Chief Operating Officer - Mural Arts Philadelphia

Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. For over 35 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative and equitable process, creating nearly 4,000 artworks that have transformed public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts aims to empower people, stimulate dialogue, and build bridges of understanding with projects that attract artists from Philadelphia and around the world, and programs that focus on youth education, restorative justice, mental health and wellness, and public art and its preservation. Popular mural tours offer a firsthand glimpse into the inspiring stories behind Mural Arts’ iconic and unparalleled collection, which has earned Philadelphia worldwide recognition as the “City of Murals.”

For more information about Mural Arts Philadelphia, visit www.muralarts.org.

This position oversees the organization’s ongoing operations including the financial and administrative components of the work (budget, systems, protocols, contracts, and compliance), human resource management, program and project divisions, and field operations. The COO ensures that the staff and the work promote the organization’s vision and advance its mission to use participatory public art as a way to ignite meaningful change in place, people and practice.

The COO is a key member of the Executive and Leadership teams and reports directly to the Executive Director, Jane Golden. The individual in this position works closely with the Executive Director, the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director of Human Resources, the Director of Finance, and the Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates Board of Directors. In addition, as a City of Philadelphia appointed position funded by the City, the COO represents the organization at the City as its advocate and champion, making sure the interests of Mural Arts, its funding, and its mission are well represented and protected.

The COO has eight direct reports:

• Director of Human resources
• Director of Finance
• Program Director of Art Education
• Program Director of Restorative Justice
• Program Director of Porchlight
• Project Management Officer
• Director of Operations
• Assistant to the COO, receptionist/office manager
• Mural Arts Advocates has a total staff of 49 full-time, 95 part time and 7 city employees.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the work advances the organization’s mission in close collaboration with board and staff leadership
• Oversee the daily operations of the organization and its full-time and part-time staff and annual budget of approximately $14M
• Establish policies and procedures, and support practices to ensure alignment with the core values and activities of the organization
• Oversee the Finance department, and work closely with the Executive Director, Director of Finance, and Chief Advancement Officer to develop and manage the annual budget with corresponding revenue and expenses
• Oversee and work closely with the Director of Human Resources to develop and implement policies following best practices, overseeing the successful implementation of those practices to promote a healthy and balanced workplace
• Design and implement plans, procedures, and tools to ensure efficient, effective and safe operations across the organization’s multiple and varied functions
• Provide oversight and guidance to the development and review of legal documents, e.g., contracts, authorizations, professional services agreements, leases, MOUs,…
• Oversee and plan risk management and insurance related matters
• Oversee the maintenance and upgrades of the organization’s headquarters in communication with corresponding City representatives
• Represent the organization at the City level in monthly cluster meetings, at the Managing Director’s Office, in the annual city budget hearing process and other instances where the organization is called to present at the City in close collaboration with the ED, Director of Finance, and Chief Advancement Officer
• Contribute to the strategic planning efforts of the Executive and Leadership teams of the organization
• Provide leadership to support best practice research in public art and mural-related production areas, such as community engagement, materials, supplies, fabrication and installation of murals
• Manage relationships and build partnerships with partners/vendors/external stakeholders
• Support development and implementation of metrics to evaluate and guide the programmatic and operations work
• Present at quarterly Board meetings and maintain relationships with Board members when applicable and in close collaboration with the CAO

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a leadership position with a minimum of 5 years’ experience
• Evidence of commitment to core values of the organization with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Advanced degree in organizational development or relevant experience
• Experience with organizational budget creation and oversight
• Understanding of key functions of core responsibilities (HR, finance, project and program management, facilities)
• Outstanding supervisory skills
• Experience in operations management in the nonprofit sector
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to forge and develop collaboration within the organization and with key stakeholders
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Systems thinker
• Skilled facilitator
• Attention to detail
• Experience/interest in arts and culture sector preferred
• Experience with the City of Philadelphia in areas of budgeting, managing contracts and advocacy a plus

Working Conditions

Tasks for this position are generally carried out with no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands. While performing the duties of this job, the COO is regularly required to work at a desk with a computer for extended periods of time and on occasion visit mural sites. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment such as computers, telephones, and cell phones.

The position requires flexible hours. The COO is expected to attend some activities that take place during evenings and weekends, and be available for emergencies in addition to regular work hours. The COO may be required to attend meetings, both on- and offsite, via phone, videoconference, and in person.

Employment, Compensation and Benefits

As a City funded position, the COO enjoys the benefits of the City’s sponsored medical and health benefits package, retirement plan, and its sought after pension plan. The City also has 12 annual holiday days in addition to the regular allotted holiday time package. The salary range is $110,000 - $120,000, commensurate with skills and experience.

Since this is a City position, the offer process is as follows: Mural Arts makes the initial verbal offer. Once accepted, the HR department of the City of Philadelphia then sends the official offer letter per the agreed upon terms. The City has considered Mural Arts a program of the City for over 25 years, providing funding, physical plant resources, and other benefits associated with being a City program.

The hired candidate must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including applicable booster shots, prior to the start of employment. All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference and background checks as determined by Mural Arts Philadelphia.