Jobs at The Avenue Concept
Join our Team: Current Openings at The Avenue Concept
2023 remains a time of growth and expansion for The Avenue Concept (TAC). We are growing, challenging ourselves, and imagining new possibilities for public art. The Avenue Concept has existed as an idea for eleven years and as a nonprofit for seven. Our new hires and growing team will join our expanded Board of Directors, advisory council members, and key partners in continuing to envision and execute our new strategic and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging goals and shaping our next decade for public art.
Open Positions - Apply by Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Senior Finance and Operations Manager
The Senior Manager for Finance and Operations reports to the Deputy Director and works in collaboration with staff, volunteers, vendors, and contractors to drive processes and achieve the financial goals and objectives of the organization.
About the Role
The Senior Manager of Finance & Operations will oversee the overall administration of the organization’s day-to-day finances, budgetary needs, compliance, procurement, technology, facilities, and human resources, including invoicing, gift and payment processing, reconciliations, reporting, budget preparation, and general administrative oversight. The Senior Manager will work closely with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Board of Directors to reinforce and help ensure that TAC achieves its mission and strategic goals while maintaining a culture of learning and engagement. The Senior Manager will also oversee and work closely with both our external bookkeeper and CPA firm.
TAC is committed to providing a supportive onboarding process and working environment with clear expectations and goals.
Our Ideal Candidate
This describes our ideal candidate, and we anticipate the successful candidate will fit some but not all of the descriptions. We encourage you to apply even if you aren’t sure or are missing some of these listed skills and experience. If you have experience in bookkeeping, finance, or nonprofits, are passionate about our work, and believe you have the skills to accomplish the job, we want to hear from you.
You bring five years of experience in bookkeeping, accounting, and/or finance and have strong organizational skills. You have a BA or certificate in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field or have gained equivalent experience in a professional role. You bring experience building and managing budgets for programs, grants, and associated projects. You have experience working in nonprofits with Quickbooks and online donor management software (we use Little Green Light). You are comfortable consistently and effectively communicating with Board members, advisors, volunteers, vendors, contributors and staff, including scheduling meetings, preparing financial reports, and presenting information during in-person and virtual meetings.
You take the initiative to create the space and routines you need to work effectively, efficiently, and independently. You know that details and words matter, and you are intentional with how you show up and communicate with others. You are a systems thinker who critically analyzes information and leads with opportunity and possibility rather than complaint or deficit. You have high ethical integrity and remain committed to your values under pressure. You commit to empowerment and professional development and have experience managing and supervising staff, volunteers, or students. You demonstrate openness to change and embrace curiosity and growth. You are comfortable offering and receiving regular feedback and guidance, setting goals and expectations, and holding others and yourself accountable.
You have professional or lived experience within the city of Providence and Upper South Providence neighborhoods (where our headquarters are located and the Avenue Concept was founded), Black, Indigenous, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latina/Latinx, immigrant, or LGBTQ2S+ communities.
You are a problem-solver who can connect the dots across programs and initiatives and identify where systems and processes need adjustments. You have led or participated in collaborative decision-making processes involving diverse stakeholders, including directly affected community members, staff and Board, and external partners and community members.
You see yourself as a planner, architect, systems thinker, evaluator, and problem solver, and you are comfortable working in a hybrid environment (in-person and remote) with a small team.
Responsibilities
Fiscal Management
- Ensure compliance with the organization’s financial policies and procedures maintaining accurate financial activity records and complying with governmental and private funding source reporting requirements.
- Oversee accounting, billing, and cash control policies in adherence to generally accepted accounting principles.
- Oversee external bookkeeper, monitoring and reconciling expenses, preparing financial closeouts for projects, providing financial management of spending and budgetary compliance, and providing oversight and approvals adhering to separation of duties requirements.
- TAC works with an external bookkeeper who processes all accounts payable and receivable, prepares bank deposits, verifies receipts, processes all checks and payments, executes payroll, creates invoices, etc.)
- Maintain the confidentiality and security of business/ financial/ sensitive information.
