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Director of Residency, Rauschenberg Residency

Captiva, Florida, United States

Location: Captiva, FL*
*The position is based at the Foundation’s Captiva, Florida campus. While we are prioritizing candidates based locally, we are open to considering qualified candidates who can meet the position’s on-site presence requirements.

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt; Open to 1-Year Fixed-Term Contract.
This is a full-time, exempt position. However, we are also open to considering candidates for a one-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension based on the Foundation’s needs.

Reports To: Executive Director
Role Type: Leadership (Manager)

ABOUT THE ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG FOUNDATION
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation (RRF) carries forward the vision of its founder, artist Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008), to inspire social and cultural transformation through the arts. RRF supports and connects artists, scholars, and changemakers whose work echoes Rauschenberg’s bold approach to interdisciplinary creativity. The foundation focuses on three pillars: expanding public access to Rauschenberg’s work, nurturing emerging artists via its residency program, and driving philanthropy that engages art and social impact areas such as education and environmental justice.

The Rauschenberg Residency on Captiva Island serves multidisciplinary artists from around the world. Here, they engage in collaborative projects, community building, and individual exploration that align with the foundation's belief that art can change the world.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Residency Director will champion the mission of the Rauschenberg Residency (RR) and foster a supportive, inclusive environment for artists on Captiva Island’s 20-acre campus. The Director will oversee all aspects of program management, artist relations, and community engagement while collaborating with RRF leadership to achieve RR’s mission of sustaining Rauschenberg’s legacy. Key responsibilities include strategic planning, oversight of all day-to-day operations, program development, evaluation, and direct supervision of residency staff. This is a prominent, forward-facing role within the foundation, requiring a visionary, empathetic leader who thrives in a community-focused, interdisciplinary environment.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Leadership & Strategic Direction

  • Lead the strategic planning, development and implementation of residency programs in alignment with RRF’s mission and vision.
  • Champion a positive residency culture that values inclusion, equity, and respect for diverse artistic practices, establishing protocols for artist invitations, evaluations, and feedback.
  • Develop new programming initiatives, policies and programs that expand RRF’s mission, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and artistic innovation.
  • Refine the artist selection process with the Executive Director, presenting recommendations to the Board of Directors, managing residency schedules, and integrating external jurors into the process.
  • Oversee all residency administration and artist support needs through effectively managing artist communications, contracts, transportation logistics, and orientation processes while delegating tasks as needed to maintain operational efficiency.
  • Own all facets of media and administrative operations of residency program through providing updates to residency-related web content, newsletters, and social media, delegating responsibilities or collaborating with other departments as necessary to achieve program goals

Community Building & Engagement

  • Build partnerships and outreach initiatives that strengthen the residency’s ties to local, national, and international art communities.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with community stakeholders in Captiva and the greater Florida region, ensuring RR is an active contributor to the local cultural ecosystem.
  • Support an inclusive community engagement strategy that enhances residency experiences and enriches the broader Captiva community.

Financial & Operational Oversight

  • Collaborate with the COO to develop the annual operating budget, managing expenditures in line with financial goals.
  • Oversee capital improvement projects, coordinating with the Facilities Manager to ensure buildings and grounds support both artists' needs and environmental sustainability goals.
  • Track and analyze financial performance, reviewing budgets and financial reports to ensure the program remains sustainable and aligned with RRF’s long-term objectives.

Facilities & Safety Management

  • Collaborate with Head of Facilities and Captiva Property Manager on all aspects of property and facility management across the 20-acre campus, working with the internal facilities team to uphold standards for safety, maintenance, and sustainability.
  • Establish, update, and communicate emergency response protocols for staff and artists, coordinating regular training and compliance checks for RRF’s Captiva property.

Talent & Team Development

  • Lead, mentor, and develop the residency team, conducting annual performance reviews and setting goals that align with RR’s strategic vision.
  • Foster an inclusive workplace culture, promoting professional development opportunities for all staff.

Other Position Requirements

  • On-Site Leadership: Lead the residency program through all phases—pre-residency, during the residency, and post-residency—ensuring a smooth, in-person experience for both residents and staff.
  • Travel Requirements: For any non-local candidates, significant travel is required (bi-weekly or weekly) to ensure consistent on-site presence at the Captiva property.
  • Employment Type: This is a full-time, at-will position, which can be either permanent or fixed-term, depending on the candidate’s experience and the Foundation’s needs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, fine arts, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 10 years’ experience in arts or nonprofit management, with at least 5+ years in a leadership role in an artist-centered organization.
  • Proven experience in program management and community engagement, particularly within an arts residency or similar multidisciplinary setting.
  • Demonstrated history of successful budget management and oversight of capital projects.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain community relationships across diverse groups.
  • Talent for team leadership and conflict resolution, with a proactive approach to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for artists and staff.
  • Experienced in custodial oversight, managing the upkeep of studios, common areas, and guest accommodations. Skilled in coordinating repairs and enhancements to keep facilities safe, functional, and welcoming for all users.
  • A creative, collaborative mindset that resonates with Rauschenberg’s philosophy of interdisciplinary art as a vehicle for social change.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively represent RR on national and international platforms.

ADA SPECIFICATIONS

  • While largely sedentary, this position requires the ability to sit, stand, lift up to 20 lbs., as well as speak, and hear, sometimes for extended periods of time.
  • Requires the ability to use a computer and office equipment traditionally found in office Settings.
  • Requires the ability to travel nationally, with periodic overnight trips, on behalf of the Foundation

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, including 100% employer-paid medical coverage for employees and their eligible dependents. We also provide generous employer contributions for dental and vision coverage, life insurance, STD, LTD and exceptional retirement savings options with an industry-leading employer contribution and match. Additionally, the Foundation offers a robust charitable giving matching program and generous time-off policies to support work-life balance.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
As an equal opportunity employer and in our commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive work environment, the Foundation strives to attract a diverse mix of talented people. Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds in arts organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.

DEADLINE TO APPLY
The deadline to submit applications for this position is December 13, 2024.

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