Deputy Director

Founded in 1972, the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) is a multidisciplinary urban arts center based in Southeast Queens. Our mission is to offer quality visual and performing arts programs, and to provide accessible education programs to encourage participation in the arts. We operate out of two landmark buildings: the Jamaica Arts Center, with five floors of galleries, artist studios, rehearsal spaces, flexible spaces, a studio theater and office space; and the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, a 400-seat, flexible proscenium theater with offices and other spaces.

In June 2024, JCAL adopted a new five-year Strategic Plan that establishes the following core goals:

• Activate JCAL as a creative home for Queens and a singular cultural anchor for New York City.
• Deliver a balanced continuum of programs that “super-serves” artists, learners, and audiences.
• Build brand and reach via simple, memorable, consistent messaging amplified through deep community partnerships.
• Engage, empower, resource, and equip the whole of the organization for the purpose of revenue generation.
• Promote shared responsibility and leadership at every level of the organization.
  
  

Consistent with our Plan, JCAL has reestablished the full-time position of Deputy Director. Reporting to the Executive Director (dotted-line to Artistic Director), the Deputy Director supervises the Manager of Venue Operations, the Manager of Facilities, and the Director of Program Operations in support of the Artistic Director.

The Deputy Director will be a positive, intuitive, resourceful individual who respects our mission, shares our institutional values, understands our Plan, and respects the diverse cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds of Southeast Queens deeply. High emotional intelligence is critical for this role.

Tasks And Responsibilities

• Provide thought partnership and managerial support for the Executive Director;
• Drive operational excellence and efficiencies in and between Program Ops, Venue Ops, and Facilities;
• Mitigate operational risks across all departments while also optimizing institutional resources;
• Hold authority for administrative compliance of all institutional policies and procedures;
• Support budget management and reporting, fiscal operations, revenue generation, and cost savings;
• Ensure that program metrics and data-collection practices drive internal decision-making;
• Participate in identifying, building, and stewarding institutional partnerships;
• Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor staff, delegating tasks and ensuring teamwide accountability;
• Insist on and foster a positive work environment that prioritizes training and professional development.
  
  

Standards And Skills

• Minimum 7 years achievement in arts or arts-adjacent nonprofit setting;
• Demonstrable knowledge of administration and programs;
• MA/MFA preferred; minimum BFA/BA;
• Superb skills in communication and operations, with great attention to detail;
• High EQ, including strong interpersonal and deep listening skills;
• Proficiency in software, social media, and ideally a fundraising database;
• Experience operating efficiently and collaboratively within tight-knit teams;