- Lead annual, quarterly, and ongoing budgeting preparation, organizational cash flows, forecasting, and reporting for leadership and Board analyzing and presenting financial reports and forecasts in a timely manner.
- Ensure adherence to contract billing and collection schedule.
- Ensure each program lead understands its budget and has a plan to manage funds appropriately and in a timely fashion and support staff in developing budgets for grant submission.
- Coordinate and lead annual audit process; liaise with external auditors.
- Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters to the ED, Board Treasurer, and Executive Committee.
- Lead the procurement process for each program in coordination with leadership.
- Provide human resources support, including working with external HR consulting partners to oversee:
- the process for recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new staff
- compensation and benefits
- annual and regular evaluation conversations
- policies and manuals to remain up to date and in compliance with laws and regulations.
- Oversee IT, phone, copier, and other vendor contracts.
- Process and enter incoming gifts to the CRM system (Little Green Light), and work with the Deputy Director and project coordinator to acknowledge and steward all donors to the organization.
Day-to-day operations
- Assist with maintaining an institutional calendar and schedule adequate staffing for day-to-day public hours of operation, events, public programs, and facility use.
- Develop, improve, and document systems for efficient administrative procedures.
- Assist with the collection, distribution, and evaluation of program data and demographics to measure goal attainment and track impact.
- Manage vendor relationships, assist with negotiating contracts.
- Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) documentation.
- Review and update TAC’s COVID-19 response plan.
- Collaborate with leadership to maintain technology systems, subscriptions, and services
- Ensure office supplies are in stock.
- Oversee postage maintenance and mailing services.
- Assist staff with obtaining necessary event permits and licenses.
- Maintain and secure accounts and passwords and enforce confidentiality and conflict of interest and policies.
- Communicate with and schedule interns and volunteers in collaboration with leadership and staff.
- Encourage staff and volunteer development and education, and assist program staff in relating their specialized work to the total program of the organization.
- Perform other related duties as required; occasional weekend and evening hours.
Board
- Support Board and committee efforts by scheduling financial ad hoc. committee and Treasurer meetings, preparing monthly financial reports, and contributing to Board communications and presentations.
- Develop monthly financial reports, including profit and loss statements; balance sheets; narratives; cash flows, project and class reports; and presentations for staff and board meetings.
Schedule, Salary, and Benefits
- Full-time (35 hours per week), with at least three days in the office.
- Range of $55,000-$60,000 per year.
- Self-managed paid time off following the 90-day introductory period (as long as you get your work done well, on time, and have worked with the team to cover needs). We encourage staff members to take three weeks off in addition to 13 paid company-wide holidays and a paid office closure for the last week of December.
- A taxable health benefit stipend of $2,500 is paid in installments of $625 each quarter.
More Details
This is a salaried, at-will position with a flexible full-time schedule. Employees generally work Monday-Friday with some planned weekend events and activities and commit to working when necessary and convenient to meet work and personal obligations.
Employees participate in weekly staff and program meetings on Tuesdays, often via Zoom, and monthly board and committee meetings. This position will require regular in-person and Zoom meetings with staff, community members, and partners.
We have made every effort to provide compensation based on regional and local markets and have prioritized offering equitable salaries and providing benefits within our budget over the next three years.
Salaries will be reviewed each spring. In addition to paid holidays, you will be paid for your self-directed time off following the 90-day introductory period, provided that you are completing your work on time. This will be reviewed during regular check-ins and quarterly performance conversations. Personal time off includes all time off, including sick time, vacation time, holidays, and other personal reasons. This policy allows employees to take time off when they want and is arranged in partnership with the leadership team. There is no vacation, personal, or sick time accrual.
Development and Communications Manager
The Development and Communications Manager plays a key role in building awareness and support for The Avenue Concept by translating the organization’s vision, goals, and successes through storytelling. The Manager works in collaboration with staff, volunteers, vendors, and contractors to coordinate and implement strategic plans and perform administrative functions that drive engagement and action through a variety of channels including mailings, public relations and news media, social media and online giving, donor stewardship, events, website, and our digital tour app.
