Executive Director

Vision Maker Media
Lincoln , NE

Application Deadline: Sunday, Dec 22, 2019

Description

For Best Consideration Apply By December 22, 2019.

Open Until Filled.

 

The Executive Director of Vision Maker Media (VMM), leads this national nonprofit organization based in Lincoln, Nebraska, that is administratively affiliated with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Founded in 1976, VMM’s primary purpose is to deliver high quality broadcast content about American Indians and Alaska Natives to Public Broadcasting. We work with independent producers and stations across the country to fund, produce, distribute and market 3 to 10 programs annually. We are also involved in the professional development of filmmakers through workshops and regular communications, as well as youth media and film festival tour. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, and administratively to the General Manager of Nebraska Educational Telecommunications. Criminal history background check conducted. Excellent benefits including staff/dependent scholarship program.

 

Vision Maker Media works with Native producers to develop, produce and distribute educational telecommunications programs for all media including public television and public radio. Their goal is to serve Native producers and Indian country in partnership with public television and radio.

Vision Maker Media seeks a dynamic and innovative Executive Director to provide vision, leadership and overall strategic direction as the organization enters its pivotal next phase in the rapidly changing media landscape. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Vision Maker Media, and will work closely with staff and board members to ensure the organizations financial stability and growth; forge relationships with key partners and allies; determine powerful fundraising and marketing campaigns; and provide opportunities and direction to Native media makers.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate leader to shape the future of Indigenous media, engage in work that will promote healing and public understanding for Native and non-Native communities, and oversee a strong and respected team eager to enhance the organization mission through positive leadership.

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall direction and administration of services, programs, fund raising, productions and financial activities of Vision Maker Media, in accordance with policies set by the board of directors. The Director is responsible on a daily basis for a professional staff and an office staff.

 

For more detail on some of the Executive Director’s duties and responsibilities, please visit the posting at http://liv.jobs/v0mso.

 

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Ideal candidates for the Executive Director will be strategic thinkers, personally engaging, and team oriented leaders who are deeply committed to Indigenous culture, issues and history and energized by the opportunity to engage Native media makers to share stories that will promote a more united and understanding world. Candidates will bring demonstrated organizational leadership and management skills, exceptional external relations skills, enthusiasm for making a major impact on Native and non-Native communities, and a deep belief in the power of storytelling.

The Executive Director should demonstrate the following competencies and characteristics:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of leadership and management principles as they relate to nonprofit organizations.
  • Knowledge of all applicable federal, state and university rules and legislation including employment, benefits, risk management, charities, and taxation.
  • Knowledge of current challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of the organization.
  • Knowledge of human resources management.
  • Knowledge of financial management.
  • Knowledge of project management.

Problem Solving/Decision Making:

The Executive Director should demonstrate competence in some or all of the following:

  • Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure that own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
  • Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
  • Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
  • Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities.
  • Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
  • Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.
  • Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
  • Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities
  • Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
  • Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
  • Think Strategically: Assesses options and actions based on trends and conditions in the environment, and the vision and values of the organization.

Interactions:

  • Executive Director maintains positive relations with NET and the University of Nebraska as part of our administrative and office agreements.
  • Along with the Chair of the Board of Directors, represents VMM in meetings and serve as spokesperson.
  • Works with media producers, outside businesses, broadcasters, distributors and other customers to negotiate agreements.
  • Represent the programs and point of view of the organization to Public Broadcasting, agencies, organizations, Native American tribes and organizations, and the general public.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with contributors.

 

Summary of Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus five (5) years progressive management experience and experience working in Native American areas/organizations. Knowledge of Native American tribes and issues, as well as public broadcasting and evolving use of new media. Word processing, financial management, e-mail, internet, broadcasting industry standards.

Summary of Preferred Qualifications:

Ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree in related field. Demonstrated ability to make high level of decisions, strategic planning, and strong senior leadership

Required Education: Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Education: Master’s degree

Required Relevant Experience:

More than 5 years of progressive management experience and experience working in Indian Country.

Criminal History Background Check Required: Yes

 

Vision Maker Media is a national nonprofit organization based in Lincoln, Nebraska, that is administratively affiliated with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Founded in 1976, VMM’s primary purpose is to deliver high quality broadcast content about American Indians and Alaska Natives to Public Broadcasting. We work with independent producers and stations across the country to fund, produce, distribute and market 3 to 10 programs annually. We are also involved in the professional development of filmmakers through workshops and regular communications, as well as youth media and film festival tour. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, and administratively to the General Manager of Nebraska Educational Telecommunications.

Excellent benefits including staff/dependent scholarship program.

HOW TO APPLY:

Vision Maker Media is being assisted in this search by Livingston Associates. Inquiries are welcome with Livingston Associates.  For consideration, please visit the job posting and apply online at http://liv.jobs/v0mso.

Apply by December 22.

EO/AA Employer

 

Search Assistance by Livingston Associates

Inquiries are welcome with Livingston Associates

http://livingstonassociates.net/

http://liv.jobs/v0mso

 

Vision Maker Media empowers and engages Native people to share stories.

https://www.visionmakermedia.org

 

We envision a world changed and healed by understanding Native stories and the public conversations they generate. We work with Native producers to develop, produce and distribute programs for all media. VMM supports training to increase the number of American Indians and Alaska Natives producing quality public broadcasting programs. A key strategy for this work is the development of strong partnerships with tribal nations, Indian organizations and Native communities. Reaching the general public and the global market is the ultimate goal for the dissemination of Native produced media that shares Native perspectives with the world.

In a rapidly changing media landscape, we are presented with challenges and opportunities to expand audiences, distribution platforms and support filmmakers who want to challenge the status quo of quality, innovation and collaboration. We are also concerned with encouraging the next generation of filmmakers.

Vision Maker Media is keenly aware that our success is dependent upon attracting and keeping a staff that is dedicated to our work, paid fairly and given a healthy and supportive work environment with opportunities to grow.

PBS stations, strands and CPB initiatives drive our content and we will continue our partnerships to meet the needs of local audiences. Recently, VMM films have gained stronger attention worldwide through our partnerships with Indigenous media companies across the globe.

With a Native American population of 5 million people nationally, and lower than average rates of high school and college graduates, we are compelled to support the next generation of filmmakers. At the same time, we want our currently funded producers to have opportunities to continue to develop their professional skills and create a network of filmmakers and public broadcasting stations.

 

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees’ differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse populations we serve. The university fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential. As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See: http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.

For additional information about this position, please contact: