Job Description

Development Manager (P/T, $27,000/year, 20 hours per week)

coLAB Arts ( engaging artists, social advocates, and communities to create transformative new work, is seeking out a Development Manager for a rapidly growing arts organization in New Brunswick, NJ, located in the traditional territory of the Leni-Lenape called “Lenapehoking.” coLAB Arts produces high-quality work across creative disciplines and in response to local social issues, 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:

1. Project commissioning across creative disciplines and bilingual English/Spanish audiences including dance, public art, theater, storytelling, visual art, comics, civic engagement, and public history; 
2. 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;
3. Oral history collection, research, and digital archive stewardship; and
4. Artist residencies and programming in a newly renovated studio and public event space in Downtown New Brunswick.

The Development Manager reports to the Producing Director and will provide oversight for coLAB Arts’ grant reporting and individual donor program, and will work with artistic staff on new grant applications and institutional funding strategies. The Development Manager will also administer coLAB Arts’ donor management software and donor communications. 

The Development Manager is a part-time hybrid position, with on-site support required for cultivation functions, and fundraising and board events which take place on evenings and weekends. This job is best suited for someone who is effective at managing their own work schedule, an excellent self-starter and communicator (both written and verbal), and has a strong track record of writing successful grant applications or authoring other impactful written pieces to advance an organization’s interests. The successful candidate is driven to support artists and community organizers and help them thrive in creating high-quality work with real community impact.

Position Responsibilities Include:

• Grant application and report management for institutional funders including local, state, and federal agencies, private and corporate foundations, and family foundations
• Writing grant applications in collaboration with other coLAB Arts staff for both legacy and new funders
• Interface and work with partners outside of the organization on collaborative grant applications
• Administer coLAB Arts’ donor management system and communicate directly with individual donors, including end-of-year donor statements and other timely communications throughout the year
• Administer coLAB Arts’ individual donor program, which includes participation of staff and board
• Administer coLAB Arts’ end-of-year and mid-year fundraising campaigns and special appeals
• Research new grant application opportunities as appropriate to coLAB Arts’ mission and partnerships

Physical Expectations: 

• Personal computer
• Personal vehicle and valid driver’s license
• Occasional 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 3-5 years of professional grant writing and development management experience for arts, nonprofit, boutique, or corporate agencies
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong computer skills, including knowledge of mail merges and using intermediate to advanced features in Excel 
• Strong experience with various CRM systems, G-Suite, and Google Drive
• Detail-oriented with organization, project management, and time management skills
• Ability to perform a substantial number of tasks independently
• Ability to work cooperatively, foster team spirit, and maintain a positive demeanor
• Experience working with complex organizations
• Ability to solve problems independently and negotiate solutions with challenging partners
• Ability to clearly communicate needs and expectations to staff supervisor
• Commitment to the vision and values of coLAB Arts

Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the preferred qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation: $27,000 per year, 20 hours per week

coLAB Arts does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, disability, national origin, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship or authorized alien status, or veteran status.

Please use the following links for further information about our organization:

Our response to recent xenophobic and anti-Muslim vandalism of one of our murals

Full Land Acknowledgment, accessibility information, and location directions

Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and three references. Applications are now being accepted and the search remains open until the position is filled, though strong preference will be given to those who apply by May 31. coLAB Arts is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. You can visit our website, and find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @colabarts.

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