About LAND studio
We believe in the power of art and public space to transform and unite.
LAND studio (“LAND”) is a nonprofit organization that defines and redefines public spaces through placemaking and art curation. For more than 30 years, LAND has delivered small and large projects with excellence in neighborhoods across the Cleveland region by working behind the scenes to bring public projects to life through murals, parks, plazas, streetscapes and more. LAND is not a construction firm or an art installer – it is the connector, convener, organizer and problem-solver that enables projects that deliver impact and value to neighborhoods across the region to flourish.
LAND’s team is composed of planners, designers, fundraisers, project managers, financial professionals and visionaries who provide expert consultation, guidance and support to ensure good ideas have the support they need to move forward. LAND plays an integral role in projects initiated by community organizations, resident groups and partners. Their approach sets them apart: through community engagement, LAND listens to what residents, leaders and visitors have to say so that projects result in vibrant public spaces that are welcoming to everyone.
What LAND studio offers. LAND’s services and offerings are diverse and span strategy, coordination, and implementation-with collaboration and engagement built into every step. Whether they are leading a project or supporting an existing team, LAND adapts its role to fit the needs of the work. Below, please find more information on the programs and services LAND provides:
PLACEMAKING STRATEGY: LAND helps shape public spaces-parks, plazas, green infrastructure and streetscapes-that reflect community identity and serve everyday needs. Their role includes visioning, early planning and working closely with design and civic partners.
PUBLIC ART CONSULTING: Well-designed public spaces and art create a sense of place and revitalize neighborhoods by complementing existing assets, contributing to the community aesthetic and inspiring stakeholders to invest in our city. LAND guides the integration of public art into civic spaces-managing artist selection, creative direction and coordination between stakeholders to ensure that artworks are grounded in place and process.
PROJECT SERVICES LAND support projects from concept through completion with services including:
- Project Management
- Fundraising Strategy
- Creative Services
- Community Engagement
CURRENT AND EXISTING PROJECTS
IRISHTOWN BEND PARK
Building a waterfront destination. Building community. Building a legacy.
Irishtown Bend Park represents a generational opportunity to create a 25-acre green space that connects downtown and Cleveland neighborhoods to the Cuyahoga River, Lake Erie, and beyond. The plans for Irishtown Bend Park elevate resident empowerment, collaboration, and equity considerations. The voice and vision of our community have shaped every aspect of the plans for this Park, which will bring together people, nature, industry, and history in an inclusive and accessible space. Partners from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors are working together to preserve riverfront land, enhance community health and connections, and establish the missing link between the 101-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and Lake Erie. [PLACEHOLDER for Description of LAND’s role in this project.]
ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES.
Are there a set of internal organizational values housed somewhere or should we use something similar to the following?
LAND seeks to better reflect Cleveland’s neighborhoods in its work by:
- Fostering authentic community engagement and trust by inviting meaningful participation in the development and stewardship of public spaces,
- Creating and maintaining opportunities for artists and designers,
- Building a diverse staff, board, and network of collaborators, and
- Establishing an organizational culture of inclusion through nurturing an environment where everyone is valued.
Headquartered in Cleveland, OH, LAND studio has a $[XM] operating budget, 16 full-time employees and a 25 member Board of Directors.
For more information on LAND studio and current and upcoming projects and programs, please visit its website: www.land-studio.org.
The Opportunity
Supported by a strong foundation, deeply committed team and an important mission, LAND remains focused on creating vibrant public spaces and bringing meaningful art to communities across Cleveland. The next Executive Director has the unique opportunity to build off of thirty years of impactful work and continue to advance LAND’s work across the region.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the next Executive Director (“ED”) will guide the organization through its next stage of development and impact. In partnership with the Board and staff, the ED will advance the development of a new strategic plan; set the pace and direction for a portfolio of dynamic and diverse projects and programs; drive revenue growth, client and funder satisfaction; spearhead effective civic partnerships and serve as a highly visible spokesperson for the organization.
The ED is responsible for shaping the future which includes the development of strategies to increase LAND’s visibility and awareness; refining and expanding its value proposition; promoting offerings, programs and initiatives; diversifying revenue streams; and fostering the growth of its fee-for-service offerings.
Operationally, the ED will refine and implement policies, programs and procedures in a manner that is fiscally responsible and consistent with the organization's values and strategic goals as it continues to grow and evolve. Providing mentorship for a talented and passionate staff and engaging and leveraging their exceptional skills and talents, with an emphasis on professional development, is another essential element of this role.
Key metrics for success in this role include:
- Leading the successful development and implementation of a new strategic plan while empowering staff to take ownership in their respective areas of expertise.
