Director of Cultural Services / Executive Director of Marin Cultural Association
Position Profile

About the Opportunity

The County of Marin in California is seeking an innovative professional to lead the committed teams responsible for stewarding a cultural and community treasure – and to value its wide-reaching contributions to all ages in the community as well as more than 800,000 annual visitors to all events. The next Director of Cultural Services/Executive Director of the Marin Cultural Association (MCA) will be a leader who embraces a spectrum of creative expression and activity, is committed to engagement with the community and all of its members, and who can cultivate a vision and energize a team for continued growth and success in supporting a rich cultural life in the region. This is a rare opportunity to join a dynamic organization, provide leadership and guidance to staff and, at the same time, continue to impact the lives of so many by continuing to deliver this expansive set of programs to an eager and welcoming public. 

About Marin County Government

With an operating budget of $815 million (FY 24/25), the County is comprised of 22 agencies and departments with a workforce of over 2,400 positions. It is governed by the Board of Supervisors, which is made up of an elected representative from each of the five voting districts. The Board of Supervisors also appoints a County Executive Officer who is responsible for implementing Board decisions and overseeing the majority of County departments and operations. County departments focus on the Board’s six priority areas: affordable housing and homelessness, climate change resiliency, disaster preparedness, racial equity, capital infrastructure, and County workforce. 

The County strives to uphold a set of core values: respect, trust, integrity, diversity, equality, excellence, accountability, innovation, and collaboration. These values help to maintain and enhance public trust and help achieve high quality service outcomes. The County is committed to being a well-managed organization that utilizes the talent of its workforce and the dedication of its residents to succeed. 

Marin County Community

Marin County is located in the hills northwest of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge and is home to an engaged community of 260,000. The County enjoys a diversified economic base, including a mix of insurance, medical, pharmaceutical, technology, financial, agriculture, and retail employers.  

Marin is a desirable place to live and is known for its combination of rural and suburban lifestyles, entertainment and recreational activities, and mild, year-round climate. Marin’s youth are supported by a strong education system and higher education is offered by Marin Community College and Dominican University, and several other excellent institutions in the area.  Marin includes the incorporated cities of Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, and Tiburon. Learn more about these communities here. (https://tinyurl.com/58sfztud)

Marin’s location in the Bay Area is ideal with commutable distances to several neighboring counties.  Within the County itself, and in less than an hour’s drive, residents can enjoy the majestic coastline, renowned county and state parks, access to the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma Counties, and the enjoyment of all that San Francisco offers.  Marin offers outdoor enthusiasts a variety of activities including hiking, mountain biking, camping, golf, horseback riding, sail boarding, surfing, fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, etc.  

About the Position

The Department of Cultural Services in partnership with the Marin Cultural Association has four essential functions: operating the Marin Center facilities and campus as rental venues, programming a diverse performance series and the visual arts galleries, overseeing the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center docent tour program, and producing the Marin County Fair. The Department and the Marin Cultural Association support art and culture in Marin County, increasing participation, advancing collaboration, and optimizing resources to create greater access to the arts for all Marin County residents regardless of age, race, ability, or means.

The Director of Cultural Services oversees the programs and activities of the Marin Center campus including the 2,000 seat Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, 350 seat Showcase Theatre, 22,500 square foot Exhibit Hall, Frank Lloyd Wright designed Fairgrounds, Children's Islands and Lagoon Park. Campus wide attendance is over 800,000 annually.

To learn more, visit:
Marin Cultural Association (https://tinyurl.com/5ej3wtht)
Marin Cultural Services (https://tinyurl.com/4a373uu7)

The Ideal Candidate

The new Director will be recognized as having the ability to provide the organization with the following qualities and attributes:

• Have a passion to promote the organization as a contributor to economic and community development yet recognize the quality of life valued by the County residents and surrounding communities
• Be known as a “people person” with an engaging style who is comfortable interacting with a full spectrum of individuals and one who welcomes dialogue and debate while fostering a collaborative environment
• Have experience in long range capital planning and an understanding of land use planning and development
• Be innovative and results-driven with a track record of successful leadership of an organization
• Have experience developing and implementing expanded strategies that include specific objectives, activities, and successes in event management, cultural and visitor services
• Desire to explore options for enhanced revenue with community partners
• Bring a proven track record of fiscally prudent management including successfully managing expenses, preserving investment in essential services, and expanding revenue sources, including state and federal grants
• Be a skilled leader and negotiator, able to manage and negotiate a variety of complex contractual agreements with developers and governmental bodies
• Be an individual who will accept responsibility and will be accountable for decisions made and actions taken. Equally important, possess confidence to voice opinions candidly yet provide all alternatives to the elected and appointed officials as well as the community
• Effectively incorporate a strong business sense and financial acumen to public service
• Be a leader who demonstrates high standards ethically and professionally
• Someone who will be a thought leader in culture and the arts, with a vision for the larger department and excitement for engagement in activities and plans across the larger campus
• A strategic thinker who pursues a keen knowledge of the changes in the wider culture in the post-pandemic era in order to envision and plan for continuing success and sustainability for the significant contributions that Cultural Services and the MCA provide in Marin County

Additionally, the Director must be a charismatic leader with a customer-service orientation and have a proven track record of effectively managing programs, budgets, and staff. A broad understanding of fair and event management, facility management, financial management and the ability to work collaboratively in the community to obtain new, related funding are also of vital importance. The individual selected for this position will be effective in leading a dynamic organization, open to new ideas, and adept at implementing best practices. As such, the Director must have extremely strong management skills complemented by outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.