About the Role
The Development and Communications Manager will drive the organization’s communications to create messaging and materials to highlight the stories of artists, artwork, collaboration, and community that fuel our mission. The Manager reports to the Deputy Director and works closely with the Executive Director and staff to support and implement long-term communication and fundraising strategies by executing digital and print communications to strengthen and grow TAC’s visibility and community support.
Our Ideal Candidate
This describes our ideal, and we anticipate the successful candidate will fit some but not all of the descriptions. We encourage you to apply even if you aren’t sure or are missing some of these listed skills and experience. If you have experience in bookkeeping, finance, or nonprofits, are passionate about our work, and believe you have the skills to accomplish the job, we want to hear from you.
You bring three to five years of experience in non-profit fundraising and communications and have strong writing and organizational skills. You have a BA or certificate or have gained demonstrated experience in a related professional role. You bring demonstrated knowledge of fundraising, communications, and project management best practices and an ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines including standard fundraising techniques and development office functions. You have experience delivering social media content and a demonstrated understanding of the principles and practices to drive strategy.
You have experience working with collaborative tools, CRM, and content management systems for donors, websites, and communications. (TAC uses Little Green Light, WordPress, and Mailchimp, Google and Adobe products.)
You have experience in taking projects from inception to completion and enjoy working collaboratively and leading others to cross the finish line. You take the initiative to create the space and routines you need to work effectively and efficiently. You know that details and words matter, and you are intentional with how you show up and communicate with others. You have high ethical integrity and remain committed to your values under pressure. You commit to growth and professional development and have experience with collaborative tools and technology.
You are comfortable consistently and effectively communicating with Board members, advisors, volunteers, vendors, and staff, including scheduling meetings, preparing reports, and presenting information during in-person and virtual meetings. You demonstrate openness to change and embrace curiosity and growth. You are comfortable offering and receiving regular feedback and guidance, setting goals and expectations, and holding others and yourself accountable.
You have professional or lived experience within the city of Providence and Upper South Providence neighborhoods (where our headquarters are located and the Avenue Concept was founded), Black, Indigenous, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latina/Latinx, immigrant, or LGBTQ2S+ communities. You have participated in collaborative decision-making processes involving diverse stakeholders, including directly affected community members, staff and Board, and external partners and community members.
You see yourself as a writer, communicator, editor, presenter, and strategist, and you are comfortable working in a hybrid environment (in-person and remote) with a small team.
Responsibilities
Development
- Assist leadership in planning and directing fundraising, marketing and communications activities including social media, email newsletters, public relations, internal and external media, presentations, appeals, grant proposals, stewardship reports, and gift acknowledgments.
- Deliver content that communicates TAC’s work through data and inspiring stories to support development of proposals and stewardship to foundations and other grant-making organizations.
- Support the planning and execution of fundraising and engagement events.
- Track donors through Little Green Light software (working in partnership with Deputy Director and project coordinator to acknowledge and steward all donors to the organization.)
- Write creative and intentional thank you letters for all programs and report on program progress.
- Support leadership in coordinating development volunteers and meetings, and provide reports for Board and Executive Committee.
- Maintain the confidentiality and security of business/ development/ sensitive data and information.
Marketing Communications
- Create and maintain marketing and promotional materials, both print and electronic; brochures, one-pagers, exhibit postcards, gift recognition, and appeals.
- Maintain and grow PR lists, building connections and relationships with various media outlets and professionals, sending periodic press releases for key exhibits and activities
- Oversee and execute email marketing including newsletters, event invitations, fundraising, and engagement activities.
- Maintain website/digital content that is visually appealing and provides a rich experience to visitors.
- Maintain TAC’s white label Pocketsights digital public tour app updating exhibition tour stops; working with staff members to create content that supports TAC’s tour programming and creates an engaging experience for users. (Training will be provided during onboarding to support the Manager prior to taking responsibility.)
- Curate content and create graphics to support engagement on social media channels
- Work with staff and outside graphic partners to create plaques, signage, and promotional materials.
- Assist with the collection, distribution, and evaluation of development and communications data and demographics to measure goal attainment and track impact.
