Current Opportunities

COO

Position Overview


The Opportunity
The COO (Chief Operating Officer) will lead the day-to-day operations of a complex organization and help to shape the Art Center’s strategic direction. This new role will be responsible for leadership and all operations including, Human Resources, Finance, Facilities, Development, Marketing and Communications, Visitor Experience, Information Technology, and Legal. The COO is also a forward- facing role with the Board of Trustees and other key internal and external stakeholders.
The COO will incorporate Storm King’s commitment to policies and practices that value diversity, foster equity, and create an inclusive and accessible institution. Every aspect of Storm King's governance, operations, and programming, both internally and externally, is guided by the principles expressed in Storm King’s I:DEA Plan.


Key Relationships
Reports to: President
Direct Reports: Deputy Director, Strategic Planning & Projects (dotted line to President), Director of People and Culture (Human Resources), Director of Finance
Director of Facilities and Conservation (dotted line to Artistic Director and Chief Curator for Fabrication, Installation, and Conservation), Director of Development (dotted line to President), Associate Director, Communications & Marketing Associate Director, Visitor Operations & Private Events Visitor Services Manager, and Information Technology Associate

Other Relationships:  Board of Trustees,
Artistic Director and Chief Curator, Donors and Institutional Funders, Hudson Valley Community Partners, Local, State and Regional Partners and Officials

Position Overview


Key Initiatives
The COO will provide leadership on the following priorities:
• Support Storm King’s Capital Project which was developed to thoughtfully address the substantial growth the institution has experienced over the past decade. It includes a number of capital, landscape, and environmental measures with the overall goal to improve the visitor experience onsite while protecting the people, art, and landscape at Storm King. The projected groundbreaking for project construction is August 2022, with anticipated completion in 2024.
• Work in collaboration with the President, the Board of Directors, and the Director of Development to further advance The Capital Campaign. The campaign is a multi-year $44-million fundraising initiative to support Storm King’s capital project through a strategic cultivation of donors, including Trustees, individual gifts, foundation and government grants, and a public-facing appeal in 2022.

The COO will also:
• Evaluate team structure, priorities, and culture. Develop recommendations using structured and unstructured input from all levels of the organization
• Utilize strong leadership skills and best practices to cultivate a healthy, high performing management culture within the operations team.
• Integrate Storm King’s commitment to I:DEA into policies, practices, and decision-making, fostering an inclusive organizational culture.
• Unite multiple constituencies including Board of Trustees and staff; promote communication and transparency; and provide mentorship and professional development.

Executive Scope
Shape policies and procedures for sustained operational success, process improvement and performance standards throughout the organization. The COO will regularly report to the President and the Board of Trustees.

These include:
People and Culture (Human Resources)
• Provide support to HR for policies, practices, and programs to motivate, attract, and retain employees, and provide training and professional development opportunities to develop staff and enhance workplace culture.
• With leadership and HR, promote a culture of respect built upon collaboration, learning, accountability, and initiative.

Finance
• Work with the Director of Finance to ensure that financial systems adhere to best practices for operational integrity and financial security; annual budget and financial performance; financial forecasting; audit process; financial modeling; and accountability for Storm King’s short- and long- term needs.
• Identify areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy changes that promote effective cost control while maintaining the highest level of operational performance.

Facilities
• In support of ongoing goals that continually evolve to most effectively serve the needs of the art and the site, work with the Director of Facilities and Conservation to manage Storm King’s facilities and 500-acre site and nearby Storm King-owned land and buildings.
• Direct reactive and proactive upkeep of landscape planning, building maintenance and management, housekeeping, on-site construction projects, fleet management and maintenance, and site ecology.
• In collaboration with Curatorial, support the team with art conservation, fabrication, installation, de-installation, and art handling.

Development
• In collaboration with the President, Director of Development, and the Board of Directors, shape strategy and advance fundraising for the organization including the capital campaign, annual fund, special events, artistic commissions, and other art projects.
• Work collaboratively with all departments to ensure that the highest quality fundraising programs are conceived, reviewed, revised, and executed in coordination with other programs and communicated effectively internally and externally.

Communications & Marketing
• Along with the President, Associate Director of Communications & Marketing, and the Board of Directors, promote and maintain Storm King’s stature as an arts organization, both nationally and internationally.
• Support the development and execution of a clear and proactive brand strategy that will strengthen and broaden relationships with key external audiences including visitors, digital and social media, press, and the surrounding community.


Visitor Experience
• Develop and direct earned revenue opportunities through admissions, both group and private events and visitor amenities, including the Museum Store, bike rentals and food services.
• Work closely with the Visitor Services Management Team on daily operations including providing a superlative visitor experience, ensuring the safety and security of visitors, staff, sculpture, and the site, and supporting public programs and events.


Information Technology
• Supervise IT in conjunction with staff and/or consultant including: upgrades, maintenance, troubleshooting, system security, user experience, and email and phone systems with a focus on integration of financial, development and collections management systems.
• Optimize technology across the Art Center to increase organizational efficiency, improve information accessibility and ensure data security.
• Guide the organization through new technology implementations and integrated systems and ensure that technology is used optimally throughout the organization through effective decision- making about integrated solutions, training, and support.

Competencies
• Leadership Ability: Act as a respected and trusted member of a senior management team, lead with integrity and mutual respect, motivate, and inspire trust and confidence with a wide range of people representing various backgrounds and levels of experience.
• Strategic Ability: Develop, manage, and execute strategic plans and programs.
• Project Management: Demonstrate success in project management including planning and implementation; ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and strong attention to detail.
• Decision Making: Ability to perform with a high level of discretion and integrity; exceptional analytical skills, creative problem solving, and ability to make and implement decisions quickly and soundly to include legal, operational, and administrative concerns.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent relationship-building skills with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Communications: Active listener with strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.

Personal Attributes
• Integrity and character.
• High social and emotional intelligence; diplomatic and culturally competent.
• Innovative and creative problem solver.
• Continue to build and deepen relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to earn and build trust, engaging, authentic, approachable style.

Ideal Experience
• A minimum of 7 years of senior management/operations roles in a growing or changing museum or cultural environment.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Demonstrated passion for the visual arts and environment strongly preferred as well as a strong commitment to Storm King’s mission and values.
• Strong knowledge of non-profit governance with experience interfacing with governing boards.
• Commitment to and evidence of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in significant ways.
• Demonstrated strategic, financial, and managerial acumen.

Search Process
Storm King Art Center is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Storm King Art Center is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit.
People who are of color, gender oppressed, LGBTQ, immigrants with work permission, and people of diverse social and economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Storm King Art Center does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other related consideration.


Storm King has retained Sally M. Sterling Executive Search to support the search for Chief Operating Officer. We welcome comments, nominations, or expressions of interest. All applicants are asked to include a letter of interest with their resume.
Please send an email with supporting materials to the confidential email address skac@sallysterlingexecutivesearch.com

Salary Range: 
$215,000 - $250,000

About This Job

  • Storm King Art Center
  • Orange County, NY
  • Category: Professional
  • Salary Range: $215,000 - $250,000
  • Posted: May 27, 2022