Executive Director

About Us

What started as a small gallery in 1988 started by the passion and love for history and community by its founder has grown into the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives (GRAAMA). GRAAMA's mission is to preserve, share, and celebrate the stories, history, art, & culture of African Americans in Grand Rapids and West Michigan through archives, exhibitions, education, and community engagement-connecting our local legacy & history to the broader American story and inspiring future generations. GRAAMA is in a period of growth, having recently moved to a newer 30,000 square foot facility that will enable to us achieve our vision of being a premier cultural institution where the stories, history, art, and culture of African Americans are experienced, celebrated, and valued by all - connecting generations, inspiring lifelong learning, fostering meaningful dialogue, strengthening communities, and helping shape a more just future. 

About This Role:

As GRAAMA continues to grow and evolve, we are looking to add an Executive Director to lead our team and execution of our strategy. This role will report directly to the Board of Directors and spearhead the operations of the organization including all fiscal stewardship, fund development, , operational efficiencies and facility management, as well as team oversight. In this role, you will:

• First and foremost, align with and champion GRAAMA's mission, and have genuine passion for preserving and elevating African American history, culture, and grassroots community institutions.
• Bring demonstrated experience building trust and credibility within Black communities, along with strong cultural competency in African American history, heritage, and community engagement. Familiarity with Grand Rapids' Black community and history is a plus
• Utilize your bachelor's degree along with 3+ years in a fundraising or operations leadership role to effectively step in and lead the organization in this next phase of growth. Years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Collaborate with the Chief Curator, board of directors, and community partners to put our vision into action and bring to life a new strategic plan that will lead us into the future
• Lead all fundraising efforts - from cultivating donor relationships to securing foundation and corporate support - and identify new revenue opportunities within our new 30,000-square-foot facility
• Own the organization's fiscal health: manage a ~$1M+ annual budget, deliver timely financial reporting to the Board, and develop a long-term sustainable revenue generating business model, effectively allocating resources to ensure exceptional programming and events that align with strategic priorities
• Equip and empower the Board as ambassadors for GRAAMA, providing the tools and insight they need to advocate for our growth
• Oversee and manage our dedicated staff of 6, day-to-day operations, and facility management as GRAAMA scales into its next chapter

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to make your mark on and help shape an important cultural institution in West Michigan
• Growth potential
• A committed, supportive, and highly engaged board of directors and team
• Competitive compensation
• Flexible hybrid work arrangement
• Relocation support for candidates outside the Grand Rapids area
• Cell phone stipend

This is an exciting time to join a growing grassroots organization that has a deep connection within the community and bring it to the next level! If you're currently in a fund development or operations leadership role and looking for that next step in your career, we'd love to talk to you!

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, hairstyles, or any other characteristic to join us in our mission.