Seeking Deputy Director

Para Site is Hong Kong’s leading contemporary art space and one of the oldest and most active independent art centres in Asia. It produces exhibitions, publications, discursive, and educational projects aimed at forging a critical understanding of local and international phenomena in art and society. Founded in 1996 as an artist run space, the institution has grown and tranformed together with Hong Kong’s art scene over the years. Para Site is currently seeking a Deputy Director, following the departure of Frances Wu Giarratano, Para Site’s first Deputy Director who joined the institution in 2013 and was instrumental to its development in recent years. Cosmin Costinas, Para Site’s Executive Director/Curator says, “Fran has played a decisive role in building Para Site into its current shape. She has been a great partner and her contribution will be greatly missed. We wish her great success in her undoubtedly exciting future endeavours.”

Para Site’s development over the past years is increasingly recognised as an original institutional model for the wider Asian region and a strong catalyst for artistic and intellectual exchange taking place across Hong Kong, Greater China, East Asia, South and South East Asia, as well as across the world. Para Site has been at the forefront of a novel way of working, considering the position of contemporary art as an educational tool in a wider framework of culture and society. In recent years, Para Site has organized exhibitions of international acclaim, traveling them to like-minded institutions in Taipei, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Istanbul, Singapore, Seoul, Mexico City, New York, San Francisco, and Manila amongst others, as well as organized an art residency programme and annual international conference. In early 2015, Para Site embarked on a monumental move to an expanded space for exhibitions and public programmes. Since then, the institution has launched several new initiatives, including a training programme for emerging curators in the region and a multifaceted project engaging with Hong Kong’s migrant worker community.

Together with the Executive Director/Curator, the Deputy Director works towards the growth and sustainability of Para Site, with a focus on fundraising, external communications, personnel, and developing strategic partnerships.

Responsibilities:
–With Executive Director/Curator, oversee and guide the goals of the organisation, establishing future objectives by identifying critical issues and opportunities and developing strategic recommendations
–Oversee all aspects of Para Site’s fundraising, establishing goals, objectives and procedures. This includes: running the annual patron programme, communicating with individual patrons, and developing and implementing programme events; managing corporate funding programme, identifying and cultivating new potential sponsors; directing large scale annual fundraising auction; leading the completion and submission of government and foundation grants
–Supervise overall communications strategy to promote the organisation and its activities locally, regionally, and internationally 
–Identify and implement new initiatives and advance existing strategies to further the mission and goals of the organisation
–Support Executive Director/Curator as a lead representative of the organisation to external constituents and the general public
–Attend meetings of the Board of Directors as well as lead specific committees
–Develop and monitor the organisation’s budget
–Oversee day-to-day activities of Para Site, developing and implementing internal policies and providing leadership to maintain an efficient and satisfying working environment

The ideal candidate should have:
–An advanced degree in art history, curatorial studies, museum studies, arts administration or equivalent experience
–Minimum of 5 years experience in a supervisory arts administration position
–Demonstrated extensive knowledge of contemporary art
–Experience and proven success with fundraising and financial management
–Excellent managerial skills and experience leading teams and working with a wide range of collaborators
–Excellent oral and written communications skills
–Strong preference given to those with experience working in or with Hong Kong and/or Greater China

Applications (including a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements) should be sent via email to recruitment [​at​] para-site.org.hk by April 4, 2017. Selected applicants will be contacted.