Executive Director Opportunity Guide - www.acornlive.org - KEES / Alford Executive Search
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Executive Director Opportunity Guide
www.acornlive.org
www.kees2success.com | Building transformative teams and leaders 1
The Acorn’s Mission
To offer a broad range of high-quality arts and education
programming that nurtures cultural experience, participation and
community engagement among residents and visitors of all ages,
and enhances the economic vitality of the region.
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About The Acorn Center for the
Performing Arts (aka The Acorn)
The Acorn is the creative and alike. Performances span from audiences together for experiences
performing arts epicenter of Harbor Americana to indie/alternative to that move and enlighten, bring joy
Country. Located in Three Oaks, world music, from gut-splitting and discovery, and create moments
Michigan, it draws audiences from comedy to feel-good entertainment. like no other. In 2021, planning
Chicago, northern Indiana, and Local stars premiere new works. is underway to offer traditional
southwest Michigan. It is supported Regional performers, playwrights, performances, when conditions
and managed by a passionate team and songwriters springboard are safe, and blend in new ways of
of staff members, Board members, their careers. The unique, intimate promoting innovative material and
volunteers, sponsors, donors and environment of The Acorn bonds arts programming.
community members. performers and audiences; it is a
reputation it proudly fosters. Yet The As many good stories begin, The
With a budget around $1M, Acorn is more than a building or a Acorn starts in 2002 with a writer,
The Acorn curates, highlights and stage. It is a dynamic collaboration Chicagoan Kim Clark. Clark needed
supports local talent while also with nonprofits, schools, and area space for workshopping his theater
welcoming renowned performers theater troupes. In the midst of the projects. He connected with David
such as Graham Nash, Jeff Daniels, pandemic, The Acorn showcased Fink, a Chicago manufacturing
and BoDeans, to name a few. Every its creativity with Acorn Anywhere!, executive. They learned that 70 miles
performance year is filled with a a series of outdoor events hosted from downtown Chicago, the historic
breadth of diverse programming in and around Harbor Country and Warren Featherbone Company
that ensures no two events are beyond, bringing performers and building in Three Oaks was for sale.
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As new owners, Fink and Clark for the Performing Arts. This
gutted the building and constructed opened the doors to fresh ideas,
an industrial-chic theater and diverse programs, and exciting
loft-style apartment. The theater collaborations. In a typical year, The
officially opened in 2003. Acorn buzz Acorn offers over 140 shows.
and creative energy were rampant
those early years. Chicago and local 2020 did not stop The Acorn.
talent took to the stage. The theater With 10 outdoor shows, online
and apartment became regionally performances, grant activity and
renowned as an art incubator for donor generosity, the Board was
theater pieces, books, and a podcast. able to preserve most of the financial
The New York Times ran a story reserves.
about The Acorn and the renovation
was featured on HGTV’s show Within the next year, The Acorn will
Building Character. further secure its future by becoming
the owner of the current theater
In recent years, The Acorn building. With that investment
community believed there was comes the theater’s bar and the
more they could do to enrich beautiful loft apartment on the
the performing arts. In 2015, second and third floors, which is
the enterprise went from private a VRBO rental. The future holds
ownership to becoming a nonprofit endless opportunities for The Acorn.
arts organization: The Acorn Center
2019 2018 *
$1,000,000
+16% +49% +25% TOTAL REVENUE IN 2019
2020 theatre
ANNUAL SEATING **
AUDIENCE CAPACITY
REVENUE*
300** reconfiguration
EXPANDS SEATING CAPACITY TO 340
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The Opportunity: Executive Director
The Acorn seeks an experienced and influential executive leader as its next
Executive Director, who will provide strategic direction for the organization,
strengthen its place as a cultural hot spot in Harbor Country, Michigan, and
build relationships with audiences, performers, donors, local businesses,
schools and other stakeholders.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, with the Board The Executive Director will provide leadership to The
Chair as chief liaison, this leader will play a critical role Acorn, ensuring the historic venue’s role as the premier
in broadening The Acorn’s presence as a nonprofit site for concerts, festivals, community events, and
organization, and inspiring the community to further other arts and entertainment events in Harbor Country.
engage by volunteering, donating, attending events An energetic and enthusiastic leader with a passion
and identifying other opportunities for meaningful for the performing arts and a firm commitment to
engagement. The Executive Director will establish public service, this individual will ensure the effective
priorities, develop annual workplans, and lead, business management and operations of The Acorn
supervise and mentor The Acorn staff and contractors, for the benefit of Harbor Country residents and visitors.
as performing arts professionals operating within a The new Executive Director will ensure artistic and
business venue. The crew consists of an Operations cultural programming of the highest caliber is presented
Manager and contracted services provided in the areas of (directly or in partnership with cultural and community
programming (Artistic Consultant), facilities, marketing, organizations) and build revenue streams which support
and digital/online presence. the current and growing artistic and operational needs.
