Position Specification

Transcription

1 DECEMBER 2016 Nashville, Tennessee

2 DHR International POSITION SPECIFICATION POSITION TITLE: REPORTING TO: LOCATION: THE COMPANY: Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees through the Chair Nashville, TN Adventure Science Center Adventure Science Center (ASC) is an independent, nonprofit educational institution dedicating to igniting curiosity and inspiring the lifelong discovery of science. ASC features nearly 175 exhibits focused on enabling visitors to learn and experience science in a hands on way, in areas ranging from leaning about the human body, to the wonders of space, and observing mechanical dinosaurs, to learning coding and using 3-D printers. ASC s award winning programs include daily science demonstrations, Discovery Cart activities, workshops, lectures, camps, Science Cafes, and other special events. The Sudekum Planetarium, features state-of-the-art starball and digital projection with surround-sound. It presents programs on a broad range of sciences, history, culture and laser shows. History Established in 1944, first as the Children s Museum of Nashville, it was located in downtown Nashville. World War II was coming to an end and the nation was beginning to look to the future. Sgt. John Ripley Forbes was an American naturalist and conservationist who helped found hundreds of nature museums for children in over 200 communities and 30 states. His vision for Nashville s future was focused on children and his enthusiasm for a children s museum sparked some of the city s most prominent and influential citizens, including the museum s first president, Vernon Sharp, Jr. A lease on the old University of Nashville building was signed in November 1944, and on Oct. 31, 1945, the Children s Museum of Nashville opened its doors to the public. In 1952, the Center opened the first planetarium in Tennessee and named it after one of the founding Trustees, Anthony Sudekum, whose family had contributed the funds to purchase the first star projector. The Museum moved to Old Saint Cloud Hill, known during the civil war as Fort Negley, in The organization s name changed over the years, most recently from Cumberland Science Museum to Adventure Science Center in November With an annual operating budget of approximately $6 million, ASC now serves over 300,000 visitors annually from Middle Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, Northern Alabama, and beyond. Present and Future The next President and CEO enters an organization poised for a period of innovation, growth and increased relevance to the burgeoning Nashville community. The board, committed to renewal and growth, recently completed a fundraising feasibility plan that, when realized, will fuel the funding of new exhibits and programs for this 111,000 square foot facility. Building on the exciting growth in population, civic pride and commerce in Nashville, ASC will become a focal point for dialogue and informal science learning. ACS has a balanced budget, a talented stable staff of 35 full-time and 26 part-time, an engaged board and demonstrated significant community support. The next President and CEO will build on these assets and guide ASC to maximize its mission. With a shared goal of becoming an intergenerational destination for informal science, ASC is also committed to engage directly and more widely with the science and technology industries other regional businesses and educational institutions; and, to participate more directly with the greater science center community in the US and abroad. Page 1

3 The President and CEO will provide the vision and represent the leadership among all of the interested stakeholders that support ASC: board, staff, volunteers, members, visitors, the greater Nashville education and business community, the Metro Government and the broad array of donors who contribute to its ongoing success. Nashville Known as Music City, TIME magazine named Nashville as The South s Red-Hot Town, and has garnered high praise and rankings from the New York Times to CNN and Forbes. While the music business is a huge economic driver for the city, Nashville is also an energetic and influential center of emerging technology, healthcare, and higher education with a booming real estate market. Freddie Mac declared Middle Tennessee residential real estate market (which includes Nashville-Davidson County and nine surrounding counties) to be the healthiest in the country. Nashville was named #3 among the top 10 best value cities in America by Kiplinger. Nashville boasts an outstanding quality of life, great schools, famous Southern hospitality, and abundant leisure and cultural activities. To learn more about all that Nashville has to offer: SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The is responsible for all executive functions of ASC, reports to the Board, and is a key participant on the Board of Directors. He or she will be a transformational leader, ensuring the ASC delivers on its mission and vision and realizes its full institutional potential in a financially sustainable manner. Reporting Relationships: The reports to the Executive Committee of the 40-person Board through the Chair. He or she will directly oversee the following direct reports: Chief Development Officer, Marketing and Communications Director, Finance & HR Director, Operations & Exhibits Director, Director of Education & Community Engagement, and an Executive Assistant. Specific Responsibilities: Vision and Strategy Provide inspiring and forward-thinking leadership, vision, strategy and guidance to the institution s staff and volunteers. Work closely with the Board to formulate and communicate institutional goals and priorities. Lead the clarification and implementation of a strategic plan. Develop innovative methods, ideas and programs for increasing attendance and revenues and optimizing the visitor experience. External Relations and Fundraising Aggressively build ASC s financial resources, leading capital campaign efforts and working to identify potential sources of financial support in partnership with the Board of Directors and Chief Development Officer. Maintain and/or establish strategic partnerships and collaborations to further the mission, interest and sustainability of ASC. Page 2

