Executive Director

Job Description

Executive Director
 
About Center for Asian American Media
 
The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. CAAM does this by funding, producing, distributing, and exhibiting works in film, television, and digital media. For 40 years, CAAM has exposed audiences to new voices and communities, advancing the collective understanding of the American experience through programs specifically designed to engage the Asian American community and the public at large.
 
For four decades, CAAM has created opportunities for Americans and people around the globe to understand the diverse stories and experiences of Asian Americans through:
 
• Careers. CAAM empowers filmmakers to achieve their full potential by providing training, funding, distribution, and access to professional networks.
 
• Community. Connecting filmmakers and their stories to people and communities in schools, community centers, theaters, and neighborhoods, bridging conversations about inclusiveness and social equity.
 
• Perspective. CAAM-supported work changes the way audiences see the world, changing hearts and minds, inspiring empathy and meaningful social action.
Learn more about the Center for Asian American Media at https://caamedia.org/
 
CAAM Today and Organizational Culture
 
CAAM stands at a thrilling crossroads in its storied history, where opportunity and potential converge. With a dynamic national presence and the resounding success of its beloved Bay Area Festival, CAAM has flourished under the visionary leadership of Stephen Gong. His dedication has not only propelled the organization forward but also enriched its narrative, making it a true beacon of Asian American storytelling for over 40 years. Now, more than ever, CAAM is poised to harmonize its powerful national influence with the deep roots of its local community work, continuing its legacy of impactful storytelling.
 
As the media landscape undergoes profound transformation, particularly for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, CAAM embraces this moment of reinvention with optimism and determination. The surge in anti-Asian hate has only strengthened CAAM's resolve to elevate Asian American voices, as exemplified by the groundbreaking "Asian Americans" documentary. This unwavering commitment has earned the support of major foundations like Ford and MacKenzie Scott, affirming CAAM's vital role in the cultural conversation. While challenges exist, they are met with confidence, as CAAM strives to stay ahead of emerging media trends, reaffirm its relevance, and stay true to the spirit of the Asian American civil rights movement that birthed it.
 
CAAM's mission to amplify underrepresented stories through public media and support for independent filmmakers remains steadfast. In an industry brimming with change, CAAM is now set to crystallize its vision for the future, blending the triumphs of its past with a forward-thinking strategy. The incoming Executive Director will be entrusted with guiding CAAM through this exciting landscape, ensuring its sustainability and growth while rekindling the organization’s foundational ties to advocacy and inclusion. This is a pivotal moment for CAAM to redefine its role as a storyteller and community leader, ensuring it continues to be a powerful force for good in an ever-changing world.
 
The Leadership Opportunity
 
The ideal Executive Director for CAAM will be a visionary leader, one who can seamlessly blend external influence with internal insight, guiding the organization through both its public persona and the intricate dynamics of its team. As a frontline fundraiser, they will cultivate and nurture relationships with passion and precision, leading the charge to finalize a capital campaign while playing a pivotal role in shaping CAAM’s strategic future.
In a time when media’s power to tell stories can either divide or unite, this leader will use CAAM’s nonpartisan stance to craft narratives that foster understanding rather than polarization, particularly within the documentary space. With a strong emphasis on personnel management, they will prioritize staff development and well-being, bridging generational perspectives and ensuring CAAM’s relevance in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
 
Their fundraising prowess, operational expertise, and unwavering commitment to social justice will be essential as they inspire and relate to a younger, dynamic staff. Flexible and forward-thinking, this leader will guide CAAM through the complexities of the modern world, ensuring that it remains a vital force for storytelling and social impact, while honoring its rich historical mission.
 