The Executive Director will partner with local and
regional artists, arts organizations, residents, visitors,
community leaders and the general public.
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Performance Objectives
Vision, Leadership, and Management
• Collaborate with the Board to • Develop and implement • Determine staffing and volunteer
design the vision and strategic plan measurable objectives, strategies, requirements for organizational
of The Acorn and lead, develop, budgets, funding strategies and management and program
motivate, supervise, and maintain timelines. delivery.
a highly effective, productive, and
cohesive team (board and staff) • Foster a culture of teamwork and • Facilitate the development and
with both professional/technical collaboration among the Board of maintenance of human resources
expertise and operational talent to Directors, staff, contractors, artists policies, procedures, and practices
implement that vision. and the community. including the development of job
descriptions for all staff.
• Provide collaborative leadership • Facilitate the organizational effort
in maintaining a positive and to ensure the fair and equitable • Oversee aspects of the schedule
productive working relationship treatment of all staff, contractors, of programs and events, rentals,
among the Board of Directors, volunteers, performers and and partnerships, ensuring the
donors, patrons, partner patrons. Lead and model The adequate allocation of resources
organizations and volunteers. Acorn’s commitment to diversity to support programs and effective
Evaluate and design initial and and equity. Foster an atmosphere operations that generate annual
3-year optimal staffing models. of inclusion and support. revenues in excess of expenses.
• Manage staff through a lens of
flexibility, openness to suggestions,
and the ability to resolve/mitigate
conflict.
Philanthropy and Financial Management
• Develop a comprehensive annual • Work with the Board and Board • Evaluate the effectiveness of
operating budget with the Board Development Chair to identify, the venue operations, collecting
and Finance Committee that cultivate, and solicit individual and assessing data to support
accounts for operating, capital, donors. Manage own portfolio of operating and program decisions,
and future needs; ensuring that individual major donors to increase ensuring that all venues, physical
the organization operates within the number of donors and size and virtual, are optimized and
budget guidelines. Regularly of gifts. earned revenue opportunities are
monitor budgets, cash flow maximized.
statements, and prepare forecasts. • Create and implement an annual
philanthropic plan to meet current • Demonstrate fiscal responsibility
• Maintain consistent reporting and increasing revenue needs and efficient use of all
on the organization’s financial (operational and capital). Develop organizational resources.
position and outlook and ensure new strategies for additional
fiscal responsibility and course revenue streams, research • Ensure that the organization
correcting, as necessary. funding sources and acquire the complies with all mandated state
appropriate resources needed for and federal reporting and filings.
• Act as primary fundraising and development success.
development professional, fulfilling
all philanthropic needs of The Acorn • Manage a portfolio of Major Gift
and ensure the Board is staffed to donor prospects.
fulfill their philanthropic duties.
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Performance Objectives
Board and Volunteer Relations
• Collaborate with the Board to • Identify, assess, and inform the operations, including budget,
identify and secure adequate Board of internal and external audience, performances,
funding for the operation of The issues that affect The Acorn. community awareness, etc.
Acorn.
• Motivate and encourage the • Build and guide the corps of
• Ensure the Board and operational Board in its role of ambassador volunteers, where needed, to best
Committees are staffed and and fundraiser. meet the needs of The Acorn,
equipped to fulfill their duties ensuring appropriate training,
through staff support, technology, • Support, train, and equip the recognition, and utilization.
access to resources, etc., including Board to excel in roles that
knowledge and expertise on all of may push the boundaries of • Conduct official correspondence
The Acorn’s activities. comfort zones. on behalf of the Board as
appropriate and jointly with the
• Provide the Board with Board when needed.
comprehensive and consistent
reports on all aspects of
External Affairs, Events, and Community Outreach
• Act as the primary spokesperson • Provide the marketing direction • Cultivate relationships with
for The Acorn, representing for The Acorn, leading staff and surrounding nonprofit and for-
the organization at community contractors in the development profit arts producers, promoters,
activities and events to enhance and implementation of effective and presenters to encourage their
the organization’s community promotional strategies for use of The Acorn as a catalyst for
profile. programs and events. the growth and development of
Harbor Country’s cultural sector.
