Description:
TITLE: Program Director

LOCATION: Boston, MA

TERMS: Full-time, permanent

START-DATE: August or September 2016 (flexible)

SUMMARY:

VIA Art Fund’s Program Director is the organization’s key programmatic leader and is primarily responsible for directing VIA’s grantmaking and patron education programs. The Program Director also plays an integral role in donor relations and oversees the Program and Development Assistant. The Program Director reports directly to VIA Art Fund’s President and Board of Directors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grant Administration (60%):The Program Director is responsible for leading the ongoing growth and development of VIA’s grantmaking processes, as well as researching and networking with prospective artists, curators, museum directors and other organizational leaders to introduce VIA’s grant program and to actively solicit grant applications. As a public-facing ambassador for the organization, the Program Director works closely with prospective applicants to recommend and refine incoming proposals, as well as with VIA patrons, to provide in-depth knowledge and context during the grant decision making process. Additionally, the Program Director is responsible for managing VIA’s open source grant application process, which includes the tracking and initial vetting of all Letters of Inquiry; corresponding with applicants; managing the grant pipeline report; researching artists and proposed projects; writing grant executive summaries; tracking grantee assets and reports; and organizing multiple grant reviews per year for VIA staff, Grant Advisory Committee members and Partners. The Program Director will also function as a key point of contact for VIA’s Curatorial Fellow.

Patron Education & Donor Cultivation (30%):The Program Director is responsible for the development of all elements of an exciting and dynamic patron education program centered around the organization’s grantmaking. This includes developing and organizing a robust calendar of events in multiple cities; interfacing with artists, curators and institutions; planning multi-day travel excursions and creating and managing budgets for each event. The Program Director is assisted in this work by the Program & Development Assistant, who coordinates RSVPs, patron registration and payments, and assists with general planning and logistics. Additionally, the Program Director occasionally shares responsibility for further patron engagement and donor cultivation, in conjunction with VIA’s executive leadership.

Website & Communications (10%):The ProgramDirector will manage the donor and grantee communication calendar; draft content for e-newsletters, event invitations, bulletins and other donor correspondence; and supervise the Program & Development Assistant who will disseminate this correspondence, manage social media accounts, and handle website updates. Additionally, the Program Director will write the bi-annual grant impact report for VIA donors, oversee the organization’s communications and PR strategy, working in tandem with PR consultants; and direct VIA’s design agency in the creation of marketing materials, and overall website functionality and design.

Personnel Management (ongoing):The Program Director is responsible for supervising VIA’s Program & Development Assistant.

Qualifications:
· B.A. in Art History, Arts Administration or related field; M.A. preferred

· Minimum of 6-8 years of professional experience working in contemporary art or cultural philanthropy, preferably in grants administration, fundraising, public programming or arts administration

· Excellent oral and written communication skills, strong research and analytical skills

· Strong knowledge of contemporary art landscape and visual artists

· Excellent donor cultivation skills and ability to interface/engage with diverse group of patrons

· Ability to think and act independently, strategically and creatively, and to synthesize ideas and put into action

· Demonstrated ability to manage various team members (VIA’s Program & Development Assistant, and any interns) and outside consultants

· Fluent in social media platforms; savvy with content strategy and audience development

· Mission driven and goal oriented; meticulous, with a demonstrated ability to multi-task and problem solve; exercises good judgment, integrity and common sense; team player who thrives in fast-paced, collaborative atmosphere; remains calm and poised under pressure

· Occasional travel, and weekend and evening hours required

How To Apply:
Submit a one-page cover letter, C.V., two professional writing samples, and three professional references in PDF format to hr@viaartfund.org. No phone calls please. All submissions will be kept in the strictest confidence.
Apply by:
August 15, 2016