Chief of Engagement

About Us

Arts for Learning Maryland (formerly Young Audiences of Maryland) is devoted to enriching the lives and education of Maryland's youth through educational and culturally diverse arts programs. Arts for Learning has grown steadily over the past decade, resulting in a $17M budget and over 60 office staff, approximately 400 seasonal employees, and 100 independent contractors. Through Arts for Learning, professional teaching artists from all disciplines partner with educators, schools, and school districts to provide -- on average -- over 560,000 hours of learning in, through, and about the arts to more than 155,000 Maryland students annually.

Arts for Learning is a mission-driven organization that values community, innovation, and passion. The staff, board, and teaching artists have a shared commitment to advance equity in the field of education by working tirelessly to generate opportunities for students to imagine, create, and realize their full potential through the arts.

Job Description

Through effective communications and development, the Chief of Engagement will ensure that Arts for Learning realizes its long term strategic goals, which include both expanding and deepening its impact across the state, demonstrating positive outcomes that bring the organization greater credibility and influence in the field, and increasing and diversifying its revenue to ensure longer term financial sustainability. This position will have primary responsibility for establishing and implementing the infrastructure needed to grow our impact, community, and budget through fundraising (major gifts, grants, special events, corporate and foundation support, and special projects); programmatic and institutional marketing; and public relations.

This is a full-time, exempt position that serves as a key member of the C-level leadership team and reports to the CEO. This is a hybrid position allowing for flexibility between virtual and in-person work subject to the A4L return to work policy.

Responsibilities Include

Leadership

• Establish a clear vision, set of goals and guiding philosophy for the development and communications team so they know what success looks like, as well as how you measure and monitor its progress.
• Leading a department of 9 people, including managing two or three direct reports, holding regular check-ins, ensuring that they have the support they need to be successful in their roles, and directly contributing to their growth as employees and future leaders within the organization.
• Model managing and leading the A4L way and coaching team members to grow in these competencies.
• Embody the attributes of an antiracist leader, including actively reflecting, learning and growing, and reimagining existing systems and practices, in order to advance Arts for Learning equity goals.
  
  

Fundraising Strategy

• Develop an ambitious and bold fundraising strategy that achieves annual financial goals aligned with the organizational budget, and grows and diversifies A4L's donors base and pipeline for the future. In the next five years, this fundraising strategy will include an ambitious three year $6.5 campaign to support the organization"s strategic plan
• Leverage the talent and enthusiasm of the board and volunteers to achieve results
• Work closely with the CEO on board engagement, management and recruitment and the Major Gifts officer to steward the solicitation of Board gift giving.
• Ensure strong relationships with both current institutional and individual donors and prospective donors, both through direct relationship management and leadership of the development team in maintaining and building strong relationships.
  
  

Communications Strategy

• In partnership with the Communications Director, create, implement, and lead a unified institutional marketing and communications strategy that strengthens our brand identity and meets budget and programmatic goals.
• In partnership with the Communications Director, collaborate with program leaders to support their direct marketing needs with appropriate prioritization based on annual goals.
• Ensure the strategy for all communication, including website, social media, public relations messaging, and marketing collateral consistently articulate A4L's mission.
• In partnership with PR Consultants and Communications Director, oversee media relations, executive communications, issues/crisis management, internal communications, and organization reputation.
  
  

Financial

• Oversee fiscal management of communications and development in collaboration with the finance team, including developing the annual department budget, monthly reporting and completing reprojections
• Ensure that budgets are managed,monitored and reconciled,pledges are collected, and the team knows and is equipped to meet their target goals.
  
  

Qualifications

This individual plays a pivotal role within the organization, and the position requires a results and people-oriented leader with strong fundraising, communication, planning, and staff mentorship skills. While no one candidate will possess every quality outlined for this position, the successful candidate will fit many of the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

• Exceptional manager, with an inclusive leadership style and experience working directly with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Adept in fundraising and communications, understanding what the challenges are in these fields and what the strategic opportunities are for A4L.
• Proven skills in fund development that leads to increased contributed revenue and greater diversification of funds.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to be diplomatic, honor confidentiality,build consensus, and effectively prevent and resolve conflicts.
• Demonstrated ability to form and maintain strong collaborative partnerships with board members, volunteers, and staff.
• Skilled at leading through transitions and expansion.
• Experience in budget development, forecasting, monitoring, and reporting in a timely manner.
• Knowledge of fundraising, including, development planning, annual giving, major gift cultivation and solicitation, and grant writing.
• Knowledge of communications planning, social media, and public relations.
  
  

Compensation

We offer a starting annual salary of $115,000 and an attractive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision healthcare coverage, retirement contributions, and a flexible paid time off policy.

To Apply

For consideration, please apply on our website at artsforlearningmd.org. Please do not send applications that include headshots or photos of yourself. No phone calls or recruiters, please. All employees will be subject to a federal and state background check in accordance with state and federal law.

Arts for Learning Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to cultivating a diverse workforce and equitable workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, veteran status, and disability. All qualified applications will be given equal opportunity.

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