Position title: Director, Cultural Arts

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer, SpArc Philadelphia
FLSA status: Exempt

Summary: The Director, Cultural Arts is responsible to support the mission of SpArc Services by developing and managing all aspects of the Cultural Arts program including driving the successful implementation of strategic growth plans for the program through enhanced programming, census expansion, expanded partnerships and community involvement.

Position Responsibilities:

• Ensures a safe, engaging, stimulating and socializing environment for program participants through varied arts activities, inspiring creative and cultural expression.
  • Provides meaningful and developmentally appropriate cultural programs and activities for center participants including regularly scheduled trips into the community to expand cultural experiences.
  • Encourages and supports community exploration and employment for program participants, and takes participants into the community for new experiences.
  • Ensures center participants are supported by staff and actively engaged in activities.
  • Uses a variety of activities and art mediums to engage participants, develop skills, and build confidence. Brings state of the art knowledge of activities and materials to engage population served.
• Drive the daily operation of the program meeting program goals and standards.
  • Ensures licensing and regulatory compliance.
  • Develops, implements and holds staff accountable to follow written policies and procedures
  • Ensures life skills and personal support activities are provided based on individual needs, respect for the dignity of participants, choice and enhance the quality of life for those individuals served. Provide personal care to participants as needed.
  • Provides for the administration of medication as prescribed and in accordance with established protocols. Participates in medication training and is medication certified.
  • CPR certified and First Aid trained.
  • Completes incident reports when necessary. Fully cooperates with any investigations and implements findings.
• Provides fiscal oversight of the program including adhering to program budget, monthly reporting, recommendations for increased revenue and cost cutting measures. Is fiscally responsible.
• Responsible for accurate and timely billing to the state.
• Develops and implements the strategy that will maintain and expand the program and meet funder expectations. Develops program enhancements to meet needs of program participants, responds to trends and funder priorities.
• Responsible for the preparation of all materials, including files, in accordance with applicable regulatory standards. Is prepared for yearly and unannounced site inspections.
• Provides timely, accurate and complete reports for internal and external purposes. Adheres to all record keeping requirements.
• Participates and contributes to the intake process to ensure the needs of the individuals accepted can be met.
• Keeps abreast of current trends in services and best practice initiatives.
• Involve participants in other SpArc Services programs to participate in cultural arts activities.
• Develop a calendar of annual events that highlights participant talent, creativity and involvement in the arts. Institute regular dissemination of information about the cultural center by written or electronic means.
• Manages annual Art Exhibition event as well as other arts-related events throughout the year.
• Assures regulatory and waiver compliance.

Partnership and Collaborative Relationships:

• Builds and expands community inclusion by leveraging and developing relationships throughout the Philadelphia arts community. Establishes new exhibition venues to attract diverse viewers, increase exhibitions and expand accessibility.
• Develops and maintains relationships with funders, support coordinators, families, and other stakeholders to ensure quality services, coordinated care, promote open communication, and program growth.
• Effectively market the program to existing and new funders, family members and other stakeholders.
• Maintains positive and transparent relationships with all monitoring agencies. Provides information and responds to requests promptly and thoroughly, responds promptly to all participants, family, funders and other stakeholder concerns.
• Develops partnerships with community arts programs to augment program, create innovative activities, and gain visibility. Applies for funding and grants.
• Positively and professionally represents SpArc Services at appropriate venues.

Staff Management:

• Contributes toward creating a climate that attracts, retains and motivates high performance in staff. Supervises program staff and program specialists.
• Implements the agency performance management program, completes performance evaluations and provides staff with ongoing performance feedback.
• Conducts 90-day reviews on or prior to a staff’s 90th day of employment.
• Oversees staff training, ensuring that they meet the required annual training hours.
• Models positive customer service skills and the core competencies of the organization. Holds others accountable to do the same.
• Conducts regular meetings with staff and participates in management meetings to ensure priorities are clear, coordination is good, and communication remains open.
• Recruits, selects and trains direct support staff. Responsible for orienting new staff to the structure, processes and procedures in the program.
• Develops staff schedules and prepares payroll.

Regulatory Responsibilities:

• Responsible for regulatory and waiver compliance.
• Responsible for developing and implementing the Community Participation Support service as specified in the ISP and for each participant.
• Recommends a revision to a service or outcome in the ISP as needed, including addition, deletion, or modification of an outcome, or service. 
• Supervises, monitors, and evaluates participant services.
• Reports changes related to participant needs to supports coordinator and other team members.
• Coordinates the training of direct support professionals on the content of the Health and Safety needs section of the ISP relevant to the service provided.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred.
2. At least five years prior experience in direct service including prior program and staff management experience. Experience leading art education and utilizing different art mediums. Ability to leverage contacts in the Philadelphia art community and be a credible advocate of art education for people with disabilities. Able to engage stakeholders in this vision.
3. Demonstrated ability to drive program expansion and program recognition throughout stakeholder community.
4. Clear criminal and child abuse history, medical and drug screen. Valid driver's license.
5. Must demonstrate effective communication skills with people from diverse backgrounds; able to present in small and large groups with multitude of stakeholders.
6. Demonstrates the organization's core competencies and solid customer service skills.
7. Strong computer skills.
8. Ability to coordinate and direct the work of others.
9. Ability to translate regulations into practice. Knows the importance of effective record keeping.
10. Ability to form and maintain effective partnerships with all stakeholders.
11. Effectively problem solve with the ability to proactively address issues preventing escalation.
12. Hires and develops a high-caliber staff capable of providing high quality services, accountable to job responsibilities and motivated.
13. Requires self-direction, independence, excellent communication skills, good time management, organizational skills, and attention to detail including prioritization.
14. Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and details simultaneously. Ability to work well under pressure and the flexibility to respond to changing priorities, unplanned events or emergencies.

Physical Environment/Working Conditions:

Routine office environment. May be required to drive a van, lift and/or physically support participants independently or with other staff. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resumé to HR@sparcphilly.org, using "Director, Cultural Arts" as the subject line.

SpArc is an equal opportunity employer.