DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR (FULL-TIME, EXEMPT, $58,200)

coLAB Arts, a socially-engaged arts organization in New Brunswick, NJ, produces high-quality work across creative disciplines in response to local social issues and in partnership with advocacy organizations and communities. Our vision is to create more livable, sustainable, and exciting environments through art.

About the Role

The Development and Communications Manager is an on-site position supporting all external-facing communications and individual and institutional fundraising. This role is supervised by the Producing Director and serves as coLAB Arts’ primary internal coordinator for development and communications, working with staff leadership and the contracted marketing partner. Responsibilities include maintaining timelines, gathering and approving materials, leading fundraising writing and administration, and ensuring responsibilities are clearly assigned.

This position coordinates grant applications, fundraising initiatives, and all communications collateral (including original copy, photo assets, partner graphics, etc.). The role is not expected to personally execute every communications deliverable; coLAB Arts’ contracted marketing partner handles digital advertising, graphic design, social media, newsletter layout, and branding assets.

This role is best suited for someone who is an excellent self-starter, communicator (written and verbal), and effective at managing their own work schedule. The successful candidate is driven to support artists and community organizers in creating high-quality work with real community impact.

Responsibilities

Communications

• Coordinate working relationship, deadlines, and deliverables from contracted marketing partner
• Respond to community comments on social media including Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube
• Coordinate development of new organization presence on TikTok
• Draft press releases, cultivate media contacts, and update calendar placements
• Cultivate partnerships for project and community-based outreach including organizations, businesses, and influencers
• Coordinate special projects, such as promoting the Monthly Artist Grant and developing merchandise
• Coordinate the production of project assets including flyers and posters for print and online distribution
• Coordinate content and layout for bi-weekly newsletter
• Coordinate and contribute to the development of website content, including event and project pages
• Coordinate rollout of new website currently in development
• Research and secure conference speaker and op-ed placement opportunities for senior leadership

Development

• On-site support for cultivation functions and fundraising/board events (evenings and weekends)
• Grant application and report management for institutional funders including local, state, and federal agencies, private and corporate foundations, and family foundations
• Draft and/or revise grant applications in collaboration with other coLAB Arts staff for both legacy funders and new opportunities
• Interface and work with partners outside of the organization on collaborative grant applications
• Administer coLAB Arts’ donor management software and system; communicate directly with individual donors, including ongoing stewardship, end-of-year statements, and other timely communications
• Coordinate coLAB Arts’ individual donor program, which includes participation of staff and board
• Coordinate coLAB Arts’ end-of-year and mid-year fundraising campaigns, special appeals, and a new capital campaign
• Research new grant application opportunities as appropriate to coLAB Arts’ mission and partnerships

Qualifications

• B.A. degree or equivalent, with at least 3 years of professional experience in communications or fundraising for arts, nonprofit, boutique, or corporate agencies
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong computer skills, including knowledge of mail merges and Excel
• Experience with various CRM systems, G-Suite, and Google Drive
• Comfort with new technologies, chatbots, and language models
• Detail-oriented with organization, project management, and time management skills
• Ability to perform tasks independently
• Ability to work cooperatively, foster team spirit, and maintain a positive demeanor
• Ability to solve problems independently and negotiate solutions with challenging partners
• Ability to clearly communicate needs and expectations to staff supervisor
• Commitment to the vision and values of coLAB Arts

Physical Expectations

• Personal computer
• Personal vehicle and valid driver’s license
• Occasional early morning and/or evening/weekend work hours (flex time eligible to offset irregular hours)

Pay

$58,200 per year