Location: Clifton Forge, Virginia
Reports to: Board of Directors
Employment Type: 32-35 hours per week
Compensation: Commensurate with experience — $30,000 - $35,000

Organization Overview

The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, showcasing, and promoting the visual arts and craft traditions of the Alleghany Highlands region of Virginia. Through gallery exhibitions, a shop selling artists’ works, classes, and community events, the Center serves as a regional hub connecting artists, collectors, and the public.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is the chief administrative and operational leader of the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, responsible for the organization's overall management, financial health, community engagement, and strategic growth. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director works in close partnership with the Board, staff, member artists, volunteers, and community stakeholders to advance the Center's mission and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide vision and leadership in developing and executing the organization's strategic plan.

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and public representative of the Center to the community, media, and partner organizations.

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors on governance matters, policy development, and long-range planning.

• Working with the Education Committee and Curator, develop and manage art classes, workshops, and community programming that align with the Center's mission.

• Seek means for cooperative ventures with other area organizations.

• Attend Board of Directors monthly meeting as well as standing meetings when necessary

• Assume Cashier duties at least one day per month as scheduled and as required to fill vacancies

• Encourage Board of Directors to appoint and maintain functionality of standing committees

• Report problems to proper officers or committee chairman

Fundraising & Development

• Lead fundraising efforts, including grant writing, individual donor cultivation, corporate sponsorships, and special events.

• Research and pursue local, state, and federal grant opportunities relevant to arts organizations.

• Compile and maintain statistics concerning the Center for use in grant proposals, reports, market analyses, etc.

• Maintain and grow relationships with existing donors and members while cultivating new sources of support.

Operations & Staff Management

• Supervise staff and volunteers, including hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management.

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the facility, propose actions and goals for enhancing the Center’s service, and supervise the Center’s paid employees.

• Ensure the facility is well-maintained and manage relationships with vendors and contractors as needed.

Community & Marketing

• Develop and implement marketing strategies, including social media, press outreach, and print materials.

• Build and maintain partnerships with local schools, businesses, tourism organizations, and other community groups.

• Represent the Center at community events, regional arts councils, and networking opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in arts administration, business, nonprofit management, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).

• Minimum of [3–5] years of experience in nonprofit management, arts administration, or a related leadership role.

• Demonstrated experience with fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations.

• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and financial reporting.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Genuine interest in and knowledge of the visual arts; experience working with artists is a plus.

• Proficiency with standard office software and familiarity with point-of-sale, membership, or donor-management systems.

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for exhibitions, events, and community functions.

Preferred Qualities

• Experience working with a nonprofit board of directors.

• Strong ties to, or willingness to become embedded in, the Alleghany Highlands community.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify new revenue streams and program opportunities.

• Comfort working independently in a small-organization environment where the Executive Director may also perform hands-on tasks.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references to Donna Beirne, Interim Executive Director at highlandsartsandcraft.org@gmail.com mail to Donna Beirne, Interim Executive Director, Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, Inc. P.O Box 273, Clifton Forge, VA 24422. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.