- Provide qualitative and quantitative analysis (ROI, trends) and reports to leadership and Board.
- Assist with maintaining an up-to-date institutional calendar for development and communications.
- Maintain and improve, and document systems for development and communications functions including the creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) documentation.
- Manage vendor relationships, assist with negotiating contracts, and help supervise vendors.
- Work with leadership to ensure that development and communications materials are in stock (including postcards, mail supplies, and gift and recognition items.)
- Perform other related duties as required; occasional weekend and evening work hours.
Schedule, Salary, and Benefits
- Full-time (35 hours per week), with at least three days in the office
- $48,000-$53,000 per year
- Self-managed paid time off following the 90-day introductory period (as long as you get your work done well, on time, and have worked with the team to cover needs). We encourage staff members to take three weeks off in addition to 13 paid company-wide holidays and a paid office closure for the last week of December.
- A taxable health benefit stipend of $2,500 is paid in installments of $625 each quarter.
More Details
This is a salaried, at-will position with a flexible full-time schedule. Employees generally work Monday-Friday with some planned weekend events and activities and commit to working when necessary and convenient to meet work and personal obligations.
Employees participate in weekly staff and program meetings on Tuesdays, often via Zoom, and monthly board and committee meetings. This position will require regular in-person and Zoom meetings with staff, community members, and partners.
We have made every effort to provide compensation based on regional and local markets and prioritized providing equitable salary and benefits within our budget over the next three years.
Salaries will be reviewed each spring. In addition to paid holidays, you will be paid for your self-directed time off following the 90-day introductory period, provided that you are completing your work on time. This will be reviewed during regular check-ins and quarterly performance conversations. Personal time off includes all time off, including sick time, vacation time, holidays, and other personal reasons. This policy allows employees to take time off when they want and is arranged in partnership with the leadership team. There is no vacation, personal, or sick time accrual.
The Hiring Process for Open Positions - Feb. 2023
By Wednesday, February 22 (end of day), send the following items to hello@theavenueconcept.org with “Job Application” as the subject line.
- Tell us about you – You can send a cover letter, answer the questions directly, or create a one-two minute video.Consider these questions when answering:a. What’s your motivation for applying to this role?
b. How have your skills and experiences prepared you to help us achieve the financial goals and objectives of the Organization?
c. What values guide you in your work and life?
d. What do you think the role of nonprofit organizations is in our community, and how can we, as a public art organization, make life better for people in Providence and beyond? - Share a work sample from school, work, or any other context demonstrating your relevant skills, knowledge, or qualities.
- Share your resume that shows your relevant education, training, and experience.
- Please describe if you have any time you may not be available within the planned weeks for interviews.
We will review submissions and send out interview notifications and invitations by late February. We will invite up to 3 applicants to participate in the interview process.
Applicants will be ranked by skills, knowledge, and qualities demonstrated in their application materials.
Interviews will be held virtually and we will offer early morning and early evening options. Each interview will be 1 hour long, including 15 minutes for you to ask us questions. Candidates may be invited to a second in-person interview.
We will make an offer to a successful candidate by early March.
Upon receiving an acceptance, we will notify all unsuccessful applicants of our decision.
We will move forward with the paperwork with a target start date in March.
What Your First 6 Months Will Look Like
Adapting to a new organization and team takes time. We strive to support you with a thoughtful onboarding experience and mutually accommodate our ways of doing things to incorporate your strengths and approaches with our existing and evolving systems.
Your first week will involve scheduled orientation, introductory meetings, and tasks from 9-3 pm with a scheduled lunch with a team member. You will meet all team members, get oriented with our organization, and get hands-on practice with our systems and tools. Over the next 30, 60, and 90 days, you will work collaboratively to complete your work in partnership with leadership with regular check-in meetings to reflect, review, and plan. Following the 90-day introductory period, you will gradually become more independent with your role. You will document processes as you go, building the systems which will later guide your work. By the end of the six months, you will have co-created the outcomes and measures by which your performance will be measured. You will be consistently delivering high-quality work on deadline. You will have transitioned to completing your work independently.