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Associate Director for Communications and Program Development - John Carter Brown Library

The John Carter Brown Library is an independently administered and funded...

Associate Director for Communications and Program Development - John Carter Brown Library

The John Carter Brown Library is an independently administered and funded center for research in history and the humanities, founded in 1846 and located on the main green of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island since 1901. The library collects primary historical sources pertaining to North and South America before ca. 1825. The John Carter Brown Library has one of the world's most important collections of books related to the history of the Americas across the period stretching from the arrival of Europeans in the Americas (c. 1492) through to the end of the colonial period.

The Associate Director for Communications and Program Development leads the John Carter Brown Library's strategic outreach and fundraising programs, building relationships with local, regional, national, and international partners to enhance the reputation of the JCB's world-renowned collection and supported scholarly research. By directing the Library's strategic communications, programming, and engagement efforts, the incumbent ensures that Library programs, priorities, and goals are communicated effectively through the Library's print publications, website, e-mail communication, as well as other channels internal and external to the Library. By developing and leading the JCB's fund development programs, in close coordination with the Library Director and in consultation with the Brown University Office of Advancement, the position is responsible for raising over $250,000 in annual board and membership contributions as well as long-term endowment funding initiatives. This position collaborates closely with the Library Director on matters related to fundraising, programming initiatives, communications strategy, and the Library's overarching research agenda.

 Responsibilities Include:

  1. Lead the Library's national and international outreach to external institutions, networks and peer libraries and research centers, including strategic constituencies at Brown University, current and potential members of the Library's Association of Friends and Fellows, and other local constituencies: The Associate Director for Communications and Program Development will develop and advance a comprehensive strategic communications plan to promote the Library and its programs to a wide range of audiences. With the assistance of the Coordinator of Academic Programming and Public Outreach, the incumbent will promote the JCB's activities to its myriad constituencies and publics, from Providence to the four corners of the globe. This includes research libraries throughout the Americas, cultural institutions in New England and the nation, and other important scholarly centers that relate to the Library's mission. Supporting efforts include networking, strategic planning, audience identification, message development, design oversight, and ongoing efforts to present the John Carter Brown Library at conferences involving strategic partnerships. The Associate Director will: write and produce all related publications and web communications; develop targeted communication channels, messages, and visuals that support Library goals with institutional research partners, national and international networks, donors and the broader public; oversee all aspects of publications including copy development, design, printing, and mailing of all publications projects, including special publications to support fundraising, substantive newsletters and annual reports, donor stewardship materials, marketing brochures, websites, and event publicity. Distribution will include peer institutions, international research networks, members of the Brown community (including Corporation members), alumni, donors, senior administrators, faculty, students, research fellows and peer academic institutions, and other external audiences as appropriate. This position will also ensure that the Library's web communications and website are linked to ongoing activities at the Library, including curatorial activities, public outreach, cataloguing and acquisitions, and the like.
  2. Raise annual, endowment, and external grant funds to support the Library. Work with Library leadership and others to generate increasing philanthropic support for Library programs: Develop and achieve the Library's fundraising goals, set in consultation with the Director and the Library's Board of Governors. Work closely with the Brown University Office of Advancement and Chairman of the Library's Association of Friends and Fellows to implement fundraising strategies for expanded annual giving goals, including but not limited to direct mail programs, call and e-mail strategies, planning giving, direct donor solicitation, and effective stewardship. Work with Advancement and University leadership to increase endowment giving through targeted comprehensive solicitations. Conduct donor research, serve as liaison between Advancement and the Board of Governors, develop donor cultivation and solicitation events, and oversee donor recognition. With Director and Associate Librarian, contribute to grant proposals to support Library programs, including international and interdisciplinary partnerships. This position is responsible for raising over $250,000 in annual gifts, actively increasing the Library's endowment to support ongoing and new initiatives, and developing new sources of external funding.
  3. Advising the Director on Matters related to Communications, Public Relations, and Fundraising and Assisting Overall in Fulfilling the Mission of the Institution: The Associate Director for Communications and Program Development reports directly to the Director/Librarian of the JCB. As a result, it is essential that the incumbent be cognizant of the larger strategic goals of the institution and serve as a supportive member of the Library's senior staff. The Associate Director will work closely with the Director to plan major initiatives and develop implementation strategies, serving as a resource of the director to develop internal policies. In public settings, the incumbent would be expected to discuss and reinforce current programs and activities as s/he discusses the history and traditions of the institution. It is also important that the Associate Director function as a project manager for long-term projects that are conceived of by the Director and carried out by all divisions of the Library, including but not limited to fundraising, communications, programming, and publications.
  4. Supervise staff members who coordinate academic programming, public outreach, and fellowship program: The Associate Director for Communications, Programs, and Development will also supervise two staff positions: the Coordinator for Academic Programming and Public Outreach and the Fellowships Coordinator. The first position will support many of the activities of the Associate Director, working in close collaboration to advance institutional priorities. The second position, chiefly responsible for managing the Fellowship program, will also work closely with the Associate Director to provide information on the research activities of fellows and help to hone the communications strategy with regard to ongoing and future research priorities.

 

Qualifications:

¨      Advanced degree strongly preferred

¨      Minimum of 7 to 10 years of relevant work experience, with background in development and/or public relations strongly preferred. Proven ability to solicit gifts and work with major donors essential

¨      Ability to interact with a wide variety of constituencies, locally, nationally and internationally. These include Board members, University administrators, librarians, research fellows and scholars, and members of the general public

¨      Familiarity with foreign languages and knowledge of history/geography would be desirable, but not required

¨      Discretion in handling donor data; ability to maintain confidentiality regarding financial information.

¨      Accomplished and strategic communicator with excellent writing, public speaking, fundraising, presentation, and planning skills, including grant and proposal writing. Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.

¨      Experience with Blackbaud or other donor management software and/or information management skills a plus.

¨      Management experience and demonstrated leadership capacity.

 

Other Information:

Must occasionally be able to work at night and on weekends because of planned events and activities during those times, as well as occasional travel for professional meetings and scholarly activities.

The successful candidate must pass a criminal background check and education verification.

To Apply: Applications may be submitted through Brown University's career opportunities website: https://brown.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/staff-careers-brown/job/John-Carter-Brown-Library/Associate-Director-for-Communications-and-Program-Development---John-Carter-Brown-Library_REQ126242

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

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