Cultural Affairs Administrator

Job Description

Job Summary

Plans, develops, and oversees the implementation of a range of innovative and community responsive cultural programs. Supervises the work of assigned staff and consultants.

Representative Duties

Plans, organizes, and oversees various programs in the Cultural Affairs Division, such as grant programs; public art; cultural facilities and programming; partnerships, and communications.

Develops and implements comprehensive cultural funding programs, including grants to non-profit agencies and individual artists as well as associated technical assistance initiatives.

Develops community input activities to ensure that the City’s cultural funding programs are responsive to community needs and priorities.

Develops funding rationales and guidelines.

Conducts long-range planning studies on emerging cultural trends and needs and corresponding priorities for the City’s cultural programs.

Researches best practices and promotes innovation in Division programs.

Provides leadership in the areas of cultural facilities and programming, partnerships, customer service programs, public relations, and marketing of the City’s cultural resources and activities.

Makes presentations to cultural organizations, community groups, and residents to encourage participation in the arts, culture, and understanding of the City of Santa Monica’s creative economy.

Selects, trains, evaluates, schedules, and supervises staff and consultants. Implements staff development and training activities to ensure a collaborative teamwork environment.

Oversees the monitoring of program expenditures, revenues, and budget status.

Maintains and prepares a variety of reports including financial reports and records and proposes recommendations for review by the City Council, boards, commissions, and community groups.

Responds to inquiries and oversees the resolution of citizen complaints.

Serves as a liaison to the Arts Commission, the Santa Monica Arts Foundation and/or other committees, as assigned.

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of cultural planning

Principles and practices of community outreach and marketing

Principles and practices, of cultural facility and program development

Principles and practices of grant administration

Visual, performing, literary and design arts

Cultural funding programs for non-profit agencies and individuals, including grants and technical assistance

Principles and practices of budget development and administration

Principles and practices of non-profit management

Principles and practices of contract development and negotiations

Principles of staff training and supervision

Effective customer service techniques

Ability to:

Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of a section of a division

Develop and work with staff members and consultants using a team-oriented approach

Conduct research, analyze information, and make recommendations

Develop and implement innovative and community-responsive policies and procedures

Select, supervise, train, evaluate, and motivate staff

Prepare and present clear and concise oral and written reports and recommendations

Provide effective customer service

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees, City Boards and Commissions, and the general public

Skill in:

Meeting facilitation

Using a personal computer and applicable software applications

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree with a major in the arts, public administration or a closely related field is desirable.

Four years of recent, paid, experience in an arts and/or cultural organization overseeing one or more program areas. Experience in grants management, cultural program management, cultural facility management or cultural policy development is desirable. At least two years of the recent, paid work experience must have included leading and coordinating the work of others, including coordinating the work of arts and/or cultural consultants.

Licenses and Certificates:

Possession of a valid Class C driver license or the ability to utilize an alternate method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Supplemental Information

The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our employees are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!

Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).

Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.

HOW TO APPLY : All applicants must submit an online City application and required supplemental questions to be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process and should not be submitted.

NOTE : You must submit a copy of your college level transcripts or diploma with your application. Applicants who indicate receipt of college level coursework or degree from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcripts. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than close of business on the application closing date. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified. You must upload and attach a scanned copy of your transcripts or diploma to your on-line application.

SELECTION PROCESS : All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Testing may consist of the following:

Training & Experience Evaluation - Qualifying
Oral Interview - 90%
Seniority - 10%

The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.

Closing Date/Time: 9/14/2026 5:30 PM Pacific