The Arts and Culture Director (the Director) will serve on the Executive Team as the cultural diplomat for the City of Mesa and provide leadership and arts education advocacy, direct department-wide fundraising and development, and provide strategic direction for the department, articulating the positive impacts of the arts and culture in and for the city. The Arts and Culture Director, who will report to Mesa’s City Manager’s Office, will function as an arts and culture advisor to the City Council, City Manager, and the public at large. The Director will maintain a visible presence in guiding the cultural, economic, and overall strategic thinking, partnerships, program and policy development, and oversight of the City’s public art, visual, and performing arts programs, and facilities.
The Arts and Culture Director will work closely with the Museum and Cultural Advisory Board (MCAB), Mesa Arts Center Foundation, AZMNH Foundation, and idea Museum Foundation. The Arts and Culture Director will be responsible for establishing short and long-range goals and objectives, overseeing the preparation and administration of department budgets, and monitoring related expenditures and revenues to provide effective, efficient, and economical fiscal management of department facilities and programs. The Director will also provide philosophical direction, mentorship, and evaluation of various department administrators to ensure organizational vibrancy and integrated cultural branding for the community.
Role and Responsibilities
Management and Operations
- Provide strategic and management oversight of the Arts and Culture Department, its programs, and its facilities to ensure that patrons and community members have a safe and high-quality experience—the Mesa way.
- Nurture partnerships with the City Council, City departments, and other local entities to align the goals of the individual cultural venues and the strategic priorities of the Mesa City Council.
- Support a welcoming, safe, accessible, and integrity-driven environment across all arts and culture institutions.
- Recruit, retain, and mentor staff, and provide thoughtful guidance to the senior leadership team centered on team cohesiveness, employee growth, and collaboration.
- Support and advise on facility maintenance and improvements, and assess and implement new organizational and programmatic strategies.
- Embrace additional management and operations responsibilities as needed.
Strategy, Finance, and Fundraising
- Ensure sound financial management and operational practices are in accordance with city policies and procedures.
- Assume a leading role in building art-based economic development in Mesa, oversee development activities, and maintain strong relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, and government funders to maximize contributed income.
- Embrace and support additional strategy, finance, and fundraising responsibilities as needed.
Communications and Community Engagement
- Serve as Mesa’s spokesperson for the City of Mesa arts and culture programs.
- Provide oversight to lead and guide departmental and interdepartmental collaborations and ensure active and meaningful community engagement.
- Listen, negotiate, and collaborate with diverse groups and representatives from public and private agencies.
- Represent the City of Mesa’s arts and cultural programs to the artistic, social, political, and business communities, demonstrating a commitment to integrating arts, entertainment, and educational programming into Mesa.
- Collaborate with boards and staff of arts partners to elevate the profile, image, and audiences of the City of Mesa and its cultural institutions, and to maximize community benefit and earned revenues.
- Embrace and support additional communications and community engagement responsibilities as needed.
Artistic and Programmatic Leadership
- Direct and provide creative and business direction of administrative and production planning support for the Arts and Culture Department.
- Interact with and stay abreast of developments in the regional arts and culture and expand its influence regionally and nationally.
- Support innovative marketing, fundraising, and economic/fund development strategies.
- Embrace additional artistic and programmatic leadership responsibilities as needed.
Traits and Characteristics
The selected individual will have a well-rounded set of competencies that sets them apart from others in the field. As a visionary, results-oriented, collaborative, and passionate leader, they will be able to set, pursue, and reach goals for the Arts and Culture Department and the city. The individual will be or become known as a leader in arts and culture in the City of Mesa, regionally and nationally. A champion of new ideas and with a keen sense of art-based economics, this individual will exhibit the following competencies:
- Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills – The adaptability to cooperate with others (internally and externally) to meet objectives by effectively communicating and listening, showing empathy, building rapport, empowering experienced staff, and relating well to all kinds of people.
- Planning, Organizing, and Problem Solving – The capability to work with a team to establish courses of action, ensuring that work is completed effectively and in the best interest of the City of Mesa.
- Project Management and Accountability – The ability to empower staff while also ensuring team accountability and being answerable for personal actions.
- Leadership – The ability to develop an experienced team with a united purpose and drive.
- Customer Focus – The ability to influence and drive towards excellence to deliver customer needs, wants, and expectations.
- Diplomacy and Flexibility – The sensitivity to handle difficult or politically sensitive issues effectively and tactfully.
Qualifications
Qualified candidates will have a combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree in a related field is preferred. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible managerial, supervisory, and administrative experience is required. Experience in local government and arts institution management sufficient to integrate the activities of the department is preferred. Candidates must have excellent skills and experience in decision-making, planning, economic development, and organization in fields directly related to arts and theater administration, facility administration, event planning and support functions, live event producing, public art, marketing, business, fund development, budget management, and/or related fields.
Compensation and Benefits
The City of Mesa provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent health insurance options, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and professional development opportunities. The anticipated salary range for this position is $136,240 to $183,372.
Applications and Inquiries
To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/city-of-mesa-seeks-arts-and-culture-director/.
Mesa is a place where people come TOGETHER to make up a strong, vibrant community. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to succeed and contribute in meaningful ways within the community. Our commitment is to cultivate a city where individuals and families thrive—where hard work, collaboration, and community spirit drive progress. Through citywide initiatives and programs, we are dedicated to making Mesa a place where prosperity grows, and everyone is welcome.
