Young Audiences of San Diego
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — JOB DESCRIPTION

Mission Statement — Through the creative arts, we INSPIRE, motivate and challenge children
to achieve their full potential; we PROVIDE professional development for teachers and artists;
and we LEAD the community as advocates for more arts in education.

ABOUT YOUNG AUDIENCES OF SAN DIEGO—
Founded in 1963, Young Audiences of San Diego (YASD) is the oldest and largest non-profit
charitable organization solely dedicated to enriching the lives of San Diego County youth by
providing meaningful arts in education experiences. In 2008-09, YASD presented 3,800
programs to over 44,000 students in 150 schools.

YASD’s comprehensive standards-based programs include a variety of services: teacher
professional development seminars, in-school and after-school artist residencies, workshops,
master classes, educational assemblies, family arts nights, and off-campus learning through
field trips. These programs teach valuable life skills, build self-esteem, enliven classrooms, and
break down divisive cultural barriers.

YASD is part of the national Young Audiences network, which includes nearly 5,000
professional visual and performing artists. For forty-six years, it has been our goal to provide
the highest quality programs at the lowest possible cost so that all children—regardless of their
resources—can discover the intrinsic beauty, value, and power of art. YASD’s four person
office staff and volunteers operate under the governance of a Board of Trustees. YASD is taxexempt
under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES —
As chief executive officer, the Executive Director reports to the Trustees and leads the staff.
The Director’s position is charged with developing organizational strategies to achieve the
affiliate’s long-term vision. The Executive Director implements policies approved by the
Trustees, manages affiliate programs and operations, and represents YASD in the community.
Among the Director’s areas of responsibilities are:

PLANNING AND PROGRAM OVERSIGHT—
• Implement, update, and report to the Trustees on the strategic plan, programs, fund
development, and operational goals.
• Maintain open dialogue with both the arts and education communities to determine
needs and trends in arts education.
• Lead the staff in development, implementation, and evaluation of YASD programs and
services to assure that artistic and educational program content are aligned with YASD
and YA National goals and objectives.
• Oversee YASD program services including: contract negotiations, grant reporting, and
artist/educator evaluations

ADMINISTRATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES—
• Develop a staffing structure that supports efficient delivery of programs and services and
realizes major goals.
• Manage all employees including hiring, termination, training, performance evaluation,
and compensation and benefits in accordance with YASD Personnel Policy.
• Develop and implement a plan to increase staff salaries to more competitive levels.
• Establish efficient personnel policies regarding local, state, and federal legal
requirements for non-profit organizations.
• Oversee YASD office lease and daily office operations.
• Assure proper administrative support for all YASD events and operations.
• Apprise the Board of Trustees of all relevant organizational concerns and challenges.
• Participate in National YA and affiliate activities.

FUNDRAISING AND DEVELOPMENT—
• Build new relationships with local, regional, and national philanthropic communities.
• Conceptualize, design and implement fundraising strategies, events, and campaigns
(with Trustees and staff support) to assure financial stability.
• Implement fundraising plans targeting individual, corporate, foundation, and government
resources.
• Supervise staff to assure timely processing and accurate reporting of fundraising efforts.
• Advocate for development: involve Trustees in fundraising, personally cultivate donors.

FINANCIAL—
• Direct budgeting, analysis, forecasting, and grant/fund monitoring in collaboration with
the staff, Personnel Committee, and Board of Trustees.
• Oversee and ensure the integrity and solvency of financial operations of YASD.
• Develop a realistic annual budget, and make financial decisions consistent with the
adopted budget. Plan for adequate cash flow.
• Provide regular and timely financial statements to Trustees, which compare the present
budget with the previous year and other relevant benchmarks.
• Administer a multiyear financial analysis, review trends, and engage Trustees in
discussions about financial stability—including establishing an operating reserve.
• Monitor (with Trustees) any YASD Endowment or Special Funds.

PUBLIC RELATIONS—
• Promote support for YASD. Communicate with appropriate government and arts
education personnel. Participate in key arts-related associations and organization.
Serve on committees and advisory groups, and speak in public meetings and at
community events.
• Work to develop a clear and consistent message to tell the organization’s story to the
greater San Diego region.
• Develop and execute annual marketing and media relations plan (with staff and Trustee
assistance).

BOARD OF TRUSTEES—
• Meet regularly with Trustee President, full Board of Trustees and all standing and ad-hoc
committees to achieve YASD goals.
• Meet annually one-on-one with each Trustee.
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• Organize all materials for Trustee meetings.
• Assist with Trustee recruitment and orientation.
• Facilitate engagement and utilization of individual Trustee member skills.

QUALIFICATIONS—
• An exceptional communicator who creates and nurtures a collegial working environment
among Trustees, staff and artists. A problem solver par excellence.
• Ability to maximize resources and to work with a small and efficient office.
• Awareness of and belief in the value of arts in the education and development
of young people.
• Experience in arts education programming and fundraising.
• Skill in working with a Board of Trustees, managing staff, performing artists, and
overseeing an organization’s operational and financial prosperity.
• Experience working with school-age populations in both the public and private sector.
• Awareness of San Diego County’s diverse multi-cultural arts community.
• Demonstrated grant-writing skills. Computer literacy, and working knowledge
of current technology.
• BA degree required. Minimum 3 years senior staff experience with non-profit or in the
private sector preferred.

SALARY AND BENEFITS—
• Full-Time position
• Salary commensurate with candidate’s qualifications and experiences.
• Three weeks paid vacation, six paid holidays, five sick days annually.
• Health Benefits.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION PROCEDURE—
Application open filing — January 1 through February 1, 2010.
Please send cover letter, resume (or curriculum vitae), and list of 3 references
by February 1, 2010 to:
Young Audiences of San Diego
Executive Director Search Committee
4007 Camino del Rio S, Suite 212
San Diego, CA 92108
Or email to drmusic4 a t cox.net

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
Young Audiences is an equal opportunity employer and seeks workforce diversity with respect to race,
ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, and physical ability. For more information on YASD please visit
our website at www.yasandiego.org.