Careers

Position Summary:
ACC is seeking an Assistant Director, Programs and Alumni Engagement to manage our Programs team that includes grant-making and alumni engagement.    

The Assistant Director, Programs and Alumni Engagement will be a key leader in strategic program development and implementation, grants administration, assessment, and alumni activation and engagement. The Assistant Director will lead the New York Program team and partner with the Asia teams in developing a portfolio of grants, alumni engagement initiatives, and public programs that align with ACC’s vision, mission, and goals. They will represent ACC at conferences and symposia, within the arts field, and before organizational supporters.

The Assistant Director, Programs and Alumni Engagement will contribute to ACC’s strategic planning, oversee its integration with long-term programmatic vision, and manage implementation of the plan through ACC programs. They will oversee and facilitate the implementation of programmatic vision and strategies across all ACC offices, and manage the NY Programs department staff, currently consisting of three FT direct reports. They will be responsible for directing impact assessment and developing and writing reports and briefs as needed to ensure that the Board of Trustees is informed about ACC’s programs.
This role will require some travel, including occasional domestic trips and up to one international trip a year,  as well as periodic evening and weekend work to attend grantee and alumni programming, cultivation events, and field convenings.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Program Strategy and Development

• Direct, develop, and implement organization-wide and region-specific program priorities and strategies, maintaining regular attendance at events and conferences, and tracking developments related to ACC’s activity, including focused research.
• Adapt, manage, and carry out programs to ensure that the grantmaking model is strategic, impactful, and financially viable. Hold responsibility for overall program design and evaluation of program impact, including setting guidelines and overseeing delivery and consistency of program services in a timely fashion.
• Develop the department annual budget, which includes grantmaking and programmatic activities, in partnership with the Executive Director and the Director of Finance and Operations.

Program Department Management and Implementation

• Oversee the ACC grant-making cycle in collaboration with ACC Asia offices and the NY-based Program Officer, Grants Administrator, and Grantee and Alumni Relations Officer including but not limited to:
  • Overseeing the application review process, including ensuring that applicant questions are answered, reading and evaluating applications for eligibility and alignment with program priorities, and interviewing short-listed applicants from both NY and affiliate offices’ grant application selection processes.
  • Overseeing policies and procedures for logistical services to grantees such as J-1 visa applications and compliance.
• Manage the Grantee and Alumni Relations Officer and oversee alumni, grantee, and stakeholder convenings and other special projects. Organize public programs to raise ACC’s visibility in the arts and philanthropic space and foster learning and networking opportunities for ACC’s alumni and prospective applicants.
  • Managing the delivery of program services for fellowships as a hallmark of ACC’s program, including coordination with Asia staff and providing programming and networking guidance to fellows with the Grantee and Alumni Relations Officer.
• Maintain responsibility for the overall program budget and its components to ensure budgetary and programmatic compliance.
  • Oversee global alignment of program budgets for the NY office. This includes but is not limited to coordinating the allocation of restricted donor funds in collaboration with the Director of Finance and Operations.
  • Manage and monitor the NY office’s programmatic budget as well as grant-related budget allocations in collaboration with the Director of Finance and Operations.
• Supervise overall grants management operations, which includes but is not limited to the oversight of ACC’s grants management system and grant administration procedures and policies.
• Develop and maintain an international network of ACC alumni and cultural specialists to advise ACC and grantees during their grant activities periods.

Other Areas of Impact

• Partner with Executive Director and advancement staff on fundraising efforts, including providing support for grant proposals, attending donor meetings, and communicating programmatic impact.
• Draft written materials about ACC’s programs for internal and external communications.
• Develop and maintain relationships with leaders in philanthropy, the arts, and cultural organizations in service of programmatic goals.
• Represent ACC at conferences and other public forums to advance the organization’s programmatic goals as required.
• Lead, implement, and support special projects as assigned by the Executive Director.

Position Qualifications
Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal abilities with demonstrated cultural competency and diplomatic capabilities.
• Ability to lead and collaborate across lines of national, cultural, generational, and other social differences.
• Proven track record of building and strengthening networks with individuals, partner organizations, and collaborators.
• Relationship-oriented with the ability to support the professional development of artists and strengthen relationships with funding partners.
• Proficiency in analyzing and framing complex issues simply and clearly.
• Ability to develop program ideas and strategies and to communicate conceptual frameworks effectively to diverse constituents, from grant seekers to Trustees.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills that can engage a wide range of audiences.
• Familiarity with one or more artistic disciplines strongly preferred.
• Seasoned multitasker, detail-oriented, and deadline-oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously, and a team player where collaboration is required.
• Demonstrated experience as a strategic thinker with implementation capability, especially following through an entire life cycle of a project.
• A leader and a facilitator of collaborative activities with colleagues, grantees, and alumni.
• Partner with the Executive Director in enhancing the organizational impact of ACC’s cultural exchange work.

