Deputy Director & Chief Advancement Officer

Corita Art Center

Department: Admin

Reports to: Executive Director

Direct Reports: Senior Curator, Public Programs Curator, Development Coordinator

Status: Full-time, salaried exempt

Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday, and occasional evenings

Pay scale: $85,000 – $105,000

Location: Downtown Los Angeles, CA (in-person 3-4 days/week; remote 1-2 days/week)

ABOUT CORITA KENT:

Corita Kent (1918–1986) was an artist, educator, and social justice advocate who left an indelible mark on the art world, her students, the communities she served, the people she engaged, and the culture at large.

ABOUT CORITA ART CENTER (CAC):

Corita Art Center (CAC) preserves and promotes Corita Kent’s art, teaching, and passion for social justice. Housing the most comprehensive collection of Corita’s screenprints, watercolors, graphic commissions, and archival materials, CAC supports exhibitions, public programs, social enterprises, and licensing initiatives.

CAC is committed to preserving and archiving Corita’s work, making it accessible to scholars and the public, and serving communities through arts education, all rooted in Corita’s own vision and ethos. We are one of the few artist-endowed estates associated with a woman artist, and it is an honor to steward the oeuvre of an artist who combined such artistic achievement with enduring social impact.

Our purpose spans engagement, accessibility, sustainability, and education. Our values are centered and expressed in the understanding that we are creators. Our vision is that the love, hope, and justice of Corita’s work can serve and inspire every human on earth—it’s the transcendent nature of art, and especially of the grace with which Corita created. She gave us the foundation—her work and the tools by which to act and be inspired, and we are using them to champion the artists and educators of today, to meet the cultural moment we are in, and to move the world toward a more kind, just, and equitable future.

Our dedicated staff is the heart and soul of CAC. We are deeply invested in Corita’s work and philosophies and are driven to bring them to a greater and growing audience. Our community starts here.

As a small but dynamic nonprofit, CAC is entering an exciting growth phase with the reopening of its new location in the Los Angeles Arts District in March 2025.

Responsibilities

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Deputy Director & Chief Advancement Officer is a critical leadership role at Corita Art Center, working in close partnership with the Executive Director and the Board to lead fundraising, manage daily operations, and ensure financial sustainability. This is a hands-on position, requiring both strategic vision and an ability to execute plans within a highly collaborative, passionate team. The Deputy Director & Chief Advancement Officer will play a key leadership role in fundraising efforts and revenue streams for an aspirational $1M+ annual budget, while also supporting the organization’s operations, administration, and internal workflows. This role is ideal for a proactive, entrepreneurial leader who thrives in a small, resourceful team, and who is willing to pivot between high-level strategy and daily execution.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES (ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS):

Fundraising, Finance, & Institutional Growth (60%) –

Play a leading role in creating and executing fundraising campaigns and institutional partnerships, meeting and exceeding fundraising goals of $800,000 per year.
Partner with the Executive Director and Board on budget management, fundraising, and grant strategy.
Lead membership and donor engagement initiatives, ensuring long-term financial stability.
Organize and participate in focused fundraising and social events, with an emphasis on Board Member, Advisory Council member, and Advisory Committee member engagement and education.
Assist in tracking restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring accurate financial reporting.
Work closely with the Executive Director to build relationships with funders, corporate partners, and donors, enhancing Corita’s visibility and CAC’s financial sustainability
Represent CAC in negotiations and business relationships.
Support public engagement efforts, including events, exhibitions, and educational programs.

People & Organizational Management (30%) –

Serve as the primary point of accountability for staff reporting, providing structured oversight and ensuring clear communication between team members and leadership.
Oversee basic staff scheduling, organizational calendaring, and workflow coordination, ensuring efficient operations across CAC’s programs and initiatives.
Manage internal systems and data tracking, optimizing processes for staff coordination, reporting, and project timelines.
Implement and maintain project management tools to track priorities, deadlines, and cross-functional collaboration.
Refine operational protocols, ensuring consistency and clarity in staff responsibilities and organizational processes.
Support goal-setting, performance tracking, and workflow efficiencies, fostering a structured and well-organized work environment.

