Metalwerx, an innovative nonprofit school and community studio in Massachusetts, seeks an experienced and energetic Executive Director to begin leading the organization in August 2024. The Board of Directors and Search Committee are currently accepting nominations and applications for the position.
To Apply:
Email résumé and letter of interest (in PDF format) to: [email protected]
To Nominate:
Email your nomination’s name, preferred email and phone contact information, and a brief paragraph about why you think they would be well-suited for this opportunity to: [email protected]
ABOUT METALWERX
Metalwerx is a nonprofit jewelry and metalworking school in Waltham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1998, Metalwerx advances the art of jewelry and metals through exceptional classes, studio space, and events for personal and professional enrichment within a supportive community of artists and learners.
During the pandemic while in-person classes were paused, Metalwerx introduced a new virtual class model and brought their expansive curriculum online to reach thousands of artists and students. Today, anchored by its New England base, Metalwerx has an international presence, and the school is lauded for its wide range of classes and welcoming community of artists, students, instructors, donors, and volunteers.
Now in its 26th year, Metalwerx is at an exciting moment of growth. There is opportunity and demand to expand in-person and virtual programming. A growing membership base and partner relationships offer new opportunities, and the evolving field of jewelry/metalsmithing education presents an opportunity for a school like Metalwerx, with a reputation for inclusivity and expertise, to grow.
POSITION SUMMARY
Metalwerx seeks a talented Executive Director to lead the organization at this pivotal stage. This is an opportunity for a motivated, visionary leader with experience in much of the following: nonprofit and/or education administration, staff mentorship, programming, budget management, and community building and outreach.
The Executive Director will serve as the principal representative of Metalwerx, providing leadership to the community of staff, instructors, students, donors, and volunteers. The Executive Director will bring vision and strategic planning to build on Metalwerx’s success: strengthening current operations, exploring new revenue streams, expanding the community, and implementing a sustainable strategic plan. Balanced with strategic responsibilities, the Executive Director will also oversee day-to-day operations, and supervise a small staff team and contractors. With support from the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will direct fundraising and the Metalwerx budget.
Responsibilities include:
Financial Management and Fundraising
- Create and implement long-term fiscal strategies and budgets that optimize the utilization of Metalwerx facilities, classes, faculty, and operations.
- Routinely provide budgeting and forecasting reports to the Board of Directors.
- Actively solicit contributions and cultivate donor relationships, including grants.
Class and Program Management
- Support staff in class/event planning, assessment, and relationship development.
- Report on enrollment statistics and student demographics to the Board of Directors.
- Identify new revenue-generating opportunities that align with the Metalwerx mission and maximize the facilities and faculty.
- Establish a sustainable process to assess current programs and identify new opportunities based on educational and community demand, fiscal viability, and mission success.
Administration and Management
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Maximize staff productivity, efficiency, and creative thinking while demonstrating fiscal responsibility and modeling effective organizational leadership.
- Manage the Metalwerx team including staff, volunteers, and contractors; conduct formal staff reviews on an annual basis and provide informal mentorship and professional development throughout the year.
- Develop a productive volunteer program.
Community Outreach
- Serve as the face and representative of Metalwerx within the broader community, deepening relationships with current partners, studiomates, and instructors as well as developing new community relationships to benefit Metalwerx.
- Develop and implement initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, expanding outreach and access to programs.
- Strengthen relationships and expand partnerships between Metalwerx, the city of Waltham, community organizations, and funding sources.
- Expand the Metalwerx scholarship fund and program to serve community needs.
Marketing
- Promote and represent Metalwerx as a leader in metalsmithing arts education.
- Collaborate with the Marketing Strategist to develop communication, marketing, and branding strategies to expand Metalwerx’s reach, grow the school’s reputation, and increase registrations.
- Serve as a Metalwerx representative at in-person events, interviews, and video opportunities.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal Executive Director will be a thoughtful and engaging leader with a deep background in organizational management. They bring a level of professionalism and a creative vision that builds upon the history of the organization. With strong resource management skills and a strategic vision, they will identify underutilized assets, increase existing revenue streams, and generate new revenue opportunities.
They place a high value on building relationships internally and externally and possess strong interpersonal and communication skills. The selected candidate will be a partner to the Board, staff, instructors, students, artists, and community stakeholders.
They are able and willing to learn on the job to gain skills as needed.
Skills and Knowledge
- Leadership: Organizes and motivates people to accomplish goals while facilitating a sense of order, direction, and active participation among a variety of stakeholders.
- Entrepreneurial: Have the mindset to creatively explore new earned income possibilities.
- Financial Acumen: Effectively evaluate revenue generation potential and fiscal viability.
- Goal-Oriented: Works collaboratively with Board, instructors, and staff to set realistic and attainable goals and prioritizes activities to meet objectives.
- Decision Maker: Welcomes the ideas of others and utilizes effective processes to make decisions while creating clear internal and external communication strategies.
- Artist, Educator, or Metalsmith: It is a plus, but not required, for the Executive Director to have a background or interest in arts education, jewelry making, or metalsmithing.
Professional Qualifications
- 5-7 years nonprofit management experience, educational management experience is a plus.
- Experience managing multiple revenue streams.
- 5 years supervising staff and engaging key stakeholders such as artists, instructors, and students.
- Bachelor’s degree required; relevant advanced degree is preferred.
- Strong personal communication skills.
- Skills in the following (or the ability to learn more about): marketing, fundraising, organizational strategy, and community engagement.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This is a full-time in-person position. Compensation starting at $95,000, commensurate with experience, also includes a standard benefits package including health insurance, employee-paid 401K, paid time off, and sick pay.
Metalwerx is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.