coLAB Arts (www.colab-arts.org), engaging artists, social advocates, and communities to create transformative new work, is seeking a Development and Communications Manager for a socially-engaged arts organization in New Brunswick, NJ. coLAB Arts produces high-quality work across creative disciplines in response to local social issues and in partnership with advocacy organizations and communities of the greater New Brunswick, NJ area. coLAB Arts’ vision is to create more livable, sustainable, and exciting environments through art. coLAB Arts’ current programming includes:A new fine art and public art outdoor festival in Downtown New BrunswickProject commissions across creative disciplines and bilingual English/Spanish audiences including dance, public art, theater, storytelling, visual art, comics, civic engagement, and public history; Arts education programming including 3 weeks of free summer youth programming, teacher professional development, and in-school residencies focused on racial and social justice curriculum integration;Oral history collection, research, and digital archive stewardship; andArtist residencies and programming in a newly renovated theater and event space and artist studios and gallery space in Downtown New BrunswickThe Development and Communications Coordinator is an on-site position and supports all external-facing communications and individual and institutional fundraising. This position is supervised by the Producing Director and serves as coLAB Arts’ primary internal coordinator for development and communications, working with staff leadership and the contracted marketing partner. The Coordinator will maintain timelines, gather and approve materials, lead fundraising writing and administration, and ensure responsibilities are clearly assigned. This position is the coordinator for grant applications, fundraising initiatives, and for all communications collateral (including original copy, photo assets, partner graphics, etc.), new grant applications, and fundraising efforts. The role is not expected to personally execute every communications deliverable. coLAB Arts’ contracted marketing partner handles digital advertising, graphic design, social media, newsletter layout, and the creation of other branding and communication assets.This job is best suited for someone effective at managing their own work schedule, an excellent self-starter and communicator (both written and verbal), with a track record of writing successful grant applications or authoring other written pieces to advance an organization’s interests. The successful candidate is driven to support artists and community organizers to help them thrive in creating high-quality work with real community impact.Communications responsibilities include:Coordinate working relationship, deadlines, and deliverables from contracted marketing partnerRespond to community comments on social media including Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTubeCoordinate development of new organization presence on TikTokDraft press releases, cultivate media contacts, and update calendar placementsCultivate partnerships for project and community-based outreach including organizations, businesses, and influencersCoordinate special projects, such as promoting the Monthly Artist Grant and developing merchandiseCoordinate the production of project assets including flyers and posters for print and online distributionCoordinate content and layout for bi-weekly newsletterCoordinate and contribute to the development of website content, including event and project pagesCoordinate rollout of new website currently in developmentResearch and secure conference speaker and op-ed placement opportunities for senior leadershipDevelopment responsibilities include:On-site support is required for cultivation functions, and fundraising and board events that take place on evenings and weekends. Grant application and report management for institutional funders including local, state, and federal agencies, private and corporate foundations, and family foundationsDraft and/or revise grant applications in collaboration with other coLAB Arts staff for both legacy funders and new opportunitiesInterface and work with partners outside of the organization on collaborative grant applicationsAdminister coLAB Arts’ donor management software and system; communicate directly with individual donors, including ongoing stewardship, end-of-year statements, and other timely communications throughout the yearCoordinate coLAB Arts’ individual donor program, which includes participation of staff and boardCoordinate coLAB Arts’ end-of-year and mid-year fundraising campaigns, special appeals, and a new capital campaignResearch new grant application opportunities as appropriate to coLAB Arts’ mission and partnershipsPhysical expectations: Personal computerPersonal vehicle and valid driver’s licenseOccasional early morning and/or evening/weekend work hours (flex time eligible to offset irregular hours)Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:B.A. degree or equivalent, with at least 3 years of professional experience in communications or fundraising for arts, nonprofit, boutique, or corporate agenciesStrong communication skills, both written and verbalStrong computer skills, including knowledge of mail merges and Excel Experience with various CRM systems, G-Suite, and Google DriveComfort with new technologies, chatbots, and language modelsDetail-oriented with organization, project management, and time management skillsAbility to perform tasks independentlyAbility to work cooperatively, foster team spirit, and maintain a positive demeanorAbility to solve problems independently and negotiate solutions with challenging partnersAbility to clearly communicate needs and expectations to staff supervisorCommitment to the vision and values of coLAB Arts