• Coordinate and develop vendor, • Communicate with donors,
producer, and patron relationships, patrons, stakeholders, and • Serve on formal or informal
including legal contractual volunteers to keep them informed community committees, councils,
relationships. of the work of The Acorn. or groups with other leaders and
volunteers to champion the work
• Ensure that programs are mission • Establish good working of The Acorn, share expertise and
driven and in line with strategic relationships and collaborative learn from others on emerging
plan goals. arrangements with community news that may impact or be of
groups, the media, funders, and interest to The Acorn, its Board,
• Work with the Board, staff, other stakeholders. staff, performers and audiences.
volunteers, and auxiliary groups to
develop and expand The Acorn’s • Develop and nurture creative
visibility and brand recognition relationships with Harbor
through public and media relations, Country’s and surrounding
print and web-based programs, communities’ cultural producers
and other marketing activities. and its presenters, identifying
opportunities to collaborate or
partner in innovative programs.
www.kees2success.com | Building transformative teams and leaders 7
The Qualified Candidate
The Acorn seeks an experienced and influential accomplished leader as its next
Executive Director. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated business
acumen and a passion for the arts and embody that passion when sharing the
story of The Acorn with key stakeholders. Forward-looking and innovative,
this individual will bring a fresh perspective to attract new audiences with
diverse offerings. With strong interpersonal and communication skills, this
executive will be comfortable engaging with a variety of people. The Executive
Director will leverage The Acorn’s networks and establish new partnerships to
obtain support and achieve results for this regional gem in Harbor Country.
Specific Requirements Include:
• Proven ability to build strong ability to create, implement and • Proven success in building strong
external relationships with a monitor complex plans, and and productive work teams with a
variety of volunteers, public translate those plans into goals focus on mentoring and nurturing
leadership, partner organizations and concrete strategies. staff development.
and other stakeholders.
• Excellent speaking, writing and • Career track record that shows
• Knowledge of new trends and public presentation skills. stability with an organization
ideas in the performing arts, and capacity to develop and
or the ability to identify trends, • Expertise in creating multi- nurture relationships culminating
analyze impacts and apply to disciplinary seasons for diverse in overall success.
current situations; demonstrated audiences.
experience collaborating with • A minimum of seven years
• Track record in financial of progressive experience in
resident companies, agents and
management, stewardship, leadership and management,
promoters.
and developing strategies to preferably in the nonprofit sector,
• Strong analytic and strategic- successfully increase earned and with documented ability to
thinking skills, with demonstrated contributed revenue. manage staff and lead teams.
This position offers a
competitive market-based salary
commensurate with experience.
how to apply APPLY NOW!
Benefits and relocation are To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, no applications will
negotiable. It is desired that the be accepted via email. ALL INQUIRIES WILL BE HELD IN STRICT
Executive Director live within CONFIDENCE.
driving distance of The Acorn.
This search is being managed by Heather Eddy, President and CEO,
The Acorn is an equal opportunity and Kiana Martin, Project Coordinator of KEES. Questions may be
employer and does not addressed to kmartin@kees2success.com.
discriminate on the basis of race,
color, gender, religion, age, sexual KEES is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds transformative
orientation, national or ethnic teams and leaders. A woman-owned and operated firm, KEES offers
origin, disability, marital status, a full array of nonprofit consulting services including executive search,
veteran status, or any other leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more
occupationally irrelevant criteria. information, please visit www.kees2success.com.
www.kees2success.com | Building transformative teams and leaders 8
More About Three Oaks and Harbor Country
The village of Three Oaks is located and popular movies. As a quote from In 2020, Southwest
in southwest Michigan, just minutes a New York Times article on Three
Michigan was named on
from the shores of Lake Michigan. An Oaks stated, “I don’t know many
Condé Nast Traveler’s
easy commute from both the Chicago other small, getaway towns that are
and South Bend areas, it welcomes this progressive.”
“20 Best Places to Go
a robust population of seasonal
in 2020” list.
tourists, second homeowners, and Also located in the historic
Citing the area’s “ocean-like
year-round residents. Featherbone Factory is The
coastlines and a laid-back vibe,”
Journeyman Distillery. In addition to
Condé Nast highlights the area’s
The performing arts heritage lives a large dining room and three event
burgeoning agritourism industry,
throughout Berrien County with spaces, The Journeyman produces a
including the numerous breweries,
playhouses, a fine arts music hall and line of spirits consistently recognized
cider mills, and winemakers and the
a symphony orchestra. For decades, as the best in the country. Across the
vibrant foodie scene.
writers, artists and performers have street from The Acorn, Froehlich’s
gravitated to the area to share their Bakery recently expanded to add a
Warren Woods State Park and
work, collaborate, and be enriched large event space, a restaurant, and
Chikaming Township Park and
by the energy of the community. retail shop featuring house-made
Preserve are among the local outdoor
In Three Oaks, there’s Drier’s Meat specialties made from locally-
attractions with walking and cross-
Market, a fourth generation shop sourced ingredients. The village
country ski trails, rich forests, fishing
that Carl Sandburg once patronized. of 1600 residents is buzzing with
piers, bird-watching sites, picnic areas,
The Vickers Theatre, a renovated activity and nightlife.
a community garden, a mountain
art-house film theater that features
bike trail and beautiful scenery.
independent, documentary, foreign
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