JOB POSTING
Open Position: Development + Membership Manager Time Commitment: Full Time (on-site) + includes evening or weekend events, remote or offsite as needed. To apply: send resume + cover letter to jobs@createcouncil.org |
Development + Membership Manager – Job Description
Reports to: Executive Director
Overview
CREATE Council on the Arts is the arts council serving Greene, Columbia and Schoharie counties. This year, CREATE will distribute over $200,000 of grants to artists and organizations who are then able to present, perform, and activate arts activities all across the three counties. You can see our mission in action through the work of our grantees and our impact is amplified through the contributions of our members. Members contribute dues but also volunteer and are the essential connectors in the creative ecosystem. It is with the support of members and donors that we are able to continue to sustain our regrant programs and services.
We are seeking a Development and Membership Manager to join our team and work together to drive the organization’s efforts in fundraising, donor and member engagement, and event management. This role is essential in expanding CREATE’s reach, increasing financial support, and strengthening relationships with artists, supporters, and community partners. The Development and Membership Manager will work closely with the Executive Director to implement strategic fundraising initiatives that ensure the organization’s sustainability and growth.
Development Responsibilities
You will play a key role in expanding CREATE’s funding base and ensuring the sustainability of the organization. You will work closely with the Executive Director to develop and execute fundraising strategies, while strengthening relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners to help reach fundraising goals and support CREATE’s mission.
- Fundraising & Donor Relations: Collaborate with the Executive Director to identify new funding sources, including grants, major donors, and corporate partnerships. Cultivate and manage relationships with donors and sponsors through thoughtful communication and engagement, supporting CREATE’s fundraising goals.
- Sponsorship Growth: Build and maintain strong partnerships with businesses and organizations to secure and grow sponsorship opportunities that help meet fundraising targets and support CREATE’s events and programs.
- Donor Communications: Oversee and manage donor outreach, including appeals, thank-you letters, and ongoing stewardship efforts to ensure lasting relationships and continued support toward meeting fundraising goals.
- Event Production: Plan, organize, and execute fundraising events from concept to production. Manage event logistics, including budget coordination, vendor relationships, and creating seamless workflows that can be shared with board members, staff, and volunteers.
- Marketing & Communications for Fundraising: Develop marketing strategies to promote fundraising campaigns and sponsorship opportunities. Create digital and print materials, manage email campaigns (using Mailchimp), and promote events and donor communications through social media and newsletters to drive support and increase donations.
Membership Responsibilities
In this role, you’ll be instrumental in expanding CREATE’s membership, recognizing that a larger, more engaged membership base directly translates to a more vibrant creative ecosystem. As membership grows, so does the opportunity to generate more support for CREATE’s community programs, fundraising and sustainability.
- Engage and Grow Membership: Work closely with the Executive Director to develop strategies to expand and retain members, recognizing that their involvement is critical.
- Organize Special Member Events: Coordinate exclusive events and opportunities that allow members to connect with each other, learn, and engage with CREATE’s mission. This includes organizing member exhibitions and networking events.
- Cultivate Member Involvement: Build strong relationships with members, encouraging their ongoing support by identifying opportunities for deeper involvement, such as volunteering, attending events, and spreading the word about CREATE’s work.
- Marketing & Communications for Membership: Develop and implement marketing strategies that highlight the value of membership and demonstrate how members help CREATE thrive. Regularly communicate with members through email campaigns (using Mailchimp) and newsletters to keep them informed and engaged. Promote membership through digital and print materials and engage members through social media and community platforms.
Qualifications
- Proven experience in fundraising and building relationships with donors and sponsors, helping to reach fundraising goals.
- Skilled in planning and organizing events, from initial ideas to final execution, including managing event budgets and working with vendors.
- Ability to build partnerships with businesses and organizations to secure sponsorships that support CREATE’s events and programs.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to connect with donors, members, and the community. Experience with thank-you notes, event invitations, and ongoing updates to maintain relationships.
- Experience creating marketing plans for fundraising and membership, including using tools like Mailchimp and Canva to create emails, flyers, and social media posts.
- Experience with donor and member management systems (such as Little Green Light or similar) to keep track of data and communications.
- Ability to work closely with the Executive Director to develop and carry out strategies that support CREATE’s financial goals and growth.
- Experience managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and ensuring that events stay within budget.
- Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and create clear and simple systems that can be shared with board members, staff, and volunteers.
- Experience setting up systems and processes that make planning and executing events smoother, ensuring all stakeholders can easily access and follow them.
- Proven ability to engage and grow a membership base, knowing how important members are for supporting fundraising and creating a strong community.
- Experience planning member events, like exhibitions and social gatherings, to build deeper connections with members and the broader community.
- Creative thinking and problem-solving to support both fundraising efforts and membership growth.
- Community-centered, with the ability to represent CREATE at local events and build relationships with potential supporters.
- Availability to attend events in the evening and weekend meetings and events across the service area as necessary.
- Proficiency with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Gmail, Calendar, Forms) for organizing and managing tasks.
Preferred Candidates
- Reside within the CREATE service area or have strong ties to the local community.
Compensation + Benefits
- $65,000 – $68,000
- Benefits include: Paid time off for holidays, sick days, and vacation days; health care stipend – begin after 3 months of employment.
[posted 2/28/2025]