The Requirements

To be a strong fit for the role of Executive Director, you will have:

• Extensive experience and proven ability to provide strategic leadership and long-range vision in executive positions with broad responsibility and wide visibility, such as Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, etc.
• A passion for the arts and enthusiasm for bringing the arts to economically, culturally, educationally, etc. diverse communities; a commitment to preserving the heritage of the Muck estate
• Some direct involvement with non-profits, such as experience as an executive director, board member, etc.; the ideal candidate will have experience and demonstrated success in both non-profit and for-profit organizations
• Ability to manage an enthusiastic and committed staff through oversight, mentorship, and guidance in helping them achieve goals, grow professionally and add value to our programs/mission
• A team player approach with proven ability to build strong teams
• Talent in building relationships and bridges, both internally and externally, including developing strong partnerships with the Board, the City of Fullerton, and our neighbors, as well as with vendors and participants in our programs, such as our catering partner, performers, presenters, etc., and the leaders of events, such as the Car and Jazz Festivals
• Skill and experience with financial planning/reporting and budgetary oversight
• Expertise with partnership development, fundraising and grant writing
• A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience; an advanced degree is a plus Quick question for you - click here

Just as important as your experience and skills will be the following characteristics and competencies:

• Honesty, integrity, and transparency
• A genuine, personable and approachable persona that promotes trust, sincerity, and caring
• A collaborative approach
• Excellent listening/understanding, verbal and written communication skills; the ability to communicate effectively with the public and the media
• Polished presentation skills with the ability to engender passion in others
• Sensitivity to diverse communities and multicultural issues and language
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills
• A detail orientation and a commitment to administrative accuracy
• Openness and the runway to continue to grow professionally

You also will need to be willing and able to work flexible hours in order to attend events and meetings in the evening and on the weekend. In this role you will spend a fair amount of time out in the community, visiting local businesses, doing community outreach, attending events in public places and bringing attention to the center and our mission. You'll need a valid driver's license and your own insured vehicle. Most travel will be in Orange County, but you may work outside the county as well when there is potential to add value/funds to the center.
 

The Role

As Executive Director, you will work with a Board of long-tenured members and provide day-to-day management and oversight of The Muck, while also developing, implementing and executing a creative strategy for future growth and development. You will dedicate yourself to our mission, continually bringing attention to the center and highlighting our programs, achievements, and future. Quick question for you - click here

To meet your goals, you will need an outgoing personality combined with a polished and professional presence. You should have the vision to recognize The Muck's long-range potential, and the strategic insight and motivation to meet short- and long-range goals.  

In the following areas, some of your duties will include:

Board, Foundation and Community Partnerships

• Board partnership, strategic planning and accountability Quick question for you - click here
• Attending regular meetings with key partners in the City
• Work directly with the Foundation (responsible for programming and maintenance)
• Community outreach; building/rebuilding relationships with established service groups in the community
• Positively expanding the visibility of the Muck in the local and regional community
• Keeping our vision alive by presenting and executing on the mission
• Uncovering new opportunities; managing challenges/objections head on
• Preparing the organization for next stage of growth
• Working with the Board to develop strategy and goals

Leadership

• Maintaining a productive and engaged staff
• Developing staff leadership
• Inspiring team members to their best and work to their potential
• Establishing and maintaining positive working relationships to achieve the goals of the organization
• Leading with vision; taking a collaborative, team-oriented approach
• Promoting and adhering to our values
• Continuing to support your own professional development, recognizing gaps, and finding solutions to continually grow as a leader

Programming and Education

• Creating partnerships; expanding educational programs
• Developing and producing quality cultural programming for Muck events
• Working with the curator to bring artistically relevant shows to the Muck
• Ensuring the Muck is relevant to the local and regional community
• Ensuring the Muck is meeting unmet needs within our mission
• Overseeing and developing content

Fundraising / Budget

• Grant Writing to support arts programming 
• Budget and P&L oversight to ensure The Muck remains financially stable and prosperous Quick question for you - click here
• Creating/ensuring positive and sustainable cash flow
• Managing and building diverse revenue streams and sources of funding
• Fundraising
• Forecasting and negotiation

Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Why Join Us?

Respected Organization
The Muck has a very favorable image in the community and we're proud of what we've achieved over our history and in the last decade...but it's time to do more. You can leverage that reputation to open doors, and once you're inside, promote our goals for the future and our vision of how will enhance and complement the community we serve.

Talented, Enthusiastic, Upbeat Staff
You will manage a staff of six full-time employees who have a palpable passion for our mission and vision. They're great people with a sense of purpose who are anxious to learn and continue to add value to the Muck. Naturally, you'll need to earn credibility and respect upon joining us, but we think you will enjoy the team and find their sense of purpose inspiring and motivating.  

Noble Mission and Vision
The mission of The Muckenthaler is to provide the public with experiences that stimulate creativity and imagination while conserving the heritage and architecture of the Muckenthaler Estate.

The Muckenthaler Cultural Center offers extraordinary exhibitions, performances and engaging educational programs to Orange County’s diverse communities and beyond. It’s our vision to celebration of the human spirit through the arts. See the video to the left for more information about our mission, and original and new master plans.

