Job Opportunities at The Crucible

Development Director

The Crucible (http://www.thecrucible.org) is an Oakland, California-based arts center focusing on industrial arts and the hub of a vibrant community of artists. The Crucible offers classes in blacksmithing, welding, glass, metal casting, fire dancing, neon, woodworking, and other industrial arts to almost 5000 students each year. The Crucible’s Youth Outreach program has served over 3000 youth, 50% are on scholarship from the West Oakland community.
The Crucible produces two innovative events: the Fire Arts Festival, an open-air event celebrating fire and light artists, and an annual anniversary event, which combines traditional arts and fire arts in a theatrical spectacle.

Mission: The Crucible is an educational facility that fosters a collaboration of Arts, Industry and Community. Through training in the fine and industrial arts, The Crucible promotes creative expression, reuse of materials, and innovative design while serving as an accessible arts venue for the general public.

Reports To: Executive Director

Staff Reporting to Development Director: Full-time Development Associate, contracted Grant Writer, and contracted sponsorship solicitor.

Classification: The Development Director position is classified as full-time: 40 hours per week position.

Start Date: June 1st.

Basic Function:
The Development Director provides the leadership, strategic direction, management and coordination for all Crucible fundraising efforts. The Development Director creates fundraising strategies that increase the organization's support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources. The Development Director plays a key role in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major donors for capital and annual gifts. The Development Director works in close collaboration with the Executive Director, Development Committee and senior staff to achieve the fundraising goals of the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, administer, and implement all fundraising activities of The Crucible
• Develop annual and long range fundraising plans in collaboration with the Executive Director and Development Committee
• Maintain a proactive, creative leadership role in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and tracking of individual, corporate and foundation contributions
• Cultivate and directly solicit key donors, working with the Executive Director and Board, as appropriate
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with the philanthropic community, individual and corporate donors, sponsors, board members and volunteers
• Develop, manage and implement capital fund drives as needed
• Establish priorities for contracted grant writer and oversee the preparation, writing and reporting of government and foundation grants
• Prepare and/or oversee all direct mail letters, case statements, grants, brochures, and sponsorship proposals required to support fundraising efforts
• Coordinate the donor experience at Crucible events, and galas in collaboration with the event coordinator and production staff
• Oversee Development Associate’s management of annual membership program
• Oversee the Development Associate’s effort to ensure that all donors are appropriately thanked and receive regular communication
• Serve as a visible spokesperson and advocate for The Crucible’s mission and programs in the funding community
• Provide detailed reports about fundraising progress to the Executive Director and Development Committee on a regular basis
• Manage the development department in a fiscally sound manner by ensuring that the appropriate systems, staffing and procedures are in place to support fundraising goals
• Serve as a member of The Crucible's senior management team

The ideal candidate will have the following experience and qualifications:

• At least three to five years of proven experience managing a complex fundraising program in a non-profit organization with a reputation for quality and excellence
• A successful track record of personally identifying, cultivating and soliciting individual donors, corporations and foundations
• A record of measurable results in organizing and implementing such activities as: major gifts, annual gifts, grant writing, corporate and foundation giving, direct mail and special events
• Skilled and experienced writer in the areas of communication and solicitation
• Ability to effectively gain the respect and support of various constituencies, including board and staff members, donors and foundation and civic leaders
• A track record as an effective communicator
• Demonstrated experience in managing people and budgets
• Computer and Internet literacy with knowledge of Word, Excel, Quick Books, Filemaker Pro and other database programs
• Bachelor's degree preferred

Personal Qualities:

• Enthusiastic about The Crucible’s mission and programs
• Highly entrepreneurial, resourceful and flexible
• A focused strategist who is adept at planning, prioritizing, multi-tasking, organizing and following through
• A team builder with strong skills in management and leadership
• A catalyst with vision, who can create excitement and energy around The Crucible's programs and encourage others to support the organization

Benefits:

• Health benefits include medical and dental.
• Free Crucible class per quarter
• Very flexible hours and vacation time, casual atmosphere and a relaxed work environment.

Compensation: Negotiable and commensurate with experience.

Applications will be taken through the end of May, 2008.

TO APPLY:
(Please do not apply without sufficient experience)
While The Crucible fully appreciates all who have an interest in sculpture, education, the arts, fire, & the like, we are seeking an experienced development professional. Please sign up for a class or become a volunteer if you want to get involved in The Crucible… Thanks!

Subject line: Development Director

E-mail: cover letter, resume, salary history and 3 reference contacts to: sabina@thecrucible.org
No faxes, letters or calls please!

The Crucible is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation.

Managing Director

The Crucible (www.thecrucible.org) is an Oakland-based arts center focusing on industrial arts and the hub of a vibrant community of artists. The Crucible offers classes in blacksmithing, welding, glass, metal casting, fire dancing, neon, woodworking, and other industrial arts to almost 5000 students each year. The Crucible’s Youth Outreach program has served over 3000 youth, 50% are on scholarship from the West Oakland community.

