Director of External Affairs

ABOUT LA PLAZA

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is a community hub where people gather to celebrate Latinx culture through transformative exhibitions, music, dance, culinary arts, and multigenerational art-making and storytelling experiences.

Housed in two historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles, LA Plaza is adjacent to Olvera Street at El Pueblo de Los Angeles. It includes a museum, a 30,000-square-foot outdoor space with a performance stage, an edible garden, and LA Cocina de Gloria Molina, a teaching kitchen and flexible event space that spotlights the history, culture, and influence of Mexican and Mexican American cuisine.

Established in 2011, LA Plaza is a Los Angeles County cultural institution and a Smithsonian affiliate museum. More information is available at www.lapca.org

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director of External Affairs is responsible for leading comprehensive marketing, communications, and development initiatives. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of External Affairs will play a pivotal role in elevating the museum's public profile, fostering strong community relationships, and securing critical resources to advance our mission. This leadership position is responsible for developing and executing integrated strategies that enhance LA Plaza's brand recognition, drive audience engagement, and significantly contribute to our philanthropic goals. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a proven track record in non-profit external affairs, possessing exceptional communication, interpersonal, and fundraising skills.

Requirements

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute comprehensive marketing, communications, and development strategic plans aligned with organizational goals
• Lead strategic planning initiatives with CEO and Board of Directors

Marketing & Communications

• Design and implement integrated marketing campaigns across digital and traditional channels
• Oversee public relations strategy, including media relations
• Direct brand management, ensuring consistent messaging and visual identity
• Oversee production of marketing materials, annual reports, newsletters, and multimedia content

Development & Fundraising

• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategy across diversified revenue streams
• Support major gift cultivation, managing portfolio of individual donors and foundations
• Oversee grant writing processes and donor stewardship practices
• Plan and execute fundraising events and donor/sponsor engagement activities

Community Engagement

• Cultivate strategic partnerships with cultural institutions and community stakeholders
• Serve as primary spokesperson at conferences, events, and media appearances
• Build relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and civic leaders

Team Leadership

• Manage a team of six
• Provide mentorship and performance management for direct reports

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Education & Experience

We are seeking candidates with an educational background, certification, or equivalent practical experience in Marketing, Communications, Development or related field

We value a strong understanding and progressive leadership experience in external affairs demonstrated through formal learning or hands-on application

• Proven track record managing annual fundraising goals of $500K+ in non-profit/cultural settings
• Experience with brand management and integrated marketing campaigns

Professional Competencies

• Strategic thinking with ability to translate vision into actionable initiatives
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking abilities
• Advanced project management skills managing multiple complex initiatives

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management platforms
• Experience with CRM/donor database systems – Network for Good, Classy
• Awareness of diverse fundraising strategies and tools

Cultural Competency

• Deep knowledge of Latinx history, culture, and contemporary issues
• Cultural competency working with diverse, multilingual, multigenerational audiences
• Bilingual fluency in Spanish and English desired
• Understanding of cultural nuances in marketing and donor development
• Knowledge of Los Angeles cultural landscape and philanthropic community preferred

Benefits

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

·       Full Time, Exempt

·       Hybrid schedule that includes office work at LA Plaza in downtown Los Angeles, with occasional evening and weekend activity.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE

·       Salary $102,000 per year

·       $50.00 monthly cell phone/internet stipend 

·       Free parking

·       Individual health, dental, and vision care

·       Non-match 401K

·       Direct Deposit of paycheck

·       Employee discount in LA Tienda

·       Optional AFLAC coverage

·       90-day introductory period

·       Mileage reimbursement

·       Facility rental fee waived for one (1) personal event per year.

·       Paid holidays (13), five mental health days annually, plus two-weeks paid time off the last week of December and first week of January annually.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

·       Extensive interaction with the public of all ages.

·       Ability to perform the physical requirements of the job, including frequent sitting standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, climbing stairs, lifting, pulling, and carrying up to 30 pounds. 

·       LA Plaza will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities of the position.