
- Oversee the development and implementation of the Center's five-year strategic plan and ensure that overall organizational objectives are met.
Financial Management
- Manage the financial health of JACCC.
- Develop, monitor and manage annual operating budgets, including long-range budget plans.
- Ensure that the Board is regularly informed on the financial status of the organization through proper and timely reporting.
- Maintain compliance with legal regulations and parameters.
- Manage and implement adequate risk management.
Community Outreach and Public Relations
- Articulate the vision, mission, programs, and impact of JACCC with all constituencies as the public spokesperson for the organization.
- Cultivate a sense of community with the Japanese and Japanese American communities, Board and staff, donors, volunteers, and community partners.
- Identify opportunities to expand the scope and reach of JACCC.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with our neighbors in Little Tokyo, other community organizations, and national and international partners.
Staff Development
- Lead senior management team and staff members to strengthen and support the programmatic and operational goals of JACCC.
- Provide organizational leadership to ensure a positive, healthy work environment that attracts and retains top talent and builds teamwork.
CORE COMPETENCIES
The President and CEO will be an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and visionary leader who deeply believes in JACCC's mission and its multidimensional role among various communities. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional interpersonal skills and have the ability to interact effectively with staff, Board members, community members, civic leaders, and partnering organizations that are in the United States and Japan.
Although it is preferable that the ideal candidate come with a background in the arts and with experience and knowledge of Japanese culture — both contemporary and traditional — it is possible that candidates may come from another sector if they demonstrate a convincing personal connection to JACCC's mission.
The successful candidate will bring at least five to ten years in a senior management position within a professional organization. A Bachelor's degree is required for this position; a Master's degree is preferred. The ability and eagerness to travel outside the local area, including internationally, is required.
In addition, the successful candidate will have the following professional competencies and personal characteristics:
Strategic and Visionary Leadership: The President and CEO, working closely with the Board of Directors and staff, will create an inspiring vision for JACCC. This forward-thinking individual will have a history of innovation and creativity in an executive role. The President and CEO will excel as a cultural diplomat between the United States and Japan, uniting an international network of stakeholders with their dynamic leadership and compelling vision for JACCC's future.
Passion for the Mission: The President and CEO will have a passion for the mission of JACCC, a deep desire to engage with the Japanese American community, a commitment to JACCC's place-based work in Los Angeles, and a demonstrated dedication to Japanese cultural traditions. This person will be an arts leader among communities of color, with a profound understanding of the importance of Japanese and Japanese-American culture and how the arts can be a vehicle for social change.
Expertise in Fundraising: The President and CEO will bring to the role a measurable track record of success in development, including a strong background in institutional, individual, and corporate giving. With an impressive networking capacity, this charismatic fundraiser will have the ability to diversify JACCC's revenue stream and grow its donor base, both in the United States and in Japan. The President and CEO will be a confident and self-motivated thought partner who will work with the Board in identifying and devising development strategies for JACCC in order to strengthen its resource base.
Management and Operations Excellence: The President and CEO will be a strong and experienced organizational manager, with a thorough understanding of best-in-class nonprofit management practices, and will ensure fiduciary responsibility and sound financial management practices and accountability are maintained across the organization. This individual will excel at building the infrastructure and implementing the systems required to execute a strategic vision for JACCC.
An inspiring, transparent, and team-oriented manager, the President and CEO will establish clarity on roles, responsibilities, and targeted outcomes for staff. This individual will be outcome driven and will demonstrate the ability to build, nurture, motivate, and retain a strong team of diverse professionals focused on excellence, accountability, and efficiency. The President and CEO will be an empathic and inclusive leader, displaying the highest degree of integrity in the role.
Community Relations, Relationship Building, and Communication: A passionate advocate for JACCC, the President and CEO will have the gravitas needed to be the public face of the organization. This charismatic leader will be able to communicate effectively with a broad group of stakeholders – from members of the community to Japanese officials – and to tailor communications to suit each audience.
The President and CEO will be adept at building and sustaining excellent relationships with community leaders, funders, and policy makers, harnessing their networks in support of JACCC. The President and CEO will work to develop the Board and its giving capacity, bringing experience navigating board relationships to the role.
CONTACT
JACCC has engaged Koya Leadership Partners to assist in this hire. This search is being led by Michelle Bonoan and Naree W.S. Viner. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume here, or email Michelle and Naree at the following:
Michelle R.S. Bonoan
Managing Director
Naree W.S. Viner
Managing Director
JACCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard ace, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
ABOUT KOYA LEADERSHIP PARTNERS
Koya Leadership Partners is a national retained executive search and human capital-consulting firm that works exclusively with nonprofits and social enterprises. We deliver measurable results, finding exceptionally talented people who truly fit the unique culture of our client organizations and ensuring that organizations have the resources and strategies to support them. For more information about Koya Leadership Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.
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