Award-Winning Organization
Our vast array of awards and accolades, over the last few years alone, includes:

• The 2010 Arts Program of the Year award from Arts Orange County
• Past Reader’s Poll awards from OC Parenting for Best Historic Site
• The Orange County Register’s finalist list for Best Museum
• 2012 winner for Orange Coast Magazine’s, Most Eclectic Venue 
• 2013 winner for Orange Coast Magazine’s Best Arts Education 
• 2014 winner for The Orange Coast Register’s Best Art Gallery
• 2016 Superintendent's Award for Excellence in Museum Education for STEAM Programs

Income Streams
Unlike many non-profits, we enjoy strong income streams through events at the estate, such as weddings, and our programming. While we have solid revenue flow, we still need to fundraise and pursue grants in order to meet all our goals and objectives. For example, the City recently approved a capital fundraising campaign that will fund upkeep, improvements and maintenance to the estate. 

Beautiful Location
Though we're in the heart of the City of Fullerton, there's a wide-open, country feeling to The Muck. We enjoy a beautiful location and a lovely work environment. It's also a favorite setting for important events such weddings. 

Keys to Success

This is a multifaceted role that will require the breadth of your skillset. Naturally, you’ll leverage your executive-level hard skills, such as budget management and strategic planning, but just as important will be your outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.

We’ve already noted that you will need to build bridges and fresh partnerships, but what we're referring to goes beyond simple relationship building. You will instill passion in those you reach out to, and the quality and commitment of the partners you develop will determine the level of success you can achieve and the impact you can make. You should be a joiner of groups and a promoter of the center, bringing visibility to its mission wherever you can. To continue to build The Muck and take it to the next level, we will need the solid foundation you build with the Board, City, and the community to support that growth. The next level is not just about adding more classes and bloating the programs, it's about adding the right value to engage and meet the needs of the community and enhance the reach of our mission. For example, arts education specifically developed to reach and support at-risk families, women and children. You will bring impactful ideas, not simply expanse, to the table.

Of course, you won't build the foundation for success or the strategy for advancement alone. You and the Board will partner to promote a shared, forward-thinking vision and renewed sense of purpose. Your team, including the Education, Facilities Administration, Marketing, Fundraising, and Exhibition Directors will also work in tandem to advance our mission.

In all of your efforts, the following traits will take you far: demonstrated passion, enthusiasm, an entrepreneurial spirit, the ability to hear, understand and contemplate ideas beyond your own, a sense of integrity, respect for all and belief in transparency.  

Pictured: The Muck offers a variety of programs through our gallery, which features four unique exhibitions per year.

About the Muck

Commissioned at an original cost of $35,000, the Muckenthaler home was built by Walter and Adella Muckenthaler in 1924 atop a hill in Fullerton. The 18-room mansion on 8.5-acres was donated to the city in 1965 by Harold Muckenthaler, who wished to see his childhood home used as a cultural center for the public. In 1999, the Muckenthaler received designation by the National Register of Historic Places. 

Our multi-award-winning programs include a gallery with four annual exhibits; a 250-seat stage hosting 55-65 annual concerts; an education program on site and at 18 outreach sites that served 13,000 students and almost 45,000 patrons last year. We started an outreach program in 2009 and quadrupled programs during the recession in shelters, foster care, prisons, hospitals and schools. We teach 29 art forms through 19 teaching artists with VAPA compliant curricula. Our demographics now match the region with 40% Latino and 20% Asian participation. 

A few of our popular educational, volunteer opportunities and events include:

The Muckenthaler Motor Car Festival

The Muckenthaler Motor Car committee has dedicated more than 20 years to enriching and improving the lives of children through arts and education programs through the Muck Foundation. It is the strong relationship between this committee and the Center that make the Motor Car Festival possible. The committee is proud to play a key role and contribute their time and energy to the premier fundraiser of the year. 

First conducted in 1994, the Muckenthaler Motor Car Festival features beautiful and rare automobiles, displayed on the 8 rolling acres of lush lawn and aged trees of the Muckenthaler Mansion. The annual affair has brought in thousand for charity and is looking to the future to increase its success and continue its generous tradition. 

The Muckenthaler Center Circle

Established in 1967, the Muckenthaler Center Circle is dedicated to the development and success of the Muckenthaler Cultural Center by providing volunteer services to promote and staff fundraising events which support the Center’s community arts, including children’s art, music programs, theatre, and local and national art exhibits. Membership is open to anyone 18 years and older who wishes to make a difference in our Orange County community.

We encourage involvement at the Center through taking classes; working in the gift shop; and attending plays, concerts, exhibitions and other exciting activities. Members hold regular meetings and programs, plan field trips to museums and historical sites.

The Center Circle volunteers enjoy opportunities to participate in a variety of activities. Whether you enjoy playing cards, doing crafts or going on tours, there is something for everyone. Registration is required for all activities.

Muck STEAM

Our STEAM educational program (mucksteam.org), which is compliant with VAPA and STEM standards, offers elementary, middle school and high school students project-based learning opportunities that complement traditional education. Classes are presented at outreach sites throughout the area.

The Muck Jazz Festival
​
Entering its 11th season, our jazz series has emerged from nativity as a recognized force on the Southern California Jazz Scene. Patrons can buy season tickets.  For more information, please visit The Muck. Clicking this link will navigate you away from this page. Be sure to return to submit your resume.