Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Executive Director is a full-time equivalent, exempt employee that reports directly to the Erie Center for Arts & Technology (herein ECAT) Board of Directors. ECAT is a community-based organization that inspires, educates, and empowers people of all ages through adult workforce training & creative youth programming.

The Executive Director serves as both the strategic & operational leader of ECAT, overseeing programming and staffing, as well as execution of the mission and strategic plan alike.

This role is critical and requires a proactive approach to ensure financial health, compliance, growth, and impact to the community served by ECAT.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (non-profit management, business administration, finance, accounting); Master’s degree in non-profit management, public administration, or business administration, preferred
• Ability to secure & maintain FBI criminal background check clearance (Act 114), PA State Police Background Check (Act 34) and PA Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse Report (Act 151)
• Passion for the ECAT mission & commitment to equity, inclusion, and strong ties to community
• Proven leadership experience in the non-profit or public sectors, minimum of 5 years; executive leadership preferred.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational management
• Demonstrated experience leading an organization through change; growing an organization
• Direct report management of 5 team members or more
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence, servant leadership, and a hands-on approach to problem solving
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and public speaking skills; excellent written communication
• Strong financial acumen and experience with budgeting, financial planning, analysis and oversight; ability to communicate complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders
• Exceptional organizational & time management skills
• Experience navigating and honoring diverse perspectives, values, and lived experiences.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time and lift 20 pounds
• Occasional travel; valid Driver’s License required

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Strategy
• Provide visionary & strategic leadership aligned with the mission & vision of ECAT and the 2025 Strategic Plan
• Represent ECAT in various settings; maintain a visible and credible presence in the community as well as internally to the organization
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation
• Provide financial analysis and insights to support strategic decision making, fundraising efforts, and long-term planning

 Operations & Management

• Oversee daily operations of ECAT & ECAT Wayne School Inc to ensure effectiveness, financial stability, and efficiency
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards as well as the ECAT Employee Handbook; remain current with non-profit regulations & best practices
• Manage & effectuate cash flow & forecasting; monitor & manage financial risk
• Fundraising, Development, Financial Oversight
• Lead fundraising & development efforts, including donor cultivation, grant writing, and partnerships
• Ensure the integrity & accuracy of all financial data
• Develop & manage the annual budget process for the July 1 – June 30 fiscal year
• Monitor financial performance & ensure transparent financial reporting
• Collaborate with external financial partners, ECAT Board Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair regularly, as well as around quarterly committee meetings
• Manage & effectuate all accounts payable & receivable functions, payroll functions & related compliance
• Manage & effectuate relationships with financial institutions
• Manage & effectuate annual audit process; coordinate with external auditors
• Deconstruct existing capital stack in advance of maturation; rebuild stack as necessary

Human Resources

• Determine & effectuate adequate staffing to meeting organizational goals
• Manage & effectuate recruiting & new employee onboarding, to include benefit package & necessary compliance information
• Manage & effectuate employee annual review process; terminations; exit interviews; grievances; corrective action plans; merit increases
• Identify opportunities for & support team development
• Maintain the Employee Handbook & policies

Program Development & Evaluation

• Ensure programs & services are aligned with the mission and responsive to community needs
• Collaborate with program directors to develop & monitor program budgets; identify cost savings opportunities
• Evaluate the effectiveness of programs through data & stakeholder feedback

Board Relations

• Liaise between the Board of Directors & the staff
• Establish & maintain regular cadence of updates; prepare meeting materials, and support Board development
• Provide for fulfillment of governance responsibilities
•  All other duties as necessary in support of the success of the ECAT

Misc

• 7.5 hour workday; 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday – Friday
• Location: in office
• Attendance & participation at various ECAT events, often after hours & weekends
• Additional hours to meet audit, grant, regulatory, etc. deadlines as needed

This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive; It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of the job. Individuals may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those identified in this job description.

The Erie Center for Arts & Technology aims to promote equal opportunities, eliminate discrimination, and eliminate harassment by opposing all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. All employees, volunteers, and students are treated fairly and with respect.

Compensation & Benefits

•  $75,000 –$90,000 annually; competitive salary commensurate with experience
• (15) days PTO annually; (11) paid holidays
• Health insurance; domestic partner coverage
• Short Term Disability
• Vision; Dental; Long Term Disability; Life; Accidental Death/Disability available at employee’s expense through payroll deduction

Erie Center for Arts & Technology
650 East Avenue, Suite 120
Erie, PA 16503