Executive Director, Colorado Chautauqua

Located at the base of Boulder’s Flatirons and one of only 24 National Historic Landmarks in the state of Colorado, the Colorado Chautauqua is one of only a few remaining chautauquas in the U.S. It is considered THE western representation of the cultural movement that swept the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is the only site west of the Mississippi that has been in continuous operation since its founding and with its original structures intact and used for their original purposes.

The City of Boulder owns the 40 acres of land underlying the Colorado Chautauqua, along with the Auditorium, the Dining Hall and the Academic Hall. The City has leased 26 acres of the land and those buildings to CCA since its founding in 1898.  CCA is the 501 (c) (3) steward of the chautauqua and owns the Community House, the Missions House Lodge and the Columbine Lodge as well as 60 of the 99 cottages on the premises. The other 39 cottages are privately owned – with the land subleased to the private individuals by the Colorado Chautauqua Association. All buildings are subject to Landmark Design Guidelines administered by the City of Boulder.

CCA provides lodging, programming and venues for private events in the historic Chautauqua buildings and grounds.

Now in its second century, the Colorado Chautauqua remains committed to its historic purpose, offering outstanding cultural and educational programs and attracting more than 250,000 visitors to those programs each year.  Colorado Chautauqua has an annual operating budget of $5 million and a staff of 32 full and part-time dedicated professionals with an additional 30-40 seasonal staff members during the summer months.

Executive Director Position Overview

The Executive Director is the CEO of the organization and is responsible for all day-to-day operations within the organization.  S/he reports to the Board of Directors and supervises all paid and volunteer staff, delegating responsibilities to senior staff as appropriate.  The Executive Director and the Board support each other, and the Executive Director is responsible for organization operations within established Board policies.

Qualifications

CCA is a unique organization with an important history and an even more exciting future.  The board seeks a leader who is committed to CCA’s mission-driven ethos, who is a natural relationship builder, who understands the multi-faceted nature of this work, and who values the opportunity to work with many civic, business, and cultural leaders. 

Qualified candidates will also have experience in these areas:

Mission Commitment/Subject Matter Expertise

• Demonstrated commitment to Chautauqua’s mission and values
• Some knowledge of hospitality industry, historic preservation, cultural programming, and/or environmental sustainability

Leadership

• Minimum of 7 years in leadership or senior management roles in nonprofit, public sector, or private sector of an organization with budget of at least $5 million
• Ability to operationalize CCA’s mission while maintaining profitability, good management and teamwork
• Proven ability to represent an organization with credibility; comfortable in meeting with wide variety of constituents and perspectives
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic vision and plans

Community Outreach and Marketing

• Proven experience in engaging stakeholders from multiple perspectives
• Familiarity with the Boulder community and its civic, business, and cultural leaders preferred
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Experience in working with government staff and elected officials
• Knowledge of effective marketing and brand management techniques

Operational Management

• Demonstrated experience in hiring, developing and managing staff at various levels
• Demonstrated skills in fiscal management, budgeting and effective financial management
• Knowledge of deploying and developing effective volunteers
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Revenue Generation

• Proven experience in building and managing multiple revenue streams
• Demonstrated capabilities in building long term relationships with financial partners
• Significant skills in philanthropic fundraising, cultivating and stewarding long term donors

Program Development & Execution

• Knowledge of effective program evaluation techniques
• Experience in recognizing and leveraging opportunities to partner with other community resources and organizations
• Excellent project management and organization skills
• Some knowledge of event management/production

Board Management

• Experience in working with and supporting a governing board
• Experience in building an effective board member pipeline

Personal Qualities

• Leader
• Open-minded life-long learner
• Results-oriented
• Consensus-builder
• Consummate communicator
• High level of energy with positive can-do attitude
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced environment
• Ability to remain objective and provide effective analysis of complex issues
• Flexibility in decision-making
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Team player
• Conflict resolution skills
• High level of professionalism, discretion

Other

• Undergraduate degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Willingness to live in and be an active participant in the Boulder community

Colorado Chautauqua needs a leader who is excited about the many dimensions of this work, who appreciates the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of people and perspectives, and who can help the board and staff implement their strategic goals.  

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are asked to submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements to Carolyn McCormick of Peak HR Consulting, LLC at Carolyn.McCormick@peakhrconsulting.com.  All applications are to be submitted electronically.  To learn more about the exciting developments at Chautauqua and the specifics of this leadership role, please visit us at www.chautauqua.com.

The Colorado Chautauqua Association follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, gender, veteran status, military status, political service, affiliation, or disability.  This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, relationships with outside vendors and customers, use of contractors and consultants.