CUE’S MISSION AND HIRING CONTEXT

More info about our mission and hiring context is here. Please read before applying! You can also see other open positions at that link.

THE ROLE

The Development and Communications Director leads CUE Art Foundation external affairs and institutional advancement activities. The position will be supervised by and work closely with CUE’s Executive Director. They will also co-manage a full-time Associate and work directly with other staff to ensure the success of CUE’s programs and mission-driven activity.

The Development and Communications Director manages the organization’s major areas of funding, including public and foundation grant giving, individual and firm gifts, membership, special events, and earned income. The position also assists in board, patron, and institutional relationships, and works closely with the Executive Director toward the cultivation of new donors and allies. Additionally, the position leads communications efforts at CUE Art Foundation, overseeing its email and website communications, social media, press and public relations, and collateral development. This includes strategy and asset development for general communication of CUE’s mission, as well as for exhibitions and public programs. 

The ideal candidate for this position will be a motivated individual who is interested in joining a small team of passionate people. They will be mission-driven and interested in the ecosystems and communities of arts engagement in New York City and more broadly. They will also share in our commitment to the values of access, equity, and collaboration.

AREAS OF WORK

  • Development strategy and implementation, including fundraising efforts such as grants, individual and firm giving, membership, special events, and earned income

  • Communications strategy and implementation, including website and email, social media, press, and visual assets

  • Creating mission-driven narratives and campaigns that center artists and their work, and that are accessible and targeted toward a variety of audiences 

  • Envisioning creative new ways to fundraise and friendraise in support of CUE’s mission

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Institutional and Foundation Giving

  • Draft and edit content; secure supporting documentation for grant applications

  • Develop and maintain grants calendar

  • Maintain grant platforms and compliance-related paperwork for government funding (i.e. SAM, Grants.gov, Grants Gateway, etc.).

  • Draft, edit, and prepare final reports for government and private funders

  • Organize and maintain documentation of all grant applications and paperwork on shared server

  • Proactively seek new grant opportunities and foundation support

Individual Giving

  • Work with Executive Director to develop strategies to cultivate new patrons interested in CUE mission and specific programs

  • Assist in maintaining existing individual donors, including strategy and communications around renewals and increased asks

  • Acknowledge all individual contributions in a timely manner.

Membership

  • Proactively assist Executive Director in the establishment of a new membership program, including planning and communication end-of-year and other appeals; prospect research; and innovative ideas for solicitation of new individual and corporate members

  • Coordinate planning and execution of membership events; maintain associated calendar of events and coordinate communication with Executive Director and other staff members.

  • Maintain and update membership roster; ensure proper listing and acknowledgment of donors on all materials (website, email, etc.).

  • Manage correspondence with members

  • Ensure membership benefits are fulfilled

  • Track donations through online and subscription platforms

  • Prepare and send acknowledgment and renewal letters in a timely manner

  • Conduct research and reports on potential improvements or changes to membership program structure and content

Special Events

  • Coordinate planning, execution, and evaluation of all special events, including annual benefit, membership events, cultivation trips, openings, dinners, and donor receptions

  • Secure, contract, and liaise with venues, caterers, and all other aspects of event planning such as furniture rentals, music, and lighting when needed

  • Manage on-site gallery event logistics with staff and intern support

  • Coordinate staff roles for all events; draft and distribute memos to full team prior to events

  • Solicit in­-kind donations for all events

  • Create and manage lists of target individuals and firms per event, in consultation with Executive Director

  • Develop and implement proactive communications plans for special event invitations and direct asks targeting new and potential supporters with Executive Director and other staff members

  • Manage marketing of events through email, calendar listings, website posts, and social media to ensure online visibility

  • Track income received through special events and ensure all gifts are properly acknowledged

  • Create reports that evaluate and analyze the success of special events and suggest potential improvements

Earned Income

  • Develop, organize, and execute earned income initiatives, such as one-off auctions and artist editions.

  • Oversee contract development and financial administration of fiscal sponsorships.

  • Conduct other earned income activities (i.e. administration of competition platforms, traveling exhibitions, honoraria) as needed.

  • Make recommendations on additional ways to secure earned income

Communications

  • Lead redevelopment of CUE’s graphic identity and brand materials 

  • Engage with members of the press and public on organizational mission and programs 

  • Draft, edit, and disseminate text and presentations about CUE’s mission and programs

  • Oversee web, email, and social media strategies 

  • Create campaigns that center artists and their work and that are public and accessible to various audiences

QUALIFICATIONS

CUE Art Foundation recognizes that individuals have diverse life experiences and trajectories that may qualify them for this role, and prioritizes characteristics, skills, and lived experience that will allow for a candidate to undertake the role and learn from CUE’s context in ways that support both the organization and the employee’s future career goals. The qualifications listed below are simply a guideline, and we encourage those who do not meet them all but believe they are a great fit to apply anyway.

Background

  • At least five years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, demonstrating progressively greater responsibility

  • A track record of successful grant applications, both public and private

  • Experience raising funds for arts organizations

  • Successful development and management of individual donor programs

  • Experience with the full donor cycle, from research through prospecting, cultivation and stewardship

Management and Administrative Skills

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to develop clear and concise language and to draft, edit, and proofread writing for public and specialized audiences

  • Proficiency with budgeting and tracking income and expenses

  • Strong organizational, administrative, and time­ management skills with attention to detail; ability to understand big picture goals and needs and translate them to smaller scale tasks to implement projects with accuracy and efficiency

  • Comfort with fast-paced environment and tight deadlines; ability to prioritize multiple projects while meeting deadlines and maintaining high quality of work

  • Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to develop and manage relationships with diverse audiences as well as with donors, funders, artists, vendors, staff, and other stakeholders; ability to exercise keen judgment and maintain trust and discretion

  • Propensity for teamwork; desire to collaborate with others and ability to engage with diverse people working toward common goals

  • Apt problem solving skills; ability to think creatively to develop practical solutions and willingness to work effectively both with and without standards, templates, and supervision

Technical Skills

  • Knowledge of Saleforce or other fundraising software

  • Familiarity with research platforms and methods for grant and individual donor cultivation

  • Proficiency with Google Drive Suite, Excel, Word, presentation software, email marketing software, CRM and database tools, website platforms such as Squarespace, and social media channels; Adobe Creative Suite is a plus

Character and Motivation

  • Problem solver who is motivated to mitigate and resolve issues and challenges that arise

  • Creative thinker who enjoys innovating both independently and in a team context

  • Quick learner who is able to pick up new tools and learn new processes quickly

  • Teamworker who is motivated, highly organized, and self-directed when necessary

  • Energetic presence, with spirit of resourcefulness, flexibility, commitment, and optimism

SCHEDULE

The hours for this position are Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with occasional evenings and other hours for events and openings. The position is on-site at CUE’s Chelsea gallery space 4-5 days a week.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this position is $80,000 a year. This is a full-time, exempt, permanent position. Health insurance, generous paid time off, and pre-tax transit are included in CUE’s employee benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send a cover letter detailing your experience and interest in the position and in CUE Art Foundation, along with your resume, to apply@cueartfoundation.org. Please combine both documents into a single PDF file, and put the title of the position in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Finalists will be notified by CUE. No phone call or email inquiries, please.

CUE Art Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, age, ability, origin, sexual orientation, religion, familial status, arrest or conviction record, or military status, among other factors. Candidates from underrepresented backgrounds or with non-traditional experiences who otherwise would be deterred from applying are highly encouraged to submit an application.