Development & Communications Director

Company: George Mason Universit
Location: Santa Cruz
Posted on: July 16, 2020

Job Description:

Development & Communications Director, Arts Council Santa Cruz County – Santa Cruz, CA Posted: July 16, 2015 at 1:38 pm Development & Communications Director, Arts Council Santa Cruz County Since 1979, Arts Council Santa Cruz County has led the charge to support the unique, ever-evolving Santa Cruz County arts community. We’re passionate advocates for the arts and the organizations and people who make art happen. We believe in the power of the arts to transform our community, and our daily work of art reflects that belief. Our staff and board team is deeply committed to and fired up about our mission to promote, connect, and invest in the arts to stimulate creativity and vibrancy in Santa Cruz County. In our 36th year, Arts Council Santa Cruz County is experiencing one of the most profound and exciting periods of growth and evolution than it has in a decade. There are some major and timely opportunities to dramatically increase the number of people who engage with and support the Arts Council, and to demonstrate our relevance to new, younger, and more diverse audiences. We now have the potential to reach our visibility, relevance, and funding goals that will enable us to help positively transform our community. Job Summary: We’re looking for a highly skilled and passionate Development & Communications Director — someone who understands that meaningful relationships, clear communications, and strong engagement are key to developing the resources needed to fuel our vision, growth, and sustainability. The successful candidate will strengthen and implement the Council’s annual Fund Development and Communications Plans. In partnership with the Executive Director, the Development & Communications Director will be responsible for raising $1.2 mil annually through individual donors, businesses, government, and foundations. S/he will also be responsible for increasing the Arts Council’s visibility in and engagement within the community. The ideal candidate will be whip smart and a critical thinker; intuitive and authentic; detail-oriented and strategic; and hopefully funny and kind. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential. Experience with and ability to work with contractors desired. We anticipate this job will focus 75% on fund development and 25% on communications. “Fit” at the Arts Council is as important as skills and experience. We operate a highly collaborative and supportive workplace where staff is largely self-directed. We all have the opportunity and are expected to contribute not just to our own work but also to the strategic direction of the organization. We work hard, we have fun. We take responsibility for mistakes and celebrate successes. We live and breathe by our core values: collaborative, adaptable, innovative, service-oriented, and effectively and professionally run. A sense of humor and a compassionate disposition are required. The Arts Council is an award-winning Family Friendly Workplace; we always have plenty of chocolate and coffee; and we love our work. Most importantly, we are all here to be of service to the arts and to our community. And Now For Something Completely Different: The ideal candidate will have the majority of the skills outlined in this job description. However, if you beautifully fit most, but not all, of the bill, apply anyway. In either case, be direct in your cover letter about your strengths, interests, and “fit” for this position. Fundraising & Communications Duties and Responsibilities (the brass tacks): Provide visionary leadership for the Arts Council’s fundraising and community relations strategies. Pursue new opportunities in the development of resources, prioritize and map out options, work with staff to execute the most promising ideas, and evaluate the results. Refine current fund development and communications plans. Support the Executive Director and board in major gifts fundraising including: developing priorities and identifying prospects, planning and executing cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation activities. Manage a meaningful gratitude process for all donors. Manage strategic communication with long-time and major supporters of the Arts Council. Identify potential grant funders; with support from the Executive Director and staff, write, prepare and submit $575k in grant applications annually, including final reports. Work with board chair and the Development Committee to energize directors and volunteers as partners in fundraising. Oversee and provide guidance to Marketing Coordinator to: Develop and publish monthly newsletters; update the website; develop press releases; coordinate program related communications (i.e. Open Studios); and all other outward facing communications. Serve as principal brand steward, champion and ambassador internally and to the public. Promote Arts Council Santa Cruz County to the community through lively and strategic communications using a variety of traditional and new media. Work closely with Executive Director to develop presentations, speeches, and messaging. Leadership Responsibilities: Work as a member of the Executive Team to: Participate in the development, articulation, and tracking of organizational strategy Take an active role in the visioning, fundraising, and evaluation of new, complicated, or ambitious projects Encourage and support entrepreneurial thinking and resource development opportunities across all Arts Council programs Actively and passionately represent the Arts Council in the community Required Skills & Attributes: Track record of success in individual donor fundraising and grant writing. Strategic thinker about how diverse forms of engagement, cultivation, and donation levels work together. Comfort and experience with many types of fundraising, including annual giving, donor gatherings, grants, membership, major gifts, sponsorship, and planned giving. Rigorous and highly organized in planning and execution. Superb relationship building skills: personal, diplomatic, a great listener, and passionate about helping people realize their dreams through their support of the Arts Council. Self-directed with a passion for (or at least great satisfaction in) meeting goals and deadlines. Fearless in reaching out and selling. Confident and collaborative approach to work. Be willing to tell your boss what to do. Be willing to jump in to help others on the team to reach their goals. Able to think big picture and enjoy focusing on the details — enjoy visioning the forest, but pay attention to the very leaves on the trees. Manage staff with generosity, compassion, and care; make the space and give support so the team can do their best and highest work. Embrace the Arts Council’s core values and mission. Bonus Points if you: speak Spanish or have graphic design skills Opening: Deadline for application is Wednesday, July 22nd at 5 PM and the candidate will begin work by mid-August. Schedule: Full-time position: 40 hours/week, Monday – Friday. Flexible hours and weekends as-needed. Location: Arts Council office on the Tannery Art Center campus in Santa Cruz Reporting: This position reports directly to the Executive Director Supervisory Responsibilities: One employee, Marketing & Program Coordinator FLSA Status: Exempt Compensation: Commensurate with experience, great benefits package To Apply: Please send your resume and a cover letter in a single PDF document outlining your interest and fit for the position by July 22nd at 5 PM to infoartscouncilsc.org . Please use your cover letter to tell us something interesting about yourself; why you’re a great fit for this position; and how you’ll put your skills and passion to work for the Arts Council. Inspire us, rather than just re-stating what is in your resume. Interviews for this position will begin immediately and the vacancy will be filled by mid-August. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Keywords: George Mason Universit, Santa Cruz , Development & Communications Director, Other , Santa Cruz, California