Operations & Administration (10%) –

Support the Executive Director in managing the day-to-day operations of CAC, ensuring efficiency and alignment with strategic goals.
Develop and refine internal policies, workflows, and administrative systems to support a growing organization.
Oversee vendor contracts, facilities management, and compliance needs.
Lead financial tracking and reporting, working closely with the Executive Director and accounting support.
Support long-term strategic planning, ensuring sustainable operations.
With the Executive Director, maintain an in-person presence in the office, ensuring that a senior staff member is present at all times when CAC is open to the public.

Requirements

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

7+ years of experience in nonprofit management, museum advancement / development, or executive leadership in a commercial art gallery (e.g. sales director) or design studio.
Demonstrated success in leading fundraising, finance, and operations strategies.
At least 2 years of experience raising $500,000 to $1M annually.
Experience managing small, mission-driven teams, with a hands-on leadership approach.
Strong financial acumen, including budget oversight, grant reporting, and strategic planning.
Basic understanding of professional museum standards and practices for contemporary art exhibitions, publications, and programming.
Working knowledge of legal and ethical standards of arts collection and nonprofit management.
Knowledge of licensing, merchandising, and social enterprise development is welcomed.
Entrepreneurial mindset, able to develop new revenue streams and partnerships.
Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Commitment to Corita Kent’s artistic and activist legacy, as well as organizational principles.
Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred; Master’s degree in arts administration, nonprofit management, business, or a related field preferred.

Corita Art Center is an equal opportunity employer. We will extend equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local laws.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

IDEAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Proficiency in the use of MS Office software including: Outlook, Word, Excel
Strong proficiency in QuickBooks accounting software alongside a keen understanding of financial principles and analysis capabilities
Familiarity with current trends, issues, and best practices in the field of the visual arts
Understanding of a broad spectrum of cultural programming, including public programs that reach beyond physical spaces
Knowledge of digital communication platforms (social media, email marketing, etc.)
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Strong organizational skills and analytical skills
Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment
Ability to multi-task and think critically

How to Apply

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands: In the work environment described herein, the position requires good eye/hand coordination and working at a desk, and utilizing a computer for prolonged periods of time. The position also requires verbal and written conversation with others, standing, climbing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting/moving objects up to 25 pounds. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.
Work Environment: The majority of work will be performed at the CAC offices in downtown Los Angeles. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Work requires occasional independent travel to and from off-site meetings and events. Occasional weekend, evening, and night work hours are also required. CAC wants to ensure the health and safety of all workers in the workplace and therefore follows local orders, state regulations, and guidance from government agencies like the CDC, OSHA, EEOC, and local health authorities.
Travel: Some travel may be required for this position, and is anticipated to comprise 10-20% of this role.
Employees are required to complete a criminal background check and provide at least three work references.

WHY IT’S GREAT TO WORK HERE:

CAC is a small and mighty mission-focused nonprofit that is unequivocally people-centric. We offer our team members community, camaraderie, and care. Benefits for all full-time employees include:

Paid vacation (starting at 10 days annually)
Paid holidays (up to 11 annually, with offices closed)
Paid winter closure (8-10 days, with offices closed)
Paid floating holiday (1 annually)
Paid sick & wellness leave (up to 9 days annually)
Paid bereavement leave (up to 3 days annually)
Paid jury duty leave (up to 3 days annually)
Flexible hours for voting time
Eligibility to contribute to a 401(k) retirement plan
Pre-tax commuter benefits
Pre-tax FSA / DC-FSA
Annual cost-of-living wage increases (subject to board approval)

HOW TO APPLY:

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and will be accepted through April 4, 2025.

Interested candidates should submit a résumé and cover letter. Submitted materials should detail relevant experience as a fundraising professional, and as an organizational leader in the arts and culture sector. In your cover letter, please also include a brief statement regarding your interest in Corita Kent’s legacy.

Please submit all materials to Lise Ragbir and Julia Hendrickson (Verge Agency) at community@weareverge.org. Please note that no telephone calls are accepted. All inquiries, including any accommodation requirements, should be sent to Verge.

Qualified candidates will be contacted for an initial screening conversation. Those candidates who advance through the interview process should expect 3-4 rounds of interviews, via phone, video, and/or in-person. References will be requested at the end of the interview process.

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