Director of Development and Communications

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Center for Craft, a national 501c3 nonprofit arts organization located in downtown Asheville, NC, is seeking a Director of Development and Communications to lead efforts to grow contributed income and increase audience engagement. The Director creates and implements a comprehensive annual fundraising plan to raise 20 percent or more of the $1.7 million organizational budget, as well as a multi-channel communication plan that drives funding and engagement metrics. The Director reports to the Executive Director, is staff liaison to the Resource Committee of the Board of Directors, and manages two full-time support positions. 

The Director of Development and Communications will be a front-line fundraiser and strategist, maintaining relationships with donors, community and business leaders, volunteers, and the Center’s grant recipients (both artists and scholars) to generate philanthropic support of and engagement with the Center. The Director will expand the Center's donor base, diversifying funding across individual giving (from membership to major gifts), private foundation grants, corporate partners, and government funding. They will engage board volunteers in fundraising to first achieve 100 percent board participation in giving (an essential metric to foundations) and in leveraging their networks and relationships to raise funds for the Center. Successful candidates will demonstrate a can-do attitude and confidence in identifying and acting on opportunities. Directing organizational communications, they will partner with staff to develop key messaging and collateral, with a plan for growing audience engagement through digital communications, events, and social media. The Director will oversee brand identity and guidelines and work to amplify the Center through public and media relations. They are supported in their responsibilities by a full-time Development Coordinator, a full-time Communications Coordinator, and other consultants, as required.

Successful candidates will be goal-oriented and motivated by growth. They will be versatile, creative, and entrepreneurial, equally comfortable as an event organizer, proposal writer, and volunteer manager. The Director will thrive as a coach to their staff and to the Board’s Resource Committee, able to bring out the best in each person to further their clearly articulated fundraising and communications goals. Special consideration will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience closing gifts of five figures or more.

This position is full-time and exempt with occasional evenings/weekends and reports to the Executive Director. Starting salary is $70,000 with full benefits to include Medical/Dental, Life Insurance, LTD and STD, and 401K as well as 5 weeks paid leave and recognized federal holidays.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Development: Build Relationships and Inspire Investment (50%)

Convey the energy, meaning, and importance of the Center for Craft's mission and vision to create a multi-faceted case for support and communications plan that grows revenue and engagement Create and execute an annual fundraising plan in collaboration with staff and Board that includes an individual giving program (from membership to major gifts), corporate partnerships, private foundation grants, and government funding Research, prospect, and secure new sources of financial support; prepare prospect profiles to support solicitations by others (fellow staff and board) Develop materials for sponsorship packages and in-kind donations Implement a year-round stewardship plan for donors of all giving levels by recognizing the impact of gift, communicating progress and results, and ensuring a quality experience Cultivate donors by actively listening, building trust, and mutually meaningful relationships; share organizational opportunities or programs that match their interests  Plan and prompt the fundraising efforts of the Resource Committee and Board of Directors, as well as other revenue-generating groups, such as event committees Oversee grant seeking including researching foundations, proposal writing, and reporting requirements; develop and track proposals and reports for all government, foundation, and corporate fundraising to include the management of contractual performance of grant deliverables and reporting requirements Develop and implement online and in-person fundraising events and programming Create methods to track engagement and evaluation methods across various platforms to assist in making data-driven decisions Engage and oversee consultants and contractors; manage volunteers, as necessary

Communication: Effective, Engaging and Innovative Messaging (30%)

Develop and implement a year-round communications plan with a compelling case to keep the Center's audience informed and engaged, with opportunities to support Generate a cohesive implementation strategy for the Communications Coordinator for social marketing, public and media relations, website content, communication/resource development materials, and brand management to reach diverse audiences Distill complex information into a simple, clear, and persuasive message using examples, stories, and information that is relevant and resonates with donors and audiences in both written and oral format including ghostwriting for board members and staff  Prepare and manage strategic communications material to funders and other key stakeholders, including an organizational year in review/impact report Develop brand voice and maintain brand integrity across all platforms and advise in the creation of digital, video, audio, and print content Work with a contracted team of communication, marketing, and design professionals

Leadership: Board and Staff (20%)

Participate on the organization's Staff Leadership Team and serve as staff liaison for the Board of Director's Resource Committee and other committees, as needed Work to advance the organization's mission, vision, values, and organization's commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion Recognize organization-wide priorities and work cooperatively to drive results  Value and leverage the power of external networks and relationships Conduct, analyze, and interpret internal and external research to support planning Serve as a progressive and innovative thinker, understanding philanthropic trends and best practices in donor-centered fundraising Coach and inspire both staff and board volunteers to secure additional contributed/earned revenue  Perform additional duties or tasks as directed to support the mission

QUALIFICATIONS

5-7 years of nonprofit fundraising experience with a focus on individual donors, foundations, other institutional donors (government or corporate) at organizations with budgets greater than $1,000,000 Skill cultivating and soliciting individuals and corporate sponsors of $10,000 or more  Experience growing and diversifying revenue sources, as well as developing and engaging staff and volunteers in fundraising efforts  Background in and passion for the arts; familiarity with the field of craft Excellent writing and research skills, with ability to oversee the process for successful federal, state, and private grant proposals  Creativity to identify traditional and "out of the box" funding opportunities to meet growth goals Proven experience in building, coaching, and mentoring a team that led to expand an organization's audience and fundraising efforts Outgoing demeanor with ability to professionally and confidentially build trust and represent the Center for Craft to all public constituencies Effective interpersonal, public speaking, facilitation, presentation skills Highly collaborative both with internal teams as well as external partners, volunteers, consultants, and contractors Excellent interpersonal skills and team orientation are critical, as well as the ability to work independently and collaboratively Must be self-directed/-motivated and have extensive project management experience  Strategic and creative thinker and can work on multiple projects simultaneously within limited timeframes Excellent organizational skills, time management efficiency, and careful attention to detail

The Center for Craft is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.  The Center encourages applications from candidates who can complement the Center for Craft's Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion work by offering unique perspectives and understanding of issues impacting groups that have been traditionally under-represented in the field. Submitting an application does not constitute a promise or guarantee of employment.

TO APPLY

Please send application form, cover letter, resumé, and relevant fundraising writing samples (up to 500 words each) to Stephanie Moore at smoore@centerforcraft.org.  No phone calls please.

Offer of employment is contingent on successfully passing a background check.