The Crucible produces two innovative events: the Fire Arts Festival, an open-air event celebrating fire and light artists, and an annual anniversary event, which combines traditional arts and fire arts in a theatrical spectacle.

The Crucible is an educational facility that fosters a collaboration of Arts, Industry and Community. Through training in the fine and industrial arts, The Crucible promotes creative expression, reuse of materials, and innovative design while serving as an accessible arts venue for the general public.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Managing Director

Reports To: Executive Director

Staff Reporting to Managing Director: Human Resources Staff, Volunteer Manager, Marketing and Public Relations Director
Classification: The Managing Director position is classified as full-time.
Start Date: August 2008

Summary:
The Managing Director oversees the day-to-day management and administration of The Crucible. Major areas of responsibility include human resources and staff management, project management, management of strategic initiatives, development of policies and procedures, administration of contracts and insurance policies, management of permits and licenses, oversight of office systems and community/government relations. The Managing Director is the senior member of the staff management and policymaking team, taking the lead role in internal affairs, and works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to identify goals and strategies to ensure operational stability.

Primary Responsibilities:
• Direct the effective and efficient day to day operations of The Crucible
• Lead strategic planning processes for development of short and long range goals and objectives and ensure implementation, evaluation and communication of results
• Coordinate with the Controller to develop The Crucible’s budget
• Direct the allocation of resources in accordance with the goals and mission of The Crucible
• Direct and support staff in their work
• Maintain an entrepreneurial and professional working atmosphere where open communication encourages creativity, stability and achievement
• Lead staff management initiatives including direction of the staff management and policymaking team, professional development opportunities, trainings, etc.
• Oversee human resource related business such as performance reviews and personnel files, orientation experience and benefit plans
• Oversee marketing and promotion of The Crucible’s programs and brand
• Develop policies and procedures as needed
• Act as a liaison with staff, departments, board and community contacts, taking the lead role in the organization’s internal affairs and projects requiring the cooperation and resources of multiple departments or entities
• Manage special projects including contract design, vendor or service provided agreements and administration
• Maintain, renew and establish all necessary business or other permits and licenses on behalf of The Crucible
• Track and manage all insurance policies for The Crucible including employee health, workman’s comp, business liability, event, property, directors and offices and automobile
• Act as liaison for all city, county and state offices pertaining to the operations of The Crucible including oversight of federal nonprofit status
• Manage and maintain office administration including systems and equipment
• Oversee office technology development and serve as primary contact for IT consultants
• Direct and evaluate the work of subordinate administrators
• Provide support to the Executive Director and the Board as needed
Experience: The ideal candidate will have the following experience and qualifications:
• At least three to five years of proven experience managing business operations at a non-profit organization with a reputation for quality and excellence
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic planning processes
• Strong budget development and management skills
• Proven ability to effectively manage resources and projects across departments
• Substantial supervisory experience with a management style that emphasizes team building and respect and support of individual expertise
• Excellent problem solving and negotiating skills
• A track record as an effective communicator and presenter
• Ability to gain the respect and support of various constituencies, including board and staff members, contractors, community and civic leaders
• Experience setting policy and procedure
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Computer and Internet literacy with an understanding of technology systems
• Minimum education--Bachelor's degree required
Personal Qualities: The Managing Director will be:
• Enthusiastic about The Crucible’s mission and programs
• Highly entrepreneurial, resourceful and flexible
• A self starter willing to take initiative and play an active role in shaping the position but able to take direction
• A focused strategist who is adept at planning, prioritizing, multi-tasking, organizing and following through
• A team builder with strong skills in management and leadership

Reviews: Performance reviews scheduled annually.

Compensation: Negotiable and commensurate with experience.

To Apply:
Subject line: Managing Director
E-mail: cover letter, resume, salary history and references to sabina@thecrucible.org

The Crucible is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation.

Teaching Opportunities at The Crucible

The Crucible is always seeking new faculty and class proposals.

The Crucible, a nonprofit arts education community organization is currently seeking instructors for arc welding, wood working, stone carving, and kinetics. If you have experience and interest in teaching fine and industrial arts to the community, we encourage you to apply!

The Crucible faculty is comprised of Bay Area artists, tradespeople, artisans and educators who teach innovative educational programs to students of all ages, experience levels and areas of interest. The Crucible seeks a staff of broad diversity and strongly encourages women and people of color to apply.

Class Proposals and Faculty Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Your class may also be considered for a different semester in the future depending on studio availability. Please note that applying does not guarantee acceptance.

Download the Class Proposal and Faculty Application
Use this form to propose new classes, if you are applying as new faculty or if you would simply like to provide updated information. We prefer this application to be sent in a digital format - either as email attachment or on a CD.

Class Proposal and Faculty Application Form [Word Document: 248k]
Class Proposal and Faculty Application Form [pdf: 122k]

Please return completed form to:

We look forward to hearing from you!

Non-discrimination policy: The Crucible does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation.

Tax status and privacy statement: The Crucible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All information is confidential; we do not sell, trade, donate or otherwise distribute information on our members, faculty, volunteers, students and donors.