Executive Director

Salary Range: $135,000-$160,000 annually + benefits

Location: San Francisco, CA (onsite)

Reports to: Board of Directors

Closing Date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority consideration given to applications received by January 5, 2026.

Attention Applicants

Please take a moment to carefully review and follow the application instructions provided below. Your attention to detail in this process is important and greatly appreciated.

About

Located in San Francisco’s historic Fillmore/Western Addition neighborhood, the African American Art & Culture Complex (AAACC) presents, offers, and celebrates Black art, artists, and culture through educational, innovative, enriching, and empowering programs and services that inspire and uplift the community. Within its 34,000-square-foot facility, the center provides a wide variety of art and cultural programming for youth, adults, and families, including visual, digital, and performance. The center features two indoor galleries, an outdoor gallery showcasing murals, and a 206-seat theater for live shows, film screenings, and seminars. Recognized as one of the premier Black arts and cultural institutions in the San Francisco Bay Area, AAACC houses some of the most celebrated African American arts and culture organizations in the region.

Job Summary

AAACC seeks a visionary and strategic Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter. This individual will oversee the overall health, impact, and sustainability of AAACC — serving as a unifying leader across programmatic, financial, operational, and community priorities.

The ED will be responsible for deepening the organization’s cultural impact, growing its reach, and building a sustainable future that centers Black artists, cultural workers, and San Francisco’s historically Black communities.

Organizational Priorities and Leadership Opportunity

AAACC is entering a pivotal chapter in its history. As one of San Francisco’s few remaining Black-led and Black-serving cultural institutions, the organization plays a vital role in the cultural ecosystem of the Fillmore/Western Addition and beyond.

The next Executive Director will lead the organization through an important time of transition, not only following a period of co-leadership, but also as the organization prepares for a planned facility restoration and temporary relocation, expected by late 2026. This moment calls for a leader who can unify and guide AAACC through strategic planning, operational transitions, and deep community alignment.

Key Leadership Priorities

• Strengthening staff, increasing retention and internal alignment, with a focus on clarity, accountability, and equity
• Stabilizing the organization’s financial foundation, while expanding revenue streams and deepening funder relationships
• Reinforcing AAACC’s position as a home for Black creatives, cultural workers, and community groups in a rapidly changing San Francisco
• Uplifting community voices and relationships, particularly among youth, elders, artists, and longtime neighborhood residents
• Leading with cultural humility and integrity, while honoring the organization’s legacy and embracing innovation

This is a powerful opportunity for a visionary, grounded, and community-rooted leader to build on AAACC’s foundation and shape its next era with clarity, compassion, and courage.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Set vision and direction in alignment with AAACC’s mission and legacy
  • Build and implement strategic plans in partnership with the board and staff
  • Center equity, racial justice, and cultural sustainability in all decisions
• Organizational Oversight
  • Supervise senior leadership across programs, operations, finance, HR, and communications
  • Ensure operational excellence, financial health, and team accountability
  • Support a thriving, collaborative staff culture
• Financial Management & Fundraising
  • Oversee organizational budgets and financial forecasting
  • Build and maintain funder relationships, support grant strategy
  • Identify new revenue streams and opportunities
• Community Engagement & Partnerships
  • Represent AAACC to key external audiences, including city agencies, funders, and cultural networks
  • Build authentic partnerships across communities, especially those most impacted by displacement and cultural erasure
• Board Relations
  • Partner with the Board of Directors on governance, planning, and fundraising
  • Keep board informed and aligned with organizational priorities

Profile of Candidate

• 10+ years of leadership experience in nonprofit or cultural settings
• Proven experience in financial oversight, fundraising, and team leadership
• Deep commitment to Black cultural expression, equity, and community-centered work
• Experience working within or alongside Black or POC-led organizations
• Strategic thinker with the ability to navigate complexity and inspire collective action

In addition to the above qualifications, the successful applicant must demonstrate a strong commitment to:

• Alignment with AAACC's mission and a strong desire to serve the Black community and people of the African diaspora.
• The arts and the expansion of the experience for Black creatives living in San Francisco
• Black youth, families, seniors, and persons with different abilities, especially those living in San Francisco.
• Uplifting racial and social justice.
• Dedication to meeting the needs of Black artists, arts organizations, cultural workers, and culture bearers.

Start Time Frame: Early 2026.