Executive Director, Center for Art & Design Learning

Maine College of Art & Design | Portland, Maine

About the Center

Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) is creating a new Center for Art & Design Learning that will serve as Downtown Portland's cultural nexus. The Center is designed to expand access to creative education for a broad array of learners seeking to deepen their knowledge, develop new skills, and engage more fully with Maine's creative community.

Through innovative in-person and virtual programs, community partnerships, and interdisciplinary collaborations, the Center will support creative professionals and lifelong learners with graduate degree and certificate programs that enable them to advance their careers in today's evolving creative economy. The Center will also foster community by providing welcoming spaces for connection, collaboration, and exploration across traditional and emerging art and design disciplines.

Dedicated spaces for the College's established Continuing Studies and Artists at Work programs will strengthen MECA&D's innovative facilities and expand opportunities for a diverse educational community, reinforcing the College's role as a creative and cultural anchor in Portland and beyond.

Position Summary

The College seeks a creative, collaborative, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as the inaugural Executive Director of the Center for Art & Design Learning. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership for the Center, guiding its programs, partnerships, operations, and financial sustainability. Working across the College and throughout the broader community, this position will cultivate an environment that fosters artistic exploration, professional growth, and meaningful connection.

The Executive Director will play a key role in building and scaling new revenue-generating programs and external partnerships that expand the College’s reach and impact. In close collaboration with Advancement, Academic Affairs, Marketing, and other College departments, the role will help shape a cohesive ecosystem of lifelong learning opportunities that align with institutional priorities and respond to the needs of today’s students and professionals.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and implement the Center's strategic vision to create impactful educational, cultural, and community programming.
Oversee the Center’s programs, including Pre-College and Continuing & Professional Studies, while collaborating closely with institutional leadership to amplify the reach of MECA&D’s signature Artists at Work program, the Institute of Contemporary Art, and graduate and online learning opportunities.
Collaborate across the College to design new programs that serve youth, adults, career changers, and lifelong learners.
Build partnerships with businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders to develop initiatives that support the growth of Portland's creative community and industry in Maine.
Partner with the Advancement Office and College leadership to cultivate donors, secure grants, and steward funder relationships in support of the Center.
Oversee the Center's budget and revenue generation strategies.
Manage the Center’s operations and venue to ensure vibrant, welcoming, and well-utilized spaces.

Qualifications, Experience, Skills & Abilities

Bachelor's degree in arts administration, higher education administration, nonprofit management, business administration, education, or a related field required; master's degree in arts administration, education, business, nonprofit leadership, or a related discipline preferred.
Ten-plus years of progressively responsible leadership experience in arts administration, continuing and professional education, higher education, nonprofit leadership, cultural programming, workforce development, or a related field.
Demonstrated success developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative educational, community, or cultural programs.
Experience leading organizational growth through strategic planning, program development, organizational change, and continuous improvement.
Proven ability to launch, grow, or transform programs or initiatives through entrepreneurial leadership and innovation.
Proven success managing complex operating budgets, financial forecasting, and sustainable revenue-generation strategies.
Experience cultivating partnerships with businesses, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, foundations, donors, and community stakeholders.
Demonstrated success securing philanthropic support through donor cultivation, grant writing, sponsorships, or other external funding initiatives preferred.
Experience supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff, instructors, and cross-functional teams while fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
Experience collaborating with academic leadership, faculty, and administrative departments to advance institutional priorities.
Demonstrated ability to analyze data, assess program performance, and use evidence to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
Exceptional leadership, organizational, strategic planning, project management, and relationship-building skills.
Outstanding written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
Strong business acumen with the ability to balance mission-driven programming, financial sustainability, and operational excellence.
Demonstrated ability to build consensus, foster collaboration, and lead organizational change across departments and with external partners.
Demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning, creative education, community engagement, and creating an inclusive, welcoming, and accessible environment for learners from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional customer service and creating meaningful experiences for students, lifelong learners, community partners, donors, and external stakeholders.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and manage sensitive information with discretion.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn and effectively utilize enterprise software, learning management systems (LMS), customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, budget management systems, and reporting tools.
Ability to work evenings and weekends as programs and events require and travel locally, regionally, and occasionally nationally.

What We Offer At Maine College of Art & Design, you'll join a collaborative community dedicated to educating artists, designers, and creative thinkers to shape a more just, vibrant, and sustainable world through the transformative power of art and design. We offer competitive benefits, a creative and inclusive work environment, and the opportunity to live and work in Portland, Maine—a vibrant city celebrated for its thriving arts, culture, and creative community.

Benefits include healthcare, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending plans, a 403(b) with a 5% match after one year of nonprofit service, generous paid time off, and more.

Recognizing that no candidate will possess all the relevant skills and experience, we encourage you to apply if you align with many qualifications and interests in this role. While there is no deadline for submitting your application, the application period will close when the position is filled.

Ready to Apply? If you’re excited about contributing to Maine College of Art & Design's financial success, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your application detailing your experience and passion for finance and the arts at www.meca.edu/employment.

Please include:

A cover letter that describes how your experience, accomplishments, and qualifications intersect with the listed position description;

A resumé/curriculum vitae;

A list of four references with contact information, including one former supervisor.

Recognizing that no candidate will possess all the relevant skills and experience, we encourage you to apply if you align with many qualifications and interests in this role. While there is no deadline for submitting your application, the application period will close when the position is filled.

Essential Functions & Work Environment:

This position requires the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with applicable federal and state law. Essential functions include providing strategic leadership for the Center for Art & Design Learning; developing and implementing innovative educational programs; supervising professional and instructional staff; preparing and managing operating budgets; cultivating community partnerships and donor relationships; representing the College at internal and external meetings, events, and public engagements; communicating effectively with students, faculty, staff, donors, community partners, and government agencies; operating standard office technology and virtual communication platforms; and exercising sound judgment while managing confidential and sensitive information.

The work environment is primarily an on-campus office setting with frequent interaction across the College and throughout the community. Regular attendance at meetings, educational programs, donor events, public presentations, and community partnerships is required. The position requires prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer use, with occasional lifting and transporting of program materials and event supplies weighing up to 25 pounds. Evening and weekend work, as well as occasional local and regional travel, should be expected to support College programs, partnerships, and special events.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Maine College of Art & Design is committed to fostering a welcoming and respectful environment where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed based on their talents, qualifications, and achievements. We uphold the principles of fairness, merit, and equal opportunity in our academic and professional community.

Maine College of Art & Design complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, ancestry, religion, genetic predisposition, familial status, receipt of a final protection order, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This commitment applies to all aspects of the College’s educational programs, admissions, employment, financial aid, and other institutionally administered programs.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply, and selection decisions are made based on individual merit and institutional needs.

For more information about Maine College of Art & Design, please visit www.meca.edu.