Candidate Profile
 
While no single candidate will have every experience listed in the position profile, the ideal candidates will exhibit the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
 
Passion for the Mission
 
Passionate about CAAM’s core mission, the Executive Director will embody the values that have defined the organization for decades, working tirelessly to amplify the diverse voices of Asian American experiences. Their commitment to social justice issues is deeply personal, fueling their drive to navigate CAAM's dual identity as both a national force and a community anchor. With a profound dedication to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), the Executive Director will ensure that CAAM remains relevant in a rapidly changing media landscape, while honoring its legacy of impactful storytelling. Their deep understanding of technology and content distribution, combined with a love for narrative, allows them to champion CAAM's vision with clarity and conviction, uniting stakeholders around a shared purpose.
 
Strategic and Visionary Leadership
 
The Executive Director will lead strategic planning processes to ensure CAAM not only maintains its position as a leading public media organization but boldly redefines what it means to be a cultural and social catalyst in the media landscape. They will rally the team, including Board and staff, to identify and embrace a unified vision for the organization moving forward, ensuring that every stakeholder is aligned and inspired by a shared purpose. They will understand the unique challenges facing the AAPI community, particularly in the context of media and affirmative action, and be well-connected within national AAPI organizations and, preferably, the independent film space. Working closely with the Director of Programs, they will oversee all programmatic aspects of the organization including broadcast distribution, CAAMFest, educational distribution, co-productions, Media Fund, digital media, and talent development, ensuring that programming remains at the forefront of innovation and sets new standards for engagement and impact.
 
Business Acumen and Management Excellence
 
The Executive Director will have a deep understanding of nonprofit management, including goal setting, financial oversight, and budget management. Collaborating closely with the Director of Finance and Administration, the Executive Director will oversee the organization's business affairs, formulate annual budgets, conduct quarterly financial reviews, and approve expenditures. In addition to financial acumen, the Executive Director will prioritize effective management of staff, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that encourages professional growth and collaboration. They will ensure that team members are empowered, aligned with CAAM’s mission, and equipped with the resources they need to succeed, creating a culture of accountability, innovation, and shared success.
 
Board Relations
 
The Executive Director will coordinate Board meetings, regularly reporting on fiscal, programmatic, legislative, and administrative matters, and manage ongoing communication with the National Board of Directors to ensure seamless interaction between staff and volunteers. In this role, they will work closely with the Board to align organizational goals with strategic priorities, fostering a collaborative relationship that leverages the Board's expertise and networks. The Executive Director will also play a key role in Board development, ensuring that members are well-informed, engaged, and equipped to support CAAM's mission. By cultivating a strong partnership with the Board, they will drive the organization's long-term vision, ensuring that both leadership and governance are unified in advancing CAAM's impact in the public media landscape.
 
External Relations and Fundraising
 
Serving as a prominent face of the organization, this leader will eloquently represent CAAM and maintain active and positive relationships with filmmakers and producers, local and national AAPI community leaders, local and national arts and media arts organizations, and the funding community. They will also act as the primary organizational spokesperson to the AAPI community, governmental entities, and national public media entities, on matters related to diversity and public media. Strengthening the brand and voice of the organization, the Executive Director will lead the organization’s Board and staff in the overall fundraising strategies, including a capital campaign, and daily execution of donor cultivation, grants management, and contract compliance.
 
Excellent Collaborator, Communicator and Relationship Builder
 
Adaptable and innovative, this leader will connect with diverse audiences while staying true to CAAM’s roots. They will thrive at authentically and enthusiastically building relationships that convey the importance of CAAM’s work to a wide range of audiences, including donors, partners, and the broader community. The Executive Director will embody a collaborative leadership style, amplifying staff voices and valuing their wealth of knowledge and lived experiences. They will lead with responsiveness, warmth, and supportiveness, prioritizing clear communication in both written and verbal forms with internal and external constituents. With high cultural competence, they will embody empathy and inclusivity and possess high emotional intelligence to create a unified atmosphere.
 
Compensation & Benefits
 
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $190,000 - $235,000 with a generous benefits package.
 
Contact
 
Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Express interest in this role by https://apptrkr.com/5671974 or emailing the search team directly at CAAM_ED@koyapartners.com. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
 
Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
 
Center for Asian American Media is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
 
About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group
 
Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
 
Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
 
Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/koya-partners/

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