Since 1978, Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center has brought together the best of arts education, youth development, and community engagement that provides high-quality arts instruction for 700+ students and families each year. Our professional teaching artists lead 200 group and private classes each week in dance, music, theater, visual arts, folk culture research/presentations, and martial arts. We believe that the practice and mastery of an artistic skill can help children succeed in school and in life – and that a nurturing, challenging and exciting learning environment can transform lives through a realization of the power, beauty, history and limitless capacity they possess.

Our mission is to inspire the growth of youth, families and the community through quality arts and education programs. Mind-Builders remains a cultural anchor in the Northeast Bronx, operating out of our own bright and newly renovated facility. On the wall upon entry is a quote by Archbishop Desmond Tutu that greets all who enter, and sums up our ethos: “One day we will wake up and discover we are family.”

The Northeast Bronx is home to a predominantly African American, Caribbean, and African community, with a growing population from Hispanic and Middle-Eastern cultures as well. Integral to the Mind-Builders mission is serving as a resource to our vibrant community and partnering to address the systemic and critical quality of life issues that remain prevalent. Mind- Builders offers free, subsidized and low-cost tuition classes, with no child ever being turned away for a lack of ability to pay.

Mind-Builders is seeking a new Executive Director (ED) who is a motivational, visionary, and collaborative leader with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are looking for someone who has a commitment to supporting young people manifest their potential, talent and leadership. This person will possess a deep appreciation and knowledge of the culture and art forms inspired by the community, and by the rich history of the African diaspora.

The next ED at Mind-Builders will take over from the founding Executive Director, meaning they must lead the organization forward with enthusiasm, vision, and a commitment to its founding values. Responsible for managing the organization’s approximately $2.3 million operating budget, the new ED will ensure that Mind-Builders realizes its capacity and responsibility to the students, families, and audiences it serves while attracting the resources necessary to fulfill its mission and goals.

This is a full-time position that is mainly onsite with some remote time possible, reporting directly to the Board of Directors, and will require some schedule flexibility in order to monitor Center activities and be available to meet families and students on occasional evenings and Saturdays. We express and are committed to diversity and equity at all levels of the organization. Because of the communities we serve, we especially encourage people from African Diasporic cultures to apply for this position. Mind-Builders is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, veteran status or otherwise.

Stewardship

• Uphold Mind-Builders mission and vision, ensuring all programs and activities are aligned with its values and artistic direction.
• Oversee general business operations, finances, and programs, working with Mind-Builders’ finance team to responsibly allocate resources and ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled. Develop and manage the organizational budget in tandem with the Board of Directors’ advice and approval.
• Collaborate with the board to lead and implement new initiatives and/or strategic plans that ensure consistent organizational progress and effective goal management.
• Oversee a staff of 27 (full and part time) with 8 direct reports (2 F/T Assistant Executive Directors, 2 F/T Program Directors, 4 P/T Program Directors).

Fundraising & Community Engagement

• Identify, secure and maintain funding sources for the mission of Mind-Builders, as well as current and new program initiatives.
• Steward existing relationships with all Mind-Builders constituents and collaborators by maintaining an ongoing presence and active involvement in the Bronx community and beyond.
• Promoting the interests of Mind-Builders with media agencies, government officials and other organizations, serving as the primary spokesperson and contact with external stakeholders.
• Cultivate new relationships with members of the community and consistently welcome new groups and individuals to the Mind-Builders network to help advance the organization’s mission, vision and goals.

Skills & Competencies:

• Significant training, knowledge of, or background in the arts and in arts education.
• Knowledge of Bronx communities and issues.
• Experience in progressive student-centered education and/or youth development.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively run large community-based programs or enterprises.
• Knowledge of the NYC nonprofit, funding, and arts education communities in NYC.
• Experience building and maintaining healthy and collaborative relationships with a wide variety of audiences, i.e. parents, youth, staff, board of directors, funders and government officials.
• Thorough understanding of the history and politics of oppression and its wide ranging effect on every aspect of the lives of people of color.
• Experience leading successful fundraising campaigns, soliciting and acquiring major gifts.
• Strong management, conflict mediation and coaching skills, including the ability to give effective and direct feedback.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• At least 5 years of leadership, youth development, and supervisory experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Strongly Preferred

• Master’s Degree in education, arts education, nonprofit management, or related field.
• 7-10 years of leadership experience at a community-based organization of a similar size and budget.
• 3-5 years experience in the oversight of arts, education or community program policy and direction.
• Knowledge and appreciation of African diasporic arts and culture.

Salary & Benefits:

Mind-Builders will offer a competitive salary ranging from $110,000 to $150,000 per year, commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical health insurance covered 90% by Mind-Builders, paid vacation, paid holidays, paid personal days after two months, and 401K contributions.

Location:

This is a full-time position located in the Northeast Bronx, NY

Applicants should reply with a resume and cover letter that reference their experience in relation to the qualifications listed in the job description. No phone inquiries will be accepted. All inquiries and resumes should be submitted via email to kfrances@mind-builders.org by Thursday, March 31st.