4 Set priorities and determine necessary funding to meet short and long term needs and develop appropriate means of meeting resulting financial goals, including program budgeting, government and private foundation grants, annual fundraising, individual major donor, and corporate support. Represent ASC to the local, regional and national audiences in the STEM educational and institutional fields and as a leader in the greater Middle Tennessee community, clearly communicating the vision, strategy, activities and progress of the ASC; Develop and maintain ASC s reputation as a leader in STEM education and science programming. Serve as a key public spokesperson for the organization and develop a leadership position within the community. Effectively represent ASC to community, professional, governmental, civic, and private organizations. Continue to build ASC s visibility effectively through media channels, speaking engagements, and participation in associations and clubs. Management Direct day-to-day operations through appropriate staff and ensure that events, exhibits, program delivery, reputation and all other activities are performed at the highest levels of quality possible. Build institutional capacity at both the board and staff levels, recruiting and retaining top talent, maintaining and further developing a talented and highly motivated professional staff through open communication, inclusiveness and respect. Through inspired and empowered leadership, create a work culture that values teamwork, collaboration, good communication, accountability, innovation and outstanding customer service. Manage operating revenues and expenses to maximize contribution from operations. Ensure that capital assets (building, grounds, exhibitions and equipment) are protected. Oversee all management policies, procedures, and systems to ensure the highest level of efficiency, security and quality throughout the organization. Ensure that the value of the volunteer corps is maximized and that the volunteers receive the appropriate recognition and support. Develop appropriate communication channels between Board of Directors, management and staff. Program Development Ensure that exhibitions and educational programs are aligned with the overall mission of the organization and designed to reach multiple audiences including adults, families and school-aged children as well as new, targeted audiences as identified. Recognize the importance of science exhibitions and education programs as both good science and good entertainment. Concurrent with plans to retrofit and upgrade the facility, encourage and assist in the development of an ongoing exhibition program and the development of new exhibitions designed to engage, entertain and inform the visiting public. Develop and enhance the organization s position in the region as a go-to source for informal science. Cultivate an environment that will encourage the visiting public to return and re-visit. Page 3

5 Welcome related communities to the institution and engage in cooperative programs with the public schools, universities, businesses and other groups. Seek ways to engage other cultural institutions in the region on activities of mutual benefit. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA: Ten years of progressively responsible, nonprofit managerial experience (CEO or executive-level experience at an attendance-driven nonprofit strongly preferred). A respect for and belief in the importance of science and science education. A curious mind and entrepreneurial spirit as demonstrated by past achievements. Demonstrated ability to respond decisively, accurately, and courteously to challenges and opportunities. Proven track record in fundraising, particularly major gift fundraising, either as a nonprofit executive or volunteer. Proven track record in promoting positive public relations using a variety of methods and media for communicating with diverse audiences (e.g., electronic media, news articles, meetings, self-contained teaching packages). Demonstrated ability to establish and communicate meaningful goals and objectives and to nurture and motivate diverse teams to produce outstanding accomplishments. Demonstrated knowledge of effective management policies and procedures, including expertise in planning, budgeting, proposal writing, and human resources management. Ability to listen, to understand the needs of diverse audiences, and to apply these needs to ASC s mission. Demonstrated human relations skills including the ability to organize, develop, and motivate staff, board, volunteers, committee members, community leaders, and the general public. A Bachelor s degree is required. PERSONAL / PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES: The successful will have the emotional intelligence, maturity, sense of self and a secure ego; a continuous learner and someone who embraces innovation and a diversity of ideas and points of view. Given the timing and future plans for ASC, the next will have the platform and mandate to lead the institution to new levels of success. A community minded, collaborative, thoughtful and highly ethical individual with strong personal values, commitment to others and an impeccable past record of success, will succeed in this position. COMPENSATION: Competitive Page 4

6 CONTACT INFORMATION: James Abruzzo Managing Partner, Global Nonprofit Practice DHR International 280 Park Avenue, 43 rd Floor West New York, New York T: E: Kara Teising Partner, Nonprofit Practice DHR International 424 Church Street, Ste Nashville, TN T: E: Phil DeBoer Associate DHR International 71 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 2700 Chicago, IL T: E: The Adventure Science Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability or status as a U.S. veteran. Page 5