The Trust for Governors Island seeks a dynamic, creative, open minded and exceptional individual for a new position, Vice President OpenHouseGI.
OpenHouseGI is Governors Island’s signature program offering 150,000 square feet of indoor space in former officer homes and 25 acres of outdoor space free of charge to any organization creating an experience that is free and open to the public during the Governors Island season.
Each year dozens of organizations participate in the program, offering an extraordinary and eclectic array of experiences including but not limited to mini golf, exhibitions, site specific performances, festivals celebrating unicycles, street food, the Jazz Age and VW Bugs, to name just a few of the events which have taken place during the last decade. Governors Island is open seasonally every day from the end of May through the end of September.
The Island has earned a reputation as New York City’s shared space for art and play, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors during the season. Approximately 3 out of every 4 visitors live in the five boroughs, enjoying the Island “created by and for New Yorkers.” OpenHouseGI is the heart of this shared democratic culture.
The Trust for Governors Island does not select, fund or curate any of the programming presented by organizations. The Island is a venue or more broadly a platform for the programs created by independent organizations, which range from nascent groups and community based organizations to some of the City’s leading cultural institutions. Information about the program including permits can be found on govisland.com. (https://govisland.com/get-involved/openhouse-gi-program-exhibition-guide) Presentations by the Trust which describe the Island’s approach are also on the website (https://govisland.com/about/public-presentations). The Island and individual programs have also been featured in national media including the New York Times, the New Yorker, Public Art Review, Washington Post and other outlets.
The Trust is seeking a Vice President, OpenHouseGI, to take OpenHouseGI to the next level, maintaining its spirit of openness and improvisation while encouraging more development of new ideas and programs, more collaboration among groups and heightened visibility and activity.
The Vice President will report directly to the President of The Trust and will be a part of the Island’s leadership team.
Interested candidates should submit a résumé, and cover letter to jobs@govisland.nyc.gov. 

Roles and Responsibilities
• Develop a strategic plan for OpenHouseGI, including, but not limited to determining
the Trust’s approach to programming over the next three years
• Develop unique program ideas that will ensure Governors Island remains the
experimental, inclusive cultural destination it has become
• Oversee every aspect of OpenHouseGI throughout the entire process, from the initial
outreach to organizations through the production of the program
• Act as an ambassador for Governors Island by contacting and presenting to
institutions, field service organizations, district arts councils and other interested
parties about programming opportunities
• Cultivate programming ideas by working directly with organizations that can bring
programs to the Island. This includes contacting, meeting and following up with all
prospective programming organizations
• Connect programming organizations already working on Governors Island with
prospective programming organizations to explore potential collaborations
• Oversee web strategy and content as it relates to programs
• Oversee the permit process for all private events, film and photo shoots
• Work with development team to raise funds to support programming vision
• Manage all permanent and seasonal programming staff to ensure smooth operation
of public season

Qualifications
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in creating or collaborating on original
programming that serves a diverse public
• Track record of success in creating and executing a creative vision
• Demonstrated experience in cultivating organizations and individuals to support this
vision
• Ability and experience with working with development staff on raising funds to
support this vision.
• Experience managing staff in a dynamic environment
• Positive outlook and enthusiasm for Governors Island, its mission and its future

Required skills and competencies
The ideal candidate is a creative and entrepreneurial leader. This position requires
outstanding communication, written and interpersonal skills. The Vice President must also be
a strong public speaker who can act as an ambassador for Governors Island. The Vice
President must be able to deliver results that build on Governors Island’s already impressive
track record of innovative, experimental and dynamic arts, cultural and recreational programming. The Vice President must be very open minded, truly creative and collaborative, and interested in developing new approaches. This individual must also have a passion for welcoming and working with diverse audiences and groups.

Equal Opportunity Employer
M/F/H/V
The Trust for Governors Island does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.