The ideal candidate should have knowledge of:
• Laws, rules and regulations governing large events, large buildings and facilities and California laws regulating public events.  
• Program planning and management practices related to events, arts, productions, and/or Fairs. 
• Event management, public assembly, building design and equipment use. 
• The promotion, management, operation and maintenance of multiple facilities such as exhibit halls, performing arts theaters and auditoriums. 
• Large scale ticket selling procedures and of publicity methods and media. 
• Building safety regulations, building maintenance, and safety strategies for public events. 
• Management principles and practices, including strategic planning and implementation, program development, implementation and evaluation; budget development and administration; and employee supervision.
• Applicable laws, codes, and regulations related to public facilities use and contract negotiation.
• Lessee needs for cultural, sporting, convention and entertainment events, shows, pageants, and a familiarity with groups interested in utilizing facilities for such activities. 
• Contracts, leases and rental agreements.
• Union rights and use of union represented employees for facility and event operations.

The ideal candidate will have the skills to:
• Delegate and provide policy direction to management staff and develop and implement goals, policies, procedures and work standards. 
• Interpret, explain and apply federal, state and local laws related to the varied areas of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of other County departments, agencies, private contractors, community groups, professional artists, entertainment and cultural organizations, communications media and with the public.
• Identify with and implement the overall objectives of the County as determined by the County Executive, Board of Supervisors, or Marin Cultural Association.
• Cultivate and solicit gifts from individuals, government entities, foundations and corporations.
• Partner with community groups and individuals to advance fundraising efforts.
• Direct the preparation and maintenance of accurate records and files and accurate and effective written reports, policies, procedures, correspondence and other written materials.
• Attend associated events, make effective oral presentations and represent the County in meetings with representatives of other public and private organizations and with other County departments.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Exercise considerable judgment and discretion in the operations of the Marin Center, the Marin County Fair and the Marin Cultural Association.  

In summary, County Leadership is seeking an energetic individual who will employ a team approach to problem solving and be proactive in addressing issues. With an ongoing focus on efficient and effective service delivery, the new Director will have many opportunities to excel, enjoy, and fully engage in this vibrant environment in a beautiful and supportive community.

Opportunities and Challenges

The Director will have both short- and long-term opportunities and challenges that include the following:

• Continue to improve and expand the facility and outdoor rental program, including continued use of the Exhibit Hall as a temporary theater for use by local performing arts groups during the closure of the Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium.
• Produce the award-winning Marin County Fair
• Serve as the Arts Council for Marin through the Non-Profit, the Marin Cultural Association (MCA)
• Curate two galleries and showcase Marin artists whose work ranges from bucolic landscapes to photographs of houseless people in one of the current exhibits called “The Dignity of Homelessness”.
• In collaboration with the Department of Public Works and the Office of the County Executive, explore additional facility improvements to the Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium and the rest of the Marin Center campus.
• Serve as a key County partner in the Agricultural Institute of Marin’s planning process for a permanent Farmers Market on the Marin Center campus.
 
Cultural Services will be focusing on the implementation of the Marin County Arts Council, with the nonprofit Marin Cultural Association (MCA) as well as strategic planning and development for a revised Arts and Culture Plan. Race equity is a priority of the existing Arts and Culture Plan, and the ongoing work related to the cultural arts equity network will remain central as the plan is updated and new strategies and initiatives are established. One of the goals of the Arts Council and the Arts and Culture Plan is to make the art and performances showcased at Cultural Services venues reflect the diversity of the Marin community.

Compensation

The annual salary range is $203,528 to $224,348.  The County of Marin offers a competitive, full benefits package including: 

• Cafeteria-style health and welfare benefit plan that allows employees to choose from a variety of health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance plans. 
• Generous holidays and leave allowances include vacation, management, personal, and sick leave. 
• A car allowance for department heads.
• A defined benefit retirement plan governed by the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL), which can be reciprocal with other retirement systems.  For more information:  www.mcera.org. and https://www.mcera.org/employers/new-hires.
• A voluntary deferred compensation 457 plan administered by Nationwide to enhance retirement planning.

Marin County is seeking a seasoned professional with broad expertise supported by appropriate experience. Candidates should be aware that this is a national search effort in order to attract the strongest pool of candidates for consideration. Although California experience may be considered a plus, individuals with the experience from other out-of-state jurisdictions are also strongly encouraged to apply.

This position requires, at a minimum, the equivalent to a four-year college level degree in business, public, or arts administration or a related field and five years of full-time professional experience in arts or facilities management.

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. 

We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you're returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you apply. 

Application Instructions

This search is being conducted with support from Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, a New York-based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries. The search is being led by VP of Executive Search, Cynthia Fuhrman. To apply, visit the online application (https://tinyurl.com/mvkshjba) and submit your materials, which should include a cover letter and your resume. Your cover letter should include any training or experience relevant to the job profile that you would like to highlight, why you consider yourself a good fit for this opportunity, and anything else you’d like us to know about your qualifications that may not be present in your resume.  

The application deadline for this position is January 13, 2025. Please note that meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview. No phone calls, please.