Rainbow Serpent Assistant Director

Job Title: Assistant Director

Compensation: 

The salary range is $50,000-$55,000, commensurate with relevant experience. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Pittsburgh, PA, that includes some evenings and weekends. Rainbow Serpent offers a benefits package that includes medical insurance and paid vacation.

Reports to: 

Marques Redd, Co-Executive Director, with dotted line to Mikael Owunna, Co-Executive Director

Organization Description: 

Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in March 2023, Rainbow Serpent is a rapidly growing nonprofit organization that seeks to advance Black LGBTQ culture through the exploration of multimedia art, emerging technologies, traditional African cosmologies, and innovative healing protocols. Our mission falls into six integrated categories. (1) We create and promote artistic works across many media (such as film, live performance, sculpture, photography, public installation, and literature). (2) We explore the potential of emerging technologies (such as spatial augmented reality and artificial intelligence) to generate new artistic concepts and creations related to Black LGBTQ culture. (3) We offer educational programs and workshops to expose the general public to African spirituality seen through a LGBTQ lens. (4) We organize multi-day retreats grounded in queer African spiritual traditions that promote mental, physical, and spiritual healing. (5) We curate large scale events that showcase a diversity of cultural expression and feature work from established and emerging practitioners. (6) We provide residencies for Black LGBTQ artists, writers, healers, and technologists, who are given time and space to create new work and share it with the community.  

Job Description: 

The Assistant Director of Rainbow Serpent will be deeply involved in a variety of organizational facets, balancing administrative duties, programmatic oversight, and communications efforts to support our diverse initiatives. In this role, the individual will oversee the meticulous planning and execution of a large portfolio of artistic and cultural programs, including film and book tours, art exhibitions, pop-up merchandise stores, live performances, educational workshops, and spiritual retreats. Administrative excellence is a key aspect of this position, as it will require maintaining a project management platform, regularly updating project calendars, coordinating meetings, tracking deliverables, crafting a wide variety of documents (invoices, email correspondence, reports, etc.), and organizing complex logistics. The Assistant Director will participate in the development of new program ideas to further our mission, pursue collaborative projects with peer organizations, and contribute to the production and exhibition of new artistic work as needed. Additionally, the role encompasses a blend of communications responsibilities, which include creating content for our website, overseeing our newsletter, drafting marketing plans, and participating in our e-commerce efforts.

Job Responsibilities:

Administrative work: 50%

- Oversee project planning and coordination, scheduling, resource allocation, and tracking for all Rainbow Serpent initiatives (including film and book tours, art exhibitions, pop-up merchandise stores, artist residencies, curated events, spiritual retreats, and educational workshops)

- Draft letters, email correspondence, agenda material, financial spreadsheets, invoices, reports, powerpoint presentations, and other documents 

- Manage calendars of executive directors and organize meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements

- Maintain an archive of Rainbow Serpent appearances in media (podcasts, TV, radio, magazines, print, etc.)

- Prepare, reconcile, and submit expense reports

- Handle printing, copying, and mailing packages

Programming: 30%

- Provide production support as needed for Rainbow Serpent artistic creations and other programs (e.g., carrying out surveys of location, transporting equipment, reviewing design concepts)

- Oversee the process of hiring contractors, artists, and creative staff for completing projects

- Complete purchasing for photoshoots, programs, and workshops

- Propose ideas for developing projects to expand the mission of the organization and implementing program enhancements 

Community engagement and outreach: 20%

- Follow the work of peer organizations and generate ideas for collaboration

- Collaborate on projects with Communications Manager

- Draft copy for websites, social media, event posters, Google Ads, etc. 

- Add material as needed to e-commerce site and respond to inquiries

- Create quarterly newsletters to go out to distribution lists

- Capture content at events for social media

- Table at conferences and community events

Job Expectations:

- Efficiently Manage Multiple Projects: Oversee and coordinate various programs and initiatives, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.

- Administrative Proficiency: Handle a wide range of administrative tasks including scheduling, document preparation, meeting coordination, and maintaining executive calendars.

- Effective Communication: Maintain clear and consistent communication with team members, partners, and external stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.

- Creative Input and Program Development: Actively contribute ideas for new projects and enhancements to existing programs that align with the organization’s mission.

- Community Engagement and Outreach: Develop and execute strategies for community engagement, including content creation for digital platforms and participation in community events.

- Financial Management: Manage and track budgets for various programs and projects, and prepare accurate expense reports.

- Collaboration and Teamwork: Work collaboratively with the team, artists, contractors, and community partners to achieve organizational goals.

- Adaptability and Problem-Solving: Demonstrate flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances and creatively solve problems as they arise in project management and event coordination.

Job Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s Degree: In Arts/Humanities, Library Science, Arts Administration, Museum Studies, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

- Experience in Arts Administration: At least 3-5 years of professional experience in arts administration, program management, or a related field.

- Strong Organizational Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with high attention to detail.

- Excellent Communication Skills: Proficiency in both written and verbal communication, comfortable in diverse communication settings.

- Financial Management Experience: Familiarity with budgeting and financial reporting.

- Cultural Competency: A deep understanding of and commitment to Black LGBTQ culture and/or issues related to African spirituality, as well as experience working in diverse, multicultural environments.

- Leadership Abilities: Proven leadership skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

- Technical Proficiency: Comfortable with using project management software (such as monday.com), accounting software (such as Xero), Microsoft Office Suite, and digital communication tools.

- Creative Thinking: Ability to contribute creatively to program development and problem-solving.

- Flexibility and Adaptability: Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, and adapt to changing priorities and needs of a rapidly growing organization.

Schedule:

This position is hybrid and full-time, with some evening and weekend work required as Rainbow Serpent periodically hosts art exhibitions in the evening and workshops on the weekend. The Assistant Director will maintain a flex-schedule that balances between working at the office, various on-site activities (that may include out-of-town travel), and work-from-home, with the majority of the job (60%) being work-from-home. Rainbow Serpent strives to provide staff with as much flexibility in work hours as possible.

How to Apply:

For priority consideration, candidates must submit a resume and cover letter/statement of interest to info@therainbowserpent.org before midnight on Friday, February 16. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Candidates who advance to the second round of interviews should be prepared to submit at least two professional references – 1-2 former or current supervisors (mandatory). The projected start date is March 11, 2024.

Rainbow Serpent provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.