Executive Director

St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts (VLAA) seeks an Executive Director to lead this thriving organization into the next chapter. Working with a committed Board of Directors and talented staff, the Executive Director will implement an ambitious vision for VLAA’s continued success, cultivate relationships with donors, partners, and the arts community, and provide overall organizational leadership.

Founded in 1982, VLAA is a well-respected nonprofit arts services organization dedicated to connecting volunteer attorneys and accountants with income-eligible artists and nonprofit arts organizations in the bi-state St. Louis region. VLAA also offers a wide variety of professional development programs and is a vocal advocate for the arts.

Vision | We envision a thriving creative community that understands its legal rights and responsibilities and the importance of sound business practices, and where success is not dependent on the ability to pay for quality legal and accounting services or related educational programs.

Mission | VLAA’s mission is to support the creative community by providing free legal and accounting assistance and rewarding volunteer opportunities, offering a wide variety of affordable educational programs, and advocating for the arts sector.

Core Responsibilities

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for VLAA staff, programs, and execution of its mission. S/He will initially develop deep knowledge of core programs, operations, fundraising, board development, cultivation of partnerships, business plans, and the donor base. The person in this position should have knowledge and experience with how the arts – and supporting artists – can transform individuals and communities.

Leadership & Management:

Actively engage and energize VLAA’s board members, funders, employees, and assist with volunteers, stakeholders, and collaborating organizations:

• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization and represent VLAA in the community.
• Regularly engage in strategic planning, with consistent and timely progress towards achieving goals.
• Serve as an advocate through active participation in Missouri Citizens for the Arts.
• Act as a liaison between VLAA and sister VLA organizations.
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field, including nonprofit best practices.

Develop, maintain, and support a strong Board of Directors:

• Work with the President/Executive Committee in organizing the Board’s priorities and setting an annual calendar.
• Coordinate and attend Board and committee meetings.
• Make reports to the Board regarding operations with a focus on progress toward goals.
• Provide expertise to the Board in its decision-making.
• Carry out duties and policies as authorized by the Board.

Oversee day-to-day operations:

• Run effective office systems (including Salesforce), track progress, and regularly evaluate program components.
• Hire and supervise two part-time staff and contractors, as needed.
• Maintain records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and filing requirements.

Programs and Services:

• Supervise the referral service, including all aspects of case management.
• Promote volunteer commitment and involvement.
• Recruit volunteer attorneys and accountants, as needed.
• Plan and implement educational programs, including workshops, clinics, Upstart college outreach, guest speakers, and publications.
• Make presentations on substantive topics and about VLAA.
• Develop and execute plans to evaluate programs and to improve and expand services.
• Coordinate the summer associate program in collaboration with the volunteer director.

Finance & Fundraising:

• Manage finances, including drafting and monitoring budgets, overseeing investments, ensuring timely preparation of financial statements and board reports.
• In partnership with the board, create an annual development plan that guides successful fundraising with realistic goal setting to acquire new sources of revenue through donors and grantors.
• Plan, manage, and coordinate all contributed income programs, including foundation, corporate, government, and individual donors.
• Write grant proposals, manage grants received, and proactively maintain donor records.

Marketing & Communications:

• Write and publish Briefly Stated and Volunteer E-Brief.
• Maintain website (WordPress), monitor analytics, hire and work with a developer.
• Plan and execute event and institutional marketing, including maintaining an active social media presence.

Qualifications:

The next ED will be thoroughly committed to VLAA’s mission, with the following qualifications:

• A passion for working artists, the region’s cultural sector, and VLAA’s service mission.
• At least 7+ years of professional work experience, with progressively increasing responsibility. Prior nonprofit management experience is preferred.
• Commitment to VLAA’s guiding principles, including championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Have strong arts, legal, and/or accounting relationships in the St. Louis region, or demonstrated ability to develop them.
• Capable of independently evaluating and maintaining high work standards with minimal oversight.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with a particular emphasis on explaining public policy, legal, and business concepts in plain English.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; experience with Salesforce, WordPress, and social media platforms preferred.
• Exceptionally close attention to detail, strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, simultaneous projects and to meet deadlines.
• Collaborative mindset, with the ability to build and foster working relationships with people from many backgrounds.
• Experience with teaching and public speaking is a plus.
• Experience or knowledge of legal or accounting is not required (though considered a plus).
• Candidates with experience in volunteering are preferred.
• Curiosity.
• Trustworthy and open with demonstrated integrity.
• Innovative and willing to take risks.

Requirements & Location:

This is a full-time, exempt position based in St. Louis, MO, that requires some weekend and evening hours. However, the job offers flexibility, including some remote/hybrid work, and other opportunities that do not interfere with the Executive Director’s job responsibilities are acceptable.

Compensation:

The salary for this position is between $70,000 and $80,000, based on the candidate's experience, with a monthly stipend towards healthcare coverage and a matching contribution towards retirement. In addition to ten vacation days and paid public holidays, the office is closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

VLAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome all applicants regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or other identity factors.