- Proactively reframing the narrative of how LAND studio works and how it brings value to communities it serves; Ensuring clear, consistent articulation of LAND's value proposition across existing and new constituent groups.
- Improving operational structure, discipline and accountability. Building capacity in areas that need additional support and/or autonomy.
- Increasing LAND’s visibility in the fields of placemaking, public art, community development and design.
- Centering diversity, equity and inclusion in LAND's work. Growing a broader and more inclusive LAND movement.
- Building capacity and providing resources for coordinating programs, local leaders and other partners.
- Increasing and diversifying sustainable funding in order to extend organizational impact.
- Partnering effectively with the Board of Directors and staff to deepen engagement with stakeholders through programming, advocacy, thought leadership and networking opportunities.
Key responsibilities of the Executive Director include the following:
Strategy & Vision
- Lead the development of long and short-range strategies in collaboration with board, staff and community partners.
- Partner with the board and staff to drive vision and build consensus around organizational priorities.
- Proactively identify, embrace and integrate disruptive trends that advance LAND's vision and mission and create new opportunities for impact.
- Work with the communications team to ensure strong, clear, consistent and coherent branding, messaging and communications; leverage new technologies and social networks to elevate and enhance LAND's brand and visibility.
- Identify areas of future business opportunity in partnership with Project Directors and Board of Directors,
- Nurture relationships with existing clients and cultivate new connections and relationships with individuals and organizations that represent future opportunities.
- Work with Project Directors to develop strategy for securing (pitching) new business and on-boarding new clients/partners.
- Maintain a thorough understanding of LAND’s ecosystem, including its network of partner organizations, funders, government agencies, elected officials, clients, communities and other individuals/organizations of influence.
- Identify, establish and maintain strategic partnerships that advance the mission and ensure financial sustainability.
Ambassadorship & Fundraising
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for LAND, communicating its vision, mission and impact with passion and authenticity to internal and external constituents;
- Position LAND as a leader in the placemaking field by growing its reputation locally, regionally, and nationally.
- Represent LAND on boards, commission and committees to build recognition, awareness, and knowledge of issues/opportunities across the community, positioning LAND to be in “the right place at the right time”; Be present and visible at community programs and events of importance to civic community/decision- makers.
- Steward relationships with partners and peer organizations while continuing to collaborate closely with existing constituencies to expand the reach and impact of the organization;
- Establish and cultivate relationships with local and regional elected officials.
- Guide LAND’s advocacy and lobbying activities for specific projects, with support from external consultant(s).
- Work with development staff and board leadership to develop annual plans and strategies to achieve fundraising goals, for both individual projects and overall organizational needs.
- Cultivate new sources of revenue by expanding LAND’s network; grow the existing funding and client base; Diversify revenue streams to ensure continued sustainability; ensure successful fundraising from individuals, foundations, corporations and government; Ensure continued development and understanding of public sector funding sources and their related policies.
Organizational Leadership
- Lead a cohesive and effective leadership team and staff while providing opportunities for professional development; foster an environment of curiosity, continuous improvement, learning, efficiency, accountability and effectiveness.
- Foster a collaborative, welcoming, and motivational workplace environment; Encourage and promote entrepreneurial thinking among staff, facilitating ownership and participation in setting and achieving LAND's goals.
- Ensure that LAND has the systems, procedures, and training needed to keep pace with growing volume of projects and clients.
- Provide clear, decisive, forward-thinking leadership around all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; Promote use of data to better tailor project, program, outreach and engagement.
- Lead board recruitment, on-boarding, and culture-building among board and staff members.
- Provide leadership in developing program, organization and financial plans with the Board of Directors and senior staff.
Budget & Financial Management
- Demonstrate outstanding financial management of the organization's annual budget; work with the Board and staff to ensure that business practices and plans meet all financial goals and achieve optimal levels of operational and programmatic performance.
- Develop, implement, oversee and evaluate projects/programs to fulfill the mission and strategy and ensure continuous program monitoring for accountability and efficiency. Ensure metrics are properly established and evolved to evaluate success, sustainability and profitability.
- Assess the organization's need for additional organizational capacity and recognize that delegation and teamwork are key to the success of the organization.
- Proactively and transparently provide financial reports, conduct regular audits and engage the Board and Finance Committee in the budgeting process; Exercise and implement excellence in governance and ethics in all aspects of the business.
- Ensure that LAND studio’s financial policies, procedures, and activities comply with all relevant regulations and guidelines (including those of local, state, and national policy, and specific funder or project-related grant activities).
Reporting Relationships:
The ED reports to the Chair of LAND studio’s 25-member Board of Directors and works closely with the 6-member Executive Committee of the Board. The ED supervises 6 senior staff members, the Director of Parks and Community, the Director of Arts and Special Projects, the Director of Design and Strategy, the Director of Finance and Human Resources, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, the Development Manager, as well as the Senior Manager of Projects and Operations, the Senior Project Manager, the Design and Communications Manager, and the Executive Assistant and Office Manager.