Education and Experience 

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience required. Relevant experience could include working in philanthropy with a focus on the arts and/or cultural exchange or management of programs or projects in the creative or cultural realm. Experience working in a grant-making organization is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of staff supervision experience is required. The Associate Director, Programs and Alumni Engagement supervises three staff members and may also supervise interns, fellows, and/or consultants.
• Advanced degree in Humanities, Arts Management, or another relevant field is preferred but not required.
• Experience working with individuals, issues, and/or organizations in Asia is preferred but not required.

Application Process
The Asian Cultural Council is an equal opportunity employer and invites applications from candidates regardless of race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or religion. The salary range for this position is $95,000 - $100,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience, and comes with a very generous benefits package. In addition to  robust health, dental and vision plans, ACC offers an outstanding retirement plan.      

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Jennifer Krauss at Jen@Jenniferkrauss.com.

Position Summary
The Grantee and Alumni Relations Officer is responsible for the management and implementation of projects and initiatives that contribute to achieving ACC’s goals that are centered around ACC’s grantees and alumni with the deep belief that ACC’s engagement with our grantees extend beyond their grant activities period. Working within the Programs Department, the Officer develops a program of ACC grantees and alumni engagement initiatives and programs that are in service to ACC’s mission and vision. The Grantee and Alumni Relations Officer ensures that every programmatic effort maintains the highest level of quality, integrity, and impact. Reporting to the Assistant Director, Programs and Alumni Engagement, the Grantee and Alumni Relations Officer works to advance ACC’s mission and augment its robust network in the philanthropic and arts and culture fields. They are required to attend and represent ACC at conferences, symposiums, networking, and other external events in the field as required. This role will require some travel, as well as periodic evening and weekend work to attend grantee and alumni programming, cultivation events, and field convenings.
    

Position Role and Responsibilities 

Grantees and Fellows Relations     

• Establish, implement, manage, and assess grantee initiatives and programs.
• Help to assess and implement the annual Grant Cycle and evaluation process as a part of the Programs Department with future grantees in mind.  
• Collaborate with Asia and NY staff to provide program services to New York Fellows and Individual Fellows while they are in the U.S. and coordinate support for those who are traveling to Asia from the U.S. This includes pre-travel call to grantees and regular meetings with New York Fellows who are in the U.S.
• Responsible for the delivery of program services for fellowships that are the hallmark of ACC’s program and provide programming and guidance to grantees to meet their grant period goals.

Alumni Relations    

• Maintain and develop a global network of ACC alumni to engage them at a deep level, including researching and updating alumni contact information, staying abreast of alumni activities, etc. 
• Establish, implement, manage, and evaluate alumni initiatives and engagement, including an alumni portal that will launch in late 2025.
• Develop and manage opportunities and involvement for ACC’s alumni that will contribute to ACC fundraising initiatives, including but not limited to donations of artwork for ACC’s auctions and participation in ACC’s gala and fundraising or public events.
• Develop and create opportunities for alumni to become involved in and contribute to ACC’s outreach and communications efforts to build and strengthen ACC’s global alumni network.
• Organize alumni gatherings and networking opportunities in the US and Asia.
• Respond to alumni requests for professional assistance as appropriate.
• Cultivate alumni institutional and organizational relationships.     

Grantee and Alumni Relations     

• Collaborate with Executive Director and ACC staff to brainstorm, initiate and implement or coordinate a program that will support and engage ACC grantees and fellows and alumni body.  
• Contribute to writing and messaging for all external communications with a particular focus on grantee and alumni storytelling.
• Contribute to public programs that highlight ACC alumni.
• Ideate and organize grantee and alumni convenings and other special projects centered around and serving grantees and alumni.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Executive Director or Assistant Director, Programs and Alumni Engagement
• Collaborate with other ACC departments in our efforts to increase the visibility of ACC and to promote our global alumni network and programs, especially grantee/alumni activities.
• Occasional evenings and weekends required for directly relevant activities

Position Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in the Humanities. 
• 3-5 years of relevant experience working with individuals and organizations in the arts and cultural field or with international organizations is preferred.
• Experience within a foundation or nonprofit organization preferred.
• Proven experience working at or organizing membership centered programs a plus.

Skills and Abilities

• High degree of cultural competency, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a large range of people from diverse backgrounds.
• Exceptional written, research, verbal, analytical, and organizational skills. Ability to write proposals, articles, and other materials for a variety of purposes required. 
• Knowledge and/or interest of the arts of Asia and the U.S. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects, be flexible and detail-oriented, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Curiosity and ability to develop and sustain effective partnerships and relevant networks.

Application Process
The Asian Cultural Council is an equal opportunity employer and invites applications from candidates regardless of race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or religion. The salary range for this position is $75,000-$80,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience and comes with a very generous benefits package. In addition to  robust health, dental and vision plans, ACC offers an outstanding retirement plan.  

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Jennifer Krauss at Jen@Jenniferkrauss.com.