Now Hiring: Executive Director

Job Title: Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Directors

Organization: Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Association (VAALA)

Position Type: Full-time

Compensation: Salary starting at $75,000 (commensurate with experience)

Position Overview:
Since 1991, the Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Association (VAALA) has been the premier organization in Orange County that celebrates the art, films, and literature of the Vietnamese and Vietnamese diaspora. We are looking for a dynamic and highly skilled Executive Director to help in continuing this mission and steer us into the next phase of building upwards and onwards. This seasoned leader will not only understand our community’s history and politics and current trends in the arts, but also, lead key initiatives in fundraising, program management, community engagement, and organizational administration. Reporting to the Board, the Executive Director will oversee the strategic and operational efficiencies of our programs and staff. The successful candidate should also be highly effective in a leadership role that requires clear communication skills and decisiveness. The Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations, fiscal management, and program execution to ensure the successful fulfillment of VAALA’s mission. An established relationship with the local Vietnamese American community is a plus.

Core Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership and Strategy

Provide leadership and vision in alignment with VAALA’s mission, working closely with the Board of Directors to develop and implement strategic goals
Participate in Board meetings and provide regular updates on organizational performance, programs, and finances
Collaborate with Board committees (e.g., fundraising, finance) to support the development and execution of key initiatives

Finance & Fund Development

Oversee the financial health of VAALA, including managing budgets and financial reports
Ensure compliance with nonprofit financial regulations and best practices
Prepare financial reports and annual budgets including fundraising strategies
Oversee annual fundraising strategies including grants management, donor cultivation and relationships and organizational fundraising capacity

Program Management

Oversee the planning and implementation of VAALA’s key cultural events and programs, including Viet Book Fest, Viet Film Fest, multi-art exhibitions, and Gallery Beyond Walls programs
Work with the team to ensure high-quality delivery of events and exhibitions, maintaining VAALA’s reputation for excellence in Vietnamese/diasporic arts and culture
Manage the annual calendar of events and programs

Personnel and Volunteer and Staff Management

Work with HR consultants to address personnel issues and training and development
Oversee volunteer recruitment and management to ensure VAALA operations are appropriately staffed, especially for cultural events and gallery exhibitions
Train and support staff members and volunteers in their roles
Coordinate with independent contractors (e.g., CPA, publicist, grant writers) to ensure smooth operations
Provide evaluations to staff and volunteers

Communications and Public Relations

Serve as the primary spokesperson for the organization, including handling media relations and public communications
Serve as the primary liaison between VAALA and external stakeholders, including city officials, community partners, and the public
Support the preparation of marketing materials, event promotions, and communications in collaboration with the Communications Manager
Respond to public inquiries and represent VAALA at public events and meetings to build community relations and increase visibility

Additional Responsibilities
Within the first year, the Executive Director is tasked with additional responsibilities, related to training and other activities. The Board of Directors will provide support in these areas as part of the onboarding process. This includes taking part in:

An orientation discussing VAALA history and existing programs
A listening tour of key stakeholders (donors, staff, board members, volunteers, community partners)
Individual meetings with various members and volunteers of the organization as well as focus groups
Training and development programs based on skills need
An assessment of current existing programs and internal audit of infrastructure
An introduction to funders and partners
Internal culture building and staff management

Required Skills and Qualifications

Proven experience in nonprofit management, preferably in arts and culture organizations.
Strong understanding of Vietnamese and Vietnamese American arts and culture, with a commitment to advancing VAALA’s mission
High level of cultural competency, with a deep understanding of Vietnamese American community dynamics
Demonstrated experience in financial management, including budgeting, reporting, and grant management
Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders
Experience in fundraising, donor relations, and grant writing is highly desirable
Ability to manage multiple priorities and work both independently and collaboratively with a team
Enthusiasm for helping to grow and build capacity for a small arts organization with a longstanding community history
A local resident in the Southern California area

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

Fluency in the Vietnamese language
A Master’s degree in liberal arts and/or business management

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter and two professional references to jobs@vaala.org. Please include “Executive Director Application” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

About the Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Association (VAALA) VAALA is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1991 by a group of Vietnamese American journalists, artists, and friends to fill a void in the community and provide a space for newly resettled immigrant artists to express themselves. VAALA’s mission is to connect and enrich communities through Vietnamese art and culture. Historically run entirely by volunteers, VAALA has collaborated with diverse community partners to organize numerous cultural and artistic events. VAALA’s four core programs include the annual Viet Film Fest and Viet Book Fest, the Gallery Beyond Walls program featuring art exhibitions, and free art and film workshops for youth, such as Youth in Motion: A Filmmaking Workshop for Emerging Filmmakers.