Ucross is seeking a Communications Manager to forward the mission of the renowned artist residency program, art gallery, and creative laboratory for the arts. This is a unique opportunity to join the Ucross team.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Communications Manager is responsible for coordinating communications activities, branding/design, events, and fundraising activities. This position is charged with helping to 1) raise Ucross’s profile across several key constituencies; 2) support Ucross’s efforts to engage new audiences and strengthen current relationships; 3) present Ucross’s programs, brand, and special initiatives in a positive, professional, compelling way, and 4) working with the President/Executive Director and Deputy Director to boost revenue. Applicants interested in a hybrid work schedule are welcome to apply.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Creates and implements strategic marketing campaigns, targeting local, statewide, and national audiences to promote the artist residency program, gallery, events, and partnerships
• Maintain Ucross’s editorial calendar, which includes coordinating and creating content for press releases, social media posts, email marketing, and other promotional materials and publications as assigned
• Following and upholding the Ucross brand, designs brochures, programs, posters, and other graphics
• Supports with planning and implementing internal and external events, such as the Ucross Art Gallery receptions, annual Community Christmas Celebration, and board retreats
• Maintains and develops outreach and/or invitation lists
• Assists with special projects, such as the website redesign, giving societies, and alumni database procedures
• Assists with all appeals and direct mail projects, including project coordination and vendor communication; ensure timely delivery of appeals, as well as processing and tracking
• Assists with grants, proposals, sponsorship packets, appeal letters, pledge cards, and other content
• Assists with collateral material (case statements, naming opportunities, pitch deck, videos, and presentations, etc.), and other content, as directed
• Attends board meetings and prepares minutes for each meeting, and assist with board materials, if needed
• Other duties as assigned

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience)
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• Strong graphic design skills in Adobe Creative Suite
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate professionally to a range of stakeholders 
• Sense of humor
• A commitment to accuracy and an attention to detail 
• Relevant computer skills, including Office 365
• Strong project management skills, with the demonstrated ability to handle multiple high-priority tasks simultaneously
• Experience in communications, graphic design, fundraising, and/or administrative support

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary range is $60,000-65,000, commensurate with experience, with a generous benefits package, including: 

• Health and dental insurance
• Life and short-term disability insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Generous paid time off

Ucross is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU School of the Arts (VCUarts) invite nominations and applications for the position of Executive Director of the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA).

The ICA has become a focal point of Richmond’s energetic arts district, serving as a nexus for creativity and inclusion, where innovative thinking and transformational ideas are drawn from a spectrum of disciplines. In a striking building designed by Stephen Holl, the ICA is positioned minutes away from the highly regarded Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, with easy access to museums, galleries, and institutions up and down the East Coast. Unlike museums that house permanent collections, the ICA’s responsive exhibitions and performances invite audience engagement and challenge visitors to experience and examine art in unexpected ways.

The ICA seeks a visionary leader who will provide the creative vision, leadership and strategic direction to further shape its role as an outstanding arts institution and part of the highly-ranked VCUarts. The executive director will be a convener of extraordinary ideas and a curious, inspiring, innovative, entrepreneurial, and experienced collaborator who brings to the role a record of achievement reflective of the ICA’s standards of excellence.

Reporting directly to the Dean of VCUarts, who also serves as the Special Assistant to the Provost for VCUarts Qatar, the executive director has a secondary reporting relationship to the University Provost. This position is an Executive and Senior Leader Staff position; however, candidates may be eligible for a term (non-tenure eligible) faculty appointment depending upon their qualifications and experience. The executive director could teach in a discipline that aligns with their area of expertise. Within the context of VCUarts’ mission, the executive director will leverage the ICA’s unique positioning in an arts and design school, within an R1 research university, at the intersection of Richmond’s rich and diverse community.

The successful candidate will hold a terminal degree in a relevant discipline and will have proven experience in administration and a strong track record in fundraising, development and budgeting, supplementing their capacity for driving dynamic, innovative and experimental programing. This individual will closely collaborate with the faculty, key volunteer leaders, staff, students, and community to incorporate the ICA into VCUarts’ strategic plan that aligns with the university’s strategic plan, Quest 2028: One VCU Together We Transform.

 

The Grants + Sponsorships Manager is a full-time, non-exempt in-person position that reports to the Executive Director and works closely with a small team to advance the institution’s fundraising goals and help build meaningful relationships with donors and supporters. This position serves as a critical liaison between the organization and its funders—government, foundation, and individual donors. As such, this individual is primarily responsible for grant management processes, including researching, preparing, writing, submitting, monitoring, tracking, and reporting existing and annual grants and identifying strategies for new funding opportunities. This position requires strong writing and communication skills, knowledge of data management and analysis, program budgeting, project management skills, with an emphasis on outcome measurement.

Essential duties and responsibilities 

- Research and identify sources of support along with the Executive Director and proactively seek new funding sources.
- Develop grant proposals based on the Bakehouse’s operating and program funding needs and as aligned with the criteria of funding sources.
- Oversee the preparation and submission of grant proposals, including assembling research, data collection, writing, budget information and reporting.
- Prepare grants proposals, online applications, letters of intent, concept papers, reports, follow-up letters, thank you letters and other donor and grant-related documents, as needed.
- Provide grant editorial assistance and application guidance to other team members.
- Identify and pursue new opportunities for revenue generation and long-term plans for revenue growth.
- Identify grant/donation reporting requirements and coordinate the execution and submission of interim and final grant tracking reports for budget and grantor management purposes.
- Maintain the grants management calendar and prepare for monthly internal grants management reports.
- Prepare sponsorship proposals and related documentation.

Qualifications

- Minimum of three years’ comprehensive experience in a non-profit development operation, preferably in an art museum or cultural institution.
- Knowledge of grant writing strategies and techniques for corporate, foundation, and government sources.
- Demonstrated experience and success in grant writing and reporting for government, foundation, and private donations.
- Expertise in the management, use of, and content analysis of CRM databases and integrations (such as Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or Bloomerang) to manage donor information and track fundraising progress.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, stakeholders, and partners, both externally and internally, to effectively represent Bakehouse to its multiple audiences and funders, new and prospective.
- Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Value diversity and inclusion, and the ability to work across teams and engage a variety of stakeholders.
- Enthusiastic self-starter with organizational and time-management skills to work independently to meet multiple deadlines.
- Flexibility and the ability to make thoughtful independent decisions in a fast- paced and dynamic environment.
- Attention to detail and a commitment to data accuracy.
- Ability to analyze data to track progress and make informed decisions.
- Persuasive and articulate communicator and active listener with strong written and presentation skills.
- Willingness to work occasional weeknight and weekend hours for events as needed. Some travel, both local and regional, may also be required. Flexibility is key.

Nice to Have

- A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
- Experience with Google Suite or similar tools for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- Familiarity with tools such as Excel, Google Analytics, or Tableau to analyze data and track performance metrics.
- Experience with tools such as Asana, Trello, or Basecamp to manage projects and tasks.
- Knowledge of tools such as Slack, Zoom, or Google Meet to collaborate with team members remotely.
- Experience with graphic design tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or GIMP to create graphics and visual elements for marketing and communications materials.
- Knowledge and passion for the arts and culture.