Open Positions

Executive Director – Deadline: January 31, 2015

The Hopewell Valley Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, seeks an experienced and dynamic Executive Director to spearhead future growth and further the Council’s mission throughout Hopewell Valley. Through the very successful public art exhibit and fundraiser, the Stampede, the Hopewell Valley Arts Council made its public launch in the summer of 2014. Their mission is to celebrate and promote art in the everyday, thereby nurturing a vibrant, creative and involved community. The Executive Director will manage the Council’s program development, organizational structure, budget, community-wide events, and relationship building with a broad array of partners. The job description for this exciting position is below. Email cover letter and resume to the search consultant, Ruthellen S. Rubin, at rubin@ruthellenrubin.com.

Job Description

Hopewell Valley Arts Council, Inc. (“HVArts”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established two-years ago and launched in the Hopewell Valley community last summer through the extremely successful Hopewell Valley Stampede public art exhibit. The HV Arts Council seeks an experienced and dynamic Executive Director to spearhead future growth and further the Council’s mission throughout the Hopewell Valley, which encompasses Hopewell Township and the boroughs of Hopewell and Pennington, New Jersey, and beyond its borders.

The HV Arts Council’s mission is to celebrate and promote art in the everyday, thereby nurturing a vibrant, creative and involved community.  By broadly defining the arts, the Council’s goal is to cultivate creative exploration and awareness through a variety of events and activities that encourage participation, appreciation and artistic vision.

The Executive Director must have a passion for the arts in all its forms – from the visual and performing arts, to an appreciation for the culinary, literary, and other non-traditional forms of artistic expression.  He/she is responsible for the leadership and management of the HV Arts Council and will be working in partnership with an active and committed Board of Trustees and community volunteers.

The Executive Director will manage the Council’s program development, organizational structure, budget, community-wide events, and relationship building with a broad array of partners.  Fundraising responsibilities will include oversight and coordination of events, membership program development, grant proposals and individual giving.

This may be a part-time or full-time position and the Executive Director can work from home.  Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Communication

  • Work closely in partnership with the Board of Trustees to carry out the annual Business Plan
  • Promote awareness and visibility of the arts and the Council in the Hopewell Valley community and beyond
  • Oversee annual communications plan through social and print media
  • Ensure the implementation of established policies and procedures
  • Create and implement ongoing community relations plan to build solid partnerships with artists and artisans, businesses and organizations, and the public
  • Develop positive relations with other local area arts foundations and organizations

Operations and Finance

  • Together with the Board of Trustees, create the annual budget and maintain fiscal accountability to ensure activities are within allocated guidelines
  • Monitor the fiscal performance of the Arts Council and work with the Treasurer to provide regular reports to the Board
  • Develop and maintain the Arts Council’s information systems including membership, donor, and registration databases

Program and Event Planning

  • Work closely with the Board of Directors to develop annual programming and events calendar
  • Oversee all programs and events to ensure that objectives are met

Fundraising

  • Create and execute an annual development plan to generate revenue in accordance with the budget and to include:  events, corporate and foundation grants, and corporate and individual giving
  • Maintain strong relationships with funders and donors through a comprehensive stewardship program

Board Development

  • Work closely with the Board President to plan board meetings and furnish relevant reports
  • Assist in the recruitment and orientation of new board members
  • Help with board development by both attending and recommending workshops and other development programs as appropriate

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 5+ years of nonprofit experience in program management and fundraising
  • Bachelors degree/Masters degree in Nonprofit Management, highly desirable
  • Proven leadership and consensus building skills
  • Experience working in the arts and arts programming
  • Experience in nonprofit fiscal management, including accounting and bookkeeping principles
  • Demonstrated experience in fundraising from foundations, corporations and individuals
  • Practical experience with a donor database
  • Practical computer skills in Excel, Word, mail-merge, project planning tools
  • Demonstrated ability in public speaking, written and oral communication and interpersonal relations
  • Ability to oversee management of the public face of the Arts Council through the website and a variety of social media outlets
  • A passion for the arts