Position: Executive Director
Organization: Grub Street
Location: Boston, MA
Grub Street, one of New England’s premier literary arts organizations, is seeking an energetic, forward-thinking Executive Director. The Executive Director will partner with our Artistic Director to implement a dynamic and ambitious five-year plan for growing and developing Grub Street. In its first 12 years of existence Grub Street has expanded and deepened its university-level instruction, developed workshops in various genres, increased membership, and launched hundreds of literary careers. We have also developed innovative public and private partnerships to help underserved populations - notably, senior citizens and teens - discover the power of writing. We offer grants and awards to rising talents, publish occasional anthologies, and continue to improve our writing programs. Our annual literary conference, The Muse and the Marketplace, has achieved a national presence and top-notch reputation for excellence and results. We need an Executive Director who will build on this solid foundation and help Grub Street grow to a new level. This is a full-time position located in Boston, MA.
Responsibilities:
The Executive Director will be responsible for the following:
Strategic and Tactical Leadership
• Work closely with the Artistic Director, Board of Directors, and Advisory Board to set a strategic course for the organization
• Translate those goals into a tactical work plan for staff
• Be the public face of the organization through public speaking engagements, media relationships, and community relationships that increase awareness of Grub Street
Fundraising
• Take the lead in working with the Board of Directors to develop and sustain a diverse funding base to support Grub Street
• Work closely with the Development Director to create short- and long-term fundraising strategies for individual, corporate, and foundation relationships, including researching and cultivating new funding relationships and developing and managing major special events
Operational Management
• Direct and supervise all administrative, support, volunteer and professional staff and functions needed to maintain a strong organization
• Develop and implement organizational infrastructure and systems for sustainable operations
• Manage facilities, equipment, and information systems
Financial Management
• Ensure Grub Street operates on a sound fiscal basis
• Collaborate with the Board to develop the annual budget
• Administer and manage programs in accordance with budgetary guidelines and constraints, cash flow projections, and sound financial management practices
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal financial reporting requirements, as well as program evaluation
• Implement appropriate internal accounting controls
Board Collaboration
• Work closely with the Board of Directors to develop and maintain an engaged, informed, and effective Board
• Keep Board leadership informed of Grub Street operations and changing community needs
• Work with the Board to ensure fiscal responsibility, adequate funding, and increased fund development capacity
• Attend and participate in all scheduled Board meetings and activities, as well as appropriate Committee meetings
• Participate in the Board development process, including training and integrating new board members, developing long-term strategic plans, and increasing fundraising capacity
Experience:
The Executive Director should have strong non-profit leadership skills and
experience, including:
• 5 or more years leading a non-profit organization or the equivalent experience
• A solid grounding in fundraising techniques and a track record of success
• A wide network of contacts within the non-profit, donor, and government sectors
• The ability to inspire, mentor, and grow an enthusiastic and dedicated staff
Qualifications & Personal Characteristics:
The ideal candidate for the Executive Director position will have an entrepreneurial spirit; a passion for the literary arts; and the energy, drive, and dedication required to inspire and grow staff and community stakeholders and lead a non-profit to new levels of growth. He or she will share our values of placing people first, rewarding excellence, and supporting and promoting writers and writing of the highest quality. Additional qualifications include:
• Superb communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong staff management skills, including hiring, training, and growing staff
• Track record of successful fundraising, including developing and implementing strategic
fundraising plans for individual giving and corporate and foundation relations
• Ability to oversee all financial operations, including budgeting and reporting
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience building infrastructure and organizational systems and processes
Compensation and Benefits:
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, and includes excellent benefits.
To Apply:
Grub Street has engaged Koya Consulting to help in this hire. Please send a compelling cover letter and resume to Molly Brennan at executivesearch@koyaconsulting.com.
Grub Street is an equal opportunity employer. Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
About Grub Street:
Grub Street is a non-profit creative writing center dedicated to nurturing writers and connecting readers with the wealth of writing talent in the Boston area. It was founded in 1997 by Eve Bridburg, who envisioned an arts center that welcomed writers of all genres and ambitions. Grub Street’s mission is to support creative writers at all stages of their development so that they can achieve their goals of publication, social and professional networking, gainful employment in the field, and/or personal enrichment. They accomplish this by providing university-level instruction via multi-week courses, seminars and conferences and bringing the transformative power of creative writing to underserved populations. For more information about Grub Street, please visit www.grubstreet.org.