Diversity Awareness Partnership

COCA (Center of Creative Arts) is a leading, multidisciplinary community arts organization committed to enriching lives and building community through the arts. As an innovative model for arts education and nationally accredited for artistic and educational excellence, COCA serves as a regional hub for learning in and through the arts for all ages from all backgrounds and skill levels. The organization was founded with the intention of being a place of artistic learning that would transcend the boundaries of geography, race, and class. COCA celebrates diversity in perspectives, backgrounds, artistic disciplines, and experiences, and believes everyone should have access to experience the arts. It has grown to become one of the most diverse cultural institutions in St. Louis, a position bolstered by a commitment to access and equity.

COCA employs a mixed-income business model to deliver its mission-aligned programs and services. The annual operating budget for the current fiscal year (ending August 31) is $7.6 million; additionally, COCA’s endowment is presently valued at $6 million. COCA owns and manages a 92,000-square-foot building in University City, which includes the historic B’nai Amoona Synagogue, which was built in 1950 and served the community as a religious site until the 1980s; the original building is listed on the National Register of Historic Spaces. In 2020, construction completed on a 52,000-square foot expansion, including the state-of-the-art Catherine B. Berges Theatre, additional studios, scenic and costume shops, and a community commons space. The expansion was funded through a $49 million Create Our Future capital campaign and financed in part through New Market Tax Credit partnerships. COCA has a professional full-time staff of 36, and more than 250 part-time employees, including artistic faculty and theatre production teams.

COCA offers a robust benefit package that includes: 

• Access to health benefits, including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (HSA) and company paid Life Insurance and Short & Long Term Disability coverage.
• Paid time off and sixteen (16) paid holidays.
• Complimentary tickets to COCA productions, subject to availability.
• COCA camps, classes & workshop discounts.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. 

Leadership & Strategy:

• Strategic partner to the President & CEO’s and leadership team to develop strategies and consistent outcomes across programs that align with COCA’s strategic direction.
• Support the senior leadership team in making steps toward programmatic consistency and sustainability.
• Champion of organizational development creating a nimble culture of talent that will reflect the organization’s strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Cultivate a culture that prioritizes the growth, success, and well-being of staff and maintain an inclusive environment where diverse staff can thrive.
• Provide hands-on management of the company’s day-to-day operations with the ultimate goal of effectively serving the organization’s needs.
• Develop, monitor and implement processes required to effectively manage COCA’s current activities and operations, as well as its plans for growth; ensure that effective processes are in place so that growth/change is achieved with minimal disruption of day to day activities and profit.
• Oversee internal workflows and organization development; ensures communication and information flow throughout the organization is efficiently managed to provide all employees and manager with current, pertinent, job-related information.
• Understand challenges, opportunities, and emerging issues faced by the organization.
• Work with leadership team and staff to design and execute internal and external communications approaches to support them.
• Guides strategy and effectively directs targeted marketing to a wide range of COCA patrons and stakeholders to diversify participation, increase the visibility and drive revenue.
• Work collaboratively with Programming, Operations, Artistic and Development staff teams to devise appropriate communications and strategies to support new business development, patron participation, internal communications, institutional messaging, and revenue generation.
• Actively engage, cultivate and manage press/public relations to ensure coverage surrounding COCA programs, social events, public announcements, and other projects.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other departments of the organization in establishing and carrying out responsibilities. Provides oversight and guidance to projects of high importance.
• Translate strategy into a clear and shared vision for excellent operations and collaborate with leaders on their team to translate that vision into actionable plans for delivering/optimizing on all operations-related priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct performance and compensation reviews.
• Hires, train, supervise, motivate and develop department directors; manage schedules and workflow.
• Assures staff conforms to organizational policies, procedures, and government
  regulations.
• Directly supervises three (3) employees within the Marketing, Human Resources and Operations departments.
• Indirectly supervises 15 – 20 employees with in the Marketing, Human Resources and Operations departments.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with COCA’s policies and
  applicable laws.
• Oversee all employment and human relations matters, such as salaries, benefits, job assignments, job orientation, performance evaluation, retentions and dismissals, personnel records, employee handbooks, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and/ or Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field or equivalent required; Master’s Degree preferred.
• 5+ years of senior management experience in marketing, communication, facilities and/or HR or related fields.
• Experience managing staff with a wide range of relevant skills, needs, and lived
  experiences.
• Ability to earn trust, inspire support, and elevate voices from a wide-range of
  stakeholders
• Demonstrated knowledge of brand development and current marketing and
  communication trends, including new media channels.
• Demonstrated ability to develop earned revenue budgets and meet earned revenue goals.
• Record of accomplishment with developing and leading successful marketing and communication campaigns that achieve specific measurable results.
• Understanding of HR best practices and procedures.
• Understanding of basic operation and facilities management.
• Passion for arts, arts education, and community-based work.
• A commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Competencies: 

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays
  orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Self-Starter & Team Player - Takes initiative, possesses a strong sense of ownership, and is dedicated to ensuring a quality brand presence at all times. Inspires the trust and confidence of others, for successful collaboration with daily tasks, occasional projects and the attainment of knowledge necessary to ensure success in operational outcomes.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust; Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.
• Problem Solver – Proactively anticipates challenges and implements change to avoid issues. Able to manage complex issues to resolution. 

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach and manipulate objects.
• The position requires mobility. Duties involve moving materials weighing up to 10 pounds on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc., and may infrequently require moving materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Manual dexterity and coordination are required while operating equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment.
• This position may require nights and weekends working, as applicable.
• This position is eligible for remote and hybrid work, subject to the COCA Remote & Hybrid Work Policy.

COCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at COCA are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. COCA is committed to achieving a diverse workforce through application of its affirmative action, equal opportunity, and nondiscrimination policy in all aspects of employment. COCA complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact hr@cocastl.org.

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