Executive Director

Job Announcement

Executive Director

Location: Manzanita, Oregon Coast

Direct Reports: Administrative Coordinator (contractor), Bookkeeper (contractor), Writing

Program Lead (contractor), Visual Arts Program Lead (contractor),

Bookkeeper (contractor), Horticulture Program Lead (volunteer), Clay

Program Lead (volunteer), Gallery Coordinator (volunteer)

FLSA Status: Exempt, full-time position; mostly in-person, some evenings and weekends

The Opportunity

Do you believe in the power of vibrant, engaged communities where the arts are

woven into daily life? Are you excited to connect with people, build strong systems,

and help shape the future of an arts organization on the Oregon Coast? Then you might

be a great fit as the next Executive Director for the Hoffman Center for the Arts!

This hands-on leadership role is ideal for someone who deeply believes in the arts’

power to strengthen communities and who enjoys building relationships and long-

term sustainability. The Executive Director role at the Hoffman Center is both strategic

and operational. The ED serves as the organization’s primary leader while also taking

an active, day-to-day role in administration, community engagement, and program

support.

Fundraising is an important part of this role. The Executive Director builds and stewards

donor relationships, helps shape fundraising strategies, participates in grant writing and

supports fundraising events, and works closely with the Board to ensure strong and

sustainable philanthropic support.

With 60+ events across literary and visual arts, gallery, horticulture, and clay studio

programs, and thousands of visitors to the center each year, an arts administrator with a

systems thinking approach who is motivated, imaginative, creative, and flexible will

thrive in this role.

2

About the Organization

The Hoffman Center for the Arts, a nonprofit organization founded in 2004, is a vibrant

community arts organization on the Oregon Coast. We offer an expanding range of

programs, including exhibitions, classes, artist talks, and community events that bring

people together through art, creativity, and learning. The Executive Director serves as the

organization’s top leader and works in close partnership with an engaged and dedicated

Board of Directors to advance the mission, steward resources, and ensure strong

operations. The organization is financially stable and has a budget of $450,000.

Programs

• Gallery: Hosts monthly exhibitions. Open four days a week year-round, with artwork for

sale. Volunteer docents welcome visitors and manage sales.

• Clay Studio: A fully equipped ceramic studio open to the community for independent and

guided studio use, group classes, and workshops.

• Youth: Arts programs across visual and literary arts for youth of all ages. Partnerships

with local schools, teachers, and organizations.

• Writing: Programs for storytellers, poets, and word-lovers, including. workshops, author

readings, publications, and community projects.

• Visual Arts: Workshops in a wide range of mediums, from watercolor, fiber arts, drawing,

encaustic, and more, led by accomplished artists.

• Horticulture Arts (Wonder Garden): A community garden showcasing plants suited to the

coastal climate. Maintained by volunteers and designed for accessibility and community

connection.

Hoffman Center for the Arts Webpage

Success Measures for This Position

• Increased program attendance, awareness, and participation.
• Growth in individual donor contributions and grant revenue.
• Improved staff and volunteer satisfaction and retention.
• Strengthened community partnerships.
• On-time program delivery and budget adherence.

3

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in a nonprofit, arts, community-

based, or related organization.

• Experience working with a board of directors and an understanding of nonprofit

governance.

• Experience supporting staff, contractors, and/or volunteers and fostering a

collaborative, positive culture.

• Expertise with budgeting and financial oversight.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational involvement in a

small organization.

• Passion for the arts and building community.
• Strategic visioning and planning skills and experience.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities with

flexibility and good judgment.

• Excellent written, verbal, and public communication skills.
• Commitment to equity and inclusivity.
• Understanding of the arts’ role and meaning in the community.
• Ability to build relationships across a diverse community, including artists,

volunteers, donors, partners, and participants.

• Emotional intelligence, humility, and integrity.
• Ability to cultivate a creative, fun, and inspiring environment.
• Enthusiasm for the organization's mission and the ability to serve as an effective

ambassador, building relationships and inspiring engagement throughout the

surrounding communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in small or rural community settings.
• Experience in fundraising, donor relations, and grant development or writing.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred. A combination of education

and relevant leadership experience will be considered.

Please see the job description for more information.

4

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $72k - $76k based on experience; eligible for annual reviews and

opportunity for annual performance-based salary increase.

• Benefits: 15 days (3 weeks) personal leave annually; accrues monthly (increases to

18 days year two).

• Ten paid holidays plus three floating holidays.
• $600/month taxable healthcare stipend.
• Four free HCA workshops each year underwritten by the Hoffman so that the

instructor is paid.

• Professional development budget of $1,500 annually to use as you see fit, not part

of income.

• IRA match up to 3% of salary (excluding healthcare stipend).
• Flexible schedule with some remote work possible, in coordination with staff and

volunteers.

How to Apply

• Please send a cover letter and chronological resume to our recruitment consultant,

Kathy Kniep, at kathy@kathykniep.com, by November 16, 2026. Note that the process

for reviewing applications and scheduling interviews begins immediately. In your cover

letter, please include an answer to the following question, supplying a one- or two-

paragraph answer:

How do you create welcoming, engaging, and meaningful spaces for people?

• An email acknowledgement will be sent to all applicants within three business days. If

you do not receive an acknowledgment within that timeframe, please contact Kathy

Kniep: kathy@kathykniep.com / 503-309-3433.

• All inquiries will be handled confidentially.
• The position will remain open until filled.
• Not sure if you should apply? Please call Kathy Kniep with questions: 503-309-3433.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The board and staff of HCA believe they can meet the organization’s mission only with diverse

board, staff, and resident council members who actively cultivate a culture of equity.

• Benefits: 15 days (3 weeks) personal leave annually; accrues monthly (increases to

18 days year two).

• Ten paid holidays plus three floating holidays.
• $600/month taxable healthcare stipend.
• Four free HCA workshops each year underwritten by the Hoffman so that the

instructor is paid.

• Professional development budget of $1,500 annually to use as you see fit, not part

of income.

• IRA match up to 3% of salary (excluding healthcare stipend).
• Flexible schedule with some remote work possible, in coordination with staff and

volunteers.