Executive Director

Metalwerx, a nonprofit jewelry and metal arts school in Massachusetts, seeks an Executive Director to begin leading the organization in August 2024. 

Founded in 1998, Metalwerx advances the art of jewelry and metals through onsite and online classes, community studio space, and events within a supportive community of artists and learners. Now in its 26th year, the school has expanded from serving the greater Boston and New England region to providing instruction, community, enrichment to jewelers and metalsmiths around the world.

Metalwerx seeks a motivated leader with experience in nonprofit and/or education administration, staff mentorship, programming, budget management, and community building and outreach to step into the role of Executive Director.

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 combine vision and strategic planning to build on Metalwerx’s successes and explore new opportunities. Balanced with strategic responsibilities, the Executive Director will also oversee day-to-day operations, the Metalwerx staff team, and finances. 

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

• 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.

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.

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.