Vice President, Act-So And Creative Services

POSITION SUMMARY

The NAACP seeks a passionate and experienced leader to serve as the Vice President of ACT-SO and Creative Services. This dynamic role will oversee the prestigious ACT-SO program, its dedicated staff, and collaborate with key departments and external stakeholders to develop and execute impactful creative projects that advance the NAACP.

ABOUT ACT-SO

The Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) is a premier national competition for African American high school students, promoting academic and artistic excellence in more than 30 categories. With over 10,000 participants annually, ACT-SO is a cornerstone of the NAACP's commitment to youth development and empowerment.

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES

ACT-SO Leadership:

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for the ACT-SO program, ensuring its continued growth and measurable impact;
• Manage and mentor a team of dedicated ACT-SO staff, vendors, and volunteers, fostering a culture of excellence, and collaboration, with exceptional service to student/family/member customers;
• Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including sponsors, alumni, donors, and volunteers, to secure resources and support for the program;
• Develop and implement innovative strategies to increase student participation and engagement in ACT-SO at scale;
• Oversee the annual ACT-SO National Competition, ensuring a seamless and impactful experience for students and their families;
• Produce the annual ACT-SO National Competition, Opening Ceremony, and NAACP ACT-SO Awards; and
• Manage the ACT-SO budget, and reporting.

Fundraising:

• Collaborate with the Development team to develop and implement fundraising strategies specifically for ACT-SO, including grant writing, corporate sponsorships, and individual giving campaigns;
• Co-Manage relationships with key donors and sponsors, ensuring their continued engagement and support for the program;
• Develop and oversee fundraising materials and events to promote ACT-SO and secure financial resources; and
• Track and analyze fundraising results, reporting progress to senior leadership and adjusting strategies as needed.

ACT-SO Alumni Relations, Growth, and Management:

• Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive alumni relations strategy to engage and cultivate relationships with ACT-SO alumni;
• Lead efforts to track and manage alumni data, including contact information, career paths, and contributions to the program;
• Develop and execute initiatives to leverage the experience and expertise of alumni to support current ACT-SO participants and the program's overall growth; and
• Identify and cultivate potential partnerships with alumni-owned businesses and organizations to benefit ACT-SO and the NAACP.

Creative Partnership:

• Co-Steward internal and external stakeholders to develop and execute creative projects aligned with the NAACP's mission;
• Provide creative direction and expertise in pre-production (concept development, budgeting, scheduling), production (execution, logistics, quality control), and post-production (editing, distribution, evaluation) phases;
• Identify and leverage emerging technologies and trends to enhance the effectiveness and ROI for creative projects;
• Lead the development and implementation of standardized creative tools, resources, and best practices to be shared across departments for creative projects (live/broadcasts events, meetings, and other creative projects);
• Ensure all creative projects are culturally sensitive, inclusive, and uphold the NAACP's values;
• Contribute to the overall creative success of NAACP events and productions; and
• Co-Evaluate the effectiveness of collaborative efforts and identify areas for further improvement to continuously optimize external efficiencies.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Represent the NAACP and ACT-SO at conferences, events, and media engagements;
• Manage a budget and maintain financial records for the ACT-SO program and assigned creative projects;
• Stay informed of current trends and developments in youth development, education, and the creative industries;
• Contribute to the overall strategic goals and objectives of the NAACP; and
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned by the Vice President of ACT-SO and Creative Services or other designee.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (education, arts management, communications, etc.) or equivalent experience;
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in program management, ideally within the non-profit sector or youth development field;
• Proven track record of success in developing and executing creative projects, preferably in multiple media formats;
• Strong understanding of the African American community and the NAACP's mission;
• Excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills; and
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.