Assistant Director

About the Asian Cultural Council

Headquartered in New York City, the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) is a leading nonprofit organization working in cultural exchange between Asia and the U.S. to advance international dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect. Individual fellowships and organizational grants are awarded to support research, study, and creative work by leaders practicing 16 disciplines in the arts and humanities in the U.S. and 25 countries in Asia. ACC staff in New York work closely with four regional affiliate offices in Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, and Manila. Staff at the New York office are currently working a hybrid schedule: three days in the midtown office located at 8 West 38th Street and two days from home. Additional days in the office are as required or requested. This schedule may be adapted at the management's discretion.

Position Summary

ACCis seeking an Assistant Director, Programs and Alumni Engagement to manage our Programs team that includes grant-making and alumni engagement. The Assistant Director, Programs and Alumni Engagement will be a key leader in strategic program development and implementation, grants administration, assessment, and alumni activation and engagement. The Assistant Director will lead the New York Program team and partner with the Asia teams in developing a portfolio of grants, alumni engagement initiatives, and public programs that align with ACC's vision, mission, and goals. They will represent ACC at conferences and symposia, within the arts field, and before organizational supporters.

The Assistant Director, Programs and Alumni Engagement will contribute to ACC's strategic planning, oversee its integration with long-term programmatic vision, and manage implementation of the plan through ACC programs. They will oversee and facilitate the implementation of programmatic vision and strategies across all ACC offices, and manage the NY Programs department staff, currently consisting of three FT direct reports. They will be responsible for directing impact assessment and developing and writing reports and briefs as needed to ensure that the Board of Trustees is informed about ACC's programs.

This role will require some travel, including occasional domestic trips and up to one international trip a year, as well as periodic evening and weekend work to attend grantee and alumni programming, cultivation events, and field convenings.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Program Strategy and Development

• Direct, develop, and implement organization-wide and region-specific program priorities and strategies, maintaining regular attendance at events and conferences, and tracking developments related to ACC's activity, including focused research.
• Adapt, manage, and carry out programs to ensure that the grant-making model is strategic, impactful, and financially viable. Hold responsibility for overall program design and evaluation of program impact, including setting guidelines and overseeing delivery and consistency of program services in a timely fashion.
• Develop the department annual budget, which includes grant-making and programmatic activities, in partnership with the Executive Director and the Director of Finance and Operations.

Program Department Management and Implementation

• Oversee the ACC grant-making cycle in collaboration with ACC Asia offices and the NY-based Program Officer, Grants Administrator, and Grantee and Alumni Relations Officer including but not limited to:
• Overseeing the application review process, including ensuring that applicant questions are answered, reading and evaluating applications for eligibility and alignment with program priorities, and interviewing short-listed applicants from both NY and affiliate offices' grant application selection processes.
• Overseeing policies and procedures for logistical services to grantees such as J-1 visa applications and compliance.
• Manage the Grantee and Alumni Relations Officer and oversee alumni, grantee, and stakeholder convenings and other special projects. Organize public programs to raise ACC's visibility in the arts and philanthropic space and foster learning and networking opportunities for ACC's alumni and prospective applicants.
• Managing the delivery of program services for fellowships as a hallmark of ACC's program, including coordination with Asia staff and providing programming and networking guidance to fellows with the Grantee and Alumni Relations Officer.
• Maintain responsibility for the overall program budget and its components to ensure budgetary and programmatic compliance.
• Oversee global alignment of program budgets for the NY office. This includes but is not limited to coordinating the allocation of restricted donor funds in collaboration with the Director of Finance and Operations.
• Manage and monitor the NY office's programmatic budget as well as grant-related budget allocations in collaboration with the Director of Finance and Operations.
• Supervise overall grants management operations, which includes but is not limited to the oversight of ACC's grants management system and grant administration procedures and policies.
• Develop and maintain an international network of ACC alumni and cultural specialists to advise ACC and grantees during their grant activities periods.

Other Areas of Impact

• Partner with Executive Director and advancement staff on fundraising efforts, including providing support for grant proposals, attending donor meetings, and communicating programmatic impact.
• Draft written materials about ACC's programs for internal and external communications.
• Develop and maintain relationships with leaders in philanthropy, the arts, and cultural organizations in service of programmatic goals.
• Represent ACC at conferences and other public forums to advance the organization's programmatic goals as required.
• Lead, implement, and support special projects as assigned by the Executive Director.

Position Qualifications

Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal abilities with demonstrated cultural competency and diplomatic capabilities.
• Ability to lead and collaborate across lines of national, cultural, generational, and other social differences.
• Proven track record of building and strengthening networks with individuals, partner organizations, and collaborators.
• Relationship-oriented with the ability to support the professional development of artists and strengthen relationships with funding partners.
• Proficiency in analyzing and framing complex issues simply and clearly.
• Ability to develop program ideas and strategies and to communicate conceptual frameworks effectively to diverse constituents, from grant seekers to Trustees.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills that can engage a wide range of audiences.
• Familiarity with one or more artistic disciplines strongly preferred.
• Seasoned multitasker, detail-oriented, and deadline-oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously, and a team player where collaboration is required.
• Demonstrated experience as a strategic thinker with implementation capability, especially following through an entire life cycle of a project.
• A leader and a facilitator of collaborative activities with colleagues, grantees, and alumni.
• Partner with the Executive Director in enhancing the organizational impact of ACC's cultural exchange work.

Education and Experience

• A minimum of 7 years' experience required. Relevant experience could include working in philanthropy with a focus on the arts and/or cultural exchange or management of programs or projects in the creative or cultural realm.
• Direct grantmaking experience or deep familiarity with grantmaking is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of staff supervision experience is required. The Associate Director, Programs and Alumni Engagement supervises three staff members and may also supervise interns, fellows, and/or consultants.
• Advanced degree in Humanities, Arts Management, or another relevant field is preferred but not required.
• Experience working with individuals, issues, and/or organizations in Asia is preferred but not required.

Application Process

The Asian Cultural Council is an equal opportunity employer and invites applications from candidates regardless of race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or religion. The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $115,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience, and comes with a very generous benefits package. In addition to robust health, dental and vision plans, ACC offers an outstanding retirement plan.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Jennifer Krauss at

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