“The Big Read” Program Manager

Position Overview

Organization: Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association (or VAALA)

Position Title: Program Manager

Employment Type: Temporary, Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Compensation: $20-25 per hour depending on experience

Work Schedule: VAALA expects this position to have flexibility in setting a weekly schedule (including evenings and weekends). Position will work approximately 15-20 hours per week, with possibly more required hours for any special events.

Reports to: Executive Director and Managing Director 

Location: Remote, but must be available and onsite as needed for certain in-person events (to be scheduled ahead of time)

 

The Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association (VAALA) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect and enrich communities through Vietnamese arts and culture. VAALA has hosted many events since its inception in 1991 and has collaborated with many diverse community partners to organize culture events such as arts exhibitions, multimedia art workshops, film screenings, film festivals, plays, music recitals, book signings, and more. 

 

VAALA is seeking a dynamic leader and skilled program leader to carry out its mission and execute the components of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read grant. The NEA Big Read programming will take place between October 2021-May 2022 and revolve around the themes and stories coming from Thi Bui’s award-winning graphic memoir, The Best We Could Do. VAALA will proactively engage with and draw on the perspectives presented in Bui’s book to host a series of events, including a kickoff film screening/author talkback, book club discussions, an open mic show, art workshops, and National Listening Week. The Big Read Program Manager will work closely with VAALA’s Managing Director and staff to plan, implement, market, and evaluate the program components specified in the grant. The ideal candidate will have arts or nonprofit experience, excellent communication skills, is passionate about results, and be able to thrive in a flexible, and fast-paced environment.

 

This person plays a critical role in helping VAALA achieve its plans for growth in alignment with its mission, vision, and values. The Program Manager must be passionate about nonprofit programming and be able to communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders. The ideal candidate is passionate about the arts and arts advocacy within the AAPI community and is an excellent storyteller.

 

Responsibilities

1. Program Strategy Development 

• Work with the VAALA staff and Board of Directors to establish NEA Big Read objectives and goals.
• Ensure VAALA’s mission, values, and vision are followed at all times.
• Contribute to overall program strategy and content development including event design and curation, artist booking, community partnership development
• Build logic models for the program(s)

 

2. Program Implementation 

• Lead execution and delivery of NEA Big Read events specified in the grant (kickoff, book discussions, open mic show, Gallery Beyond Walls art workshops and exhibition, and National Listening week) in a timely manner that is dynamic, of the highest quality, and  broadly reflective of the diverse Orange County community that meets/exceed engagement goals of VAALA
• Conduct ongoing recording and research of best practices in the program and the field to source the best in future VAALA programming 
• Manage program budget, tailoring expenses as needed in collaboration with the Managing Director
• Train and supervise volunteers as needed for events 
• Act as program liaison and collaborator with vendors, teaching artists, and staff
• Keep the Managing director informed of work progress and potential problems as well as innovative solutions to address problems

 

3. Partnership Outreach and Relationship Management

• Identify and develop relationships with key influencers and community partnerships
• Act as program liaison and collaborator for VAALA, seeking, managing, and supporting opportunities for engagement and collaborations across VAALA programs and with core partners for the grant

 

4. Marketing and Fundraising

• Work with Communications Specialist to create communications and messaging to partners and audiences that fit VAALA’s/NEA’s brand and program objectives
• Collaborate with the VAALA Board and Executive Director to strategize for fundraising 
• Help to fundraise as needed

 

5. Data, Analytics, and Evaluation

• Monitor and present KPIs relevant to online engagement analytics
• Leverage key findings and metrics to further optimize content and target key audiences
• Establish measures of success to ensure engagement and objectives are met.

 

Requirements

 

• At least one year of nonprofit/arts programming experience 
• Proficient in cultivating meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, and community members
• Experience in the arts/nonprofit sector preferred
• Outstanding organization skills and attention to detail
• Self-starter with an ability to independently manage multiple projects
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of the  community
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, and social media
• Fluency in Vietnamese preferred but not required

 

Working Conditions

 

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those the employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; climb stairs; sit; use hands-to-finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear, sit or stand at a computer for long periods of time. Employee is also regularly required to lift up to 40 lbs. 

 

The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.

 

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee will regularly work remotely and have access to a workspace to perform standard office work. Occasionally, the employee will attend Company programs and events in order to properly represent VAALA, including VFF in October 2021. 

 

The above statements describe the general nature and level of the work being performed for this position, and are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. VAALA’s management team reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs.

 

TO APPLY: Email resume and cover letter (as pdf documents only) by September 24, 2021 to: christinetran@vaala.org.  No phone calls, please.

 

About VAALA

VAALA is a nonprofit in Orange County, CA with over 25 years of experience connecting and enriching communities through Vietnamese art and culture. VAALA was founded in 1991 by a group of Vietnamese American journalists, artists, and friends to fill a void and provide a space for artists to express themselves as a newly resettled immigrant community. The original mission of VAALA was to support Southeast artists, with an emphasis on Vietnamese literature and visual arts. VAALA is a community-based non-profit organization historically run entirely by volunteers. Over the years, VAALA has collaborated with diverse community partners to organize numerous cultural events to connect and enrich communities. These events have included art exhibitions, book signings, music recitals, plays, and annual events such as the Viet Film Fest and the Children’s Moon Festival Art Contest.