Candidate Profile
We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills and characteristics:
Strategic and Visionary Leader
The ED is a strategic and visionary leader with a track record of successfully shaping and refining an overarching vision and building effective strategies to achieve outcomes. The ideal candidate brings demonstrated knowledge of the strategies needed to advance the work of a mission-driven organization from funding to mission delivery. The ED will naturally inspire the staff, Board and members to see where the industry could and should be going and push the organization forward in a collaborative manner. While the ED may not be an artist themself, they must understand how creative practice transforms people and spaces. The ability to identify and engage the next generation of donors, clients, funders and partners is critical to advancing LAND's mission.. The ideal candidate has the curiosity and drive to ensure LAND stays ahead of trends impacting the sector and continues to develop new and unique opportunities to serve the mission.
A Passionate Ambassador & Fundraiser
The ED is a compelling storyteller who can translate the organization’s mission into inspiring narratives that engage diverse audiences. They see community engagement as more than outreach—it’s a philosophy that guides every project—and they can articulate what meaningful engagement looks like and how it leads to stronger outcomes. This executive is a confident spokesperson who inherently enjoys the external side of the role, working to inspire enthusiastic engagement and broader, deeper interest in the organization. The ED is experienced at representing their organizations in regional and national business, government and civic arenas and is effective at conveying a mission and vision to a broad range of constituents. The ED believes deeply in building and nurturing a robust network of relationships to foster collaboration and advance the mission. The ideal candidate brings proven experience identifying, conceptualizing and executing strategies to build and diversify funding streams. The ED must enjoy fundraising and business development and bring a track record of success in this area that includes the acquisition of major gifts and grants from foundations, corporations, individuals and the public sector at the local, state, regional and/or national level.
Nonprofit Management & Business Acumen
The ideal candidate is experienced in change management with strong operational and financial management experience. The ED has a track record of sound financial planning, oversight and accountability, with the ability to clearly communicate financial status to the Board. The ideal candidate possesses the ability to properly balance collaboration and decisiveness, understanding where input is needed and then driving effectively and efficiently toward execution. Candidates must bring experience leveraging data and tracking systems to assess capacity, determine business strengths and weaknesses, make informed project decisions and position the organization to take on larger, more transformative work. An engaging and supportive leader with the capacity to promote and embed accountability across the organization, this leader will have a track record of motivating and inspiring others to achieve impact through creativity, teamwork and by leveraging individual strengths to meet organizational goals. The ideal candidate understands and implements best nonprofit management practices and planning, including compelling internal and external communication, effective marketing strategies, management succession and, most importantly, ensuring that overall day-to-day operations are aligned with strategic goals. The ED understands the importance of a robust partnership with the Board and will possess the knowledge and ability to ensure that the Board is achieving its primary responsibilities of best practice governance and fundraising.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
The ED will play a critical role in prioritizing equity as a driver across the placemaking, public art, design and community development movement. This leadership spans LAND’s efforts to build a diverse and inclusive workforce, to strategies that create a pipeline for equitable leadership within the field, to investing in programming and strategies that promote diversity and inclusion in the communities where LAND works. The ideal candidate will bring expertise, an innovative and open mindset and a commitment to inclusive practice in their approach.
Passion for the Mission
The ED believes deeply in the power of public art, design, placemaking and cultural expression to strengthen social connections and foster healthy communities. The ideal candidate possesses high artistic and creative standards with a demonstrated ability to nurture and manage a creative culture, attract artists and staff and work collaboratively to develop ideas with the highest standards of artistic excellence and creative opportunity. The next ED brings a sincere belief that everyone should have access to welcoming spaces for residents and visitors alike. It is imperative that the ED models a leadership style that stays true to the values of the organization and engenders trust. Moreover, the ideal candidate is an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics and values; someone who can be trusted without reservation.
Compensation & Benefits
The compensation range for this role is $175,000 - $200,000 and includes a competitive benefits package.
About Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio
Cleveland is one of the nation’s most exciting cities, with a population of over 390,000. The Northeastern Ohio region reflects a 5-county MSA of over 2 million people. The area includes residents from diverse ethnic backgrounds and has maintained a solid economy with a mix of service, healthcare, and manufacturing businesses. Arts and culture include galleries, community festivals, restaurants, world-renowned orchestra, art museums and thriving theatre venues. On the shores of Lake Erie, the area is also home to beautiful parks and a myriad of recreational opportunities. Educational organizations include outstanding public and private school systems, community colleges and a number of public and private institutions of higher