Applications due July 1, 2019

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POSITION OVERVIEW

The Center for Craft is looking for a full-time Craft Research and Innovation Manager to develop and support the Center’s national field building programs, which seek to increase the value and relevance of craft to society through awarding grants and fellowships, convening thought leaders, documenting and disseminating research, and creating leadership initiatives in the field.

The Craft Research and Innovation Manager will oversee the Center’s ambitious annual grant and fellowship program, including the management of data, counseling of applicants, coordination of the selection processes, and evaluation of grant impacts. They will organize and produce an annual convening of grant recipients to ensure their continued professional development, and provide key project support for the Center’s other national convenings including an annual Craft Think Tank and conference. The successful candidate will plan and develop dissemination strategies for the Center’s national field building programs, including overseeing the Craft Research Collection housed in the Center’s downtown Asheville gallery.

The Craft Research Manager is responsible for maintaining financial and administrative grant records with accuracy and timeliness as well as expenditures within budget. They will provide key support in grant writing and reporting for field building projects.

This position is full-time and exempt with occasional evenings/weekends and reports to the Assistant Director and Curator. The position will supervise contractual support and/or interns. Starting salary is $42,000 with full benefits to include Medical/Dental, Life Insurance, LTD and STD, and 401K as well as 3 weeks paid leave and recognized federal holidays.

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QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have an MA in Art History, Design History, Decorative Arts, Material Culture, American Studies, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.  A working knowledge of the American craft field is highly preferred. The following skills, qualities and experiences are also a priority:

• Organized, self-motivated planner that may work independently;
• Solid understanding of grant-making processes and reporting requirements;
• Strong communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills with the intent to develop and maintain positive relationships;
• Proven expertise in written communication, including texts developed for both general and specialist/scholarly audiences (social media, blogs, articles, reports, etc.)
• Demonstrated proficiency in systems used to track, evaluate, and monitor grants and projects;
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail; and
• Advanced computer knowledge to include Google Drive, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Suite.

JOB DUTIES

• Manage grants and fellowship programs, including call for applications/nominations, developing the online application and review process (Slideroom), counseling applicants to ensure deadlines and requirements are met, preparing for the selection committee process, processing grant payments, and evaluating program outcomes.
• Develop and maintain relationships with grant recipients and key external program partners; create content and storytelling related to grantees for marketing and social media; maintain grant archive on the Center’s website; oversee and plan annual Fellows Connect;
• Increase the impact of the Center’s field building program by creating and implementing documentation and dissemination strategies for craft research, including overseeing the Center’s Craft Research Collection and organizing craft research related exhibits and events; keeping grant and project archive up to date; ensuring database contacts are current and relevant; evaluating grant database and content systems for effectiveness and updates.
• Project planning and support for national field building programs, including the Craft Think Tank and national conferences; manage and track project timelines and budgets;  work with speakers, partners and other program constituents to develop content, asses and coordinate set-up needs, and meet marketing deadlines; conduct post-event evaluation and reports.
• Support the organization’s grant-writing activities, including researching, preparing, and tracking grant proposals and reports; monitor grant prospects with a master schedule including deadlines for renewals and reports, archive previous grants; Collaborate with Development Director on the drafting of grant proposals and reports; Manage the grant application process by drafting and editing proposals and reports with input from the Development Director, solicit and/or draft letters of support and other documents .

The Center for Craft is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals on the basis of age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status. The Center encourages applications from traditionally under-represented minority populations. Submitting an application does not constitute a promise or guarantee of employment.

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SCHEDULE

This position will be regularly scheduled to work Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Occasional nights and weekend hours are required.

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‍TO APPLY

All application materials are due by July 1, 2019. Please send the completed employment application, cover letter, C.V., and 2 writing samples (up to 500 words each) to Marilyn Zapf at [email protected].

Offer of employment is contingent on successfully passing a background check.

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR CRAFT

Founded in 1996, the Center for Craft (formerly The Center for Craft, Creativity & Design) is the leading organization in the United States identifying and convening craft makers, curators, and researchers, and matching them with resources, tools, and networks to advance their careers. Over the years, the Center has become a vital community resource, serving thousands of visitors annually. As a national 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the field of craft, the Center administers more than $300,000 in grants to those working in the craft field. Follow the Center at centerforcraft.org, and on Facebook and Instagram.

See job posting HERE.