JOB POSTING: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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About Us

 

Drag Story Hour NYC (DSH NYC) produces storytelling and creative arts programs for children and teens, presented by local drag artists, in libraries, schools, and other community spaces in all five boroughs of New York City, and virtually. Through fun and fabulous educational experiences, our programs celebrate gender diversity and all forms of difference to build empathy and give kids the confidence to express themselves however they feel comfortable.

 

Job Overview

 

DSH NYC is at an exciting moment of growth. After six years, our founding Executive Director is leaving and we are looking for a new ED to fill her shoes! The ED will play a vital role in guiding this small, award-winning LGBTQ+ youth programming nonprofit to the next level by continuing to build a solid foundation for sustainable growth. We are looking for someone with strong leadership skills, a solid grasp of fiscal management and fundraising, and a deep understanding of the power of drag to build confidence and develop critical social-emotional skills.

 

The majority of the work can be done remotely (DSH NYC does not have a physical office space), but the ED will be required to attend some in-person meetings and events at venues across all five boroughs of NYC. The ED will be accountable to the organization’s Board and Steering Committee.

 

Job Duties & Responsibilities

 

Contract Management, Grant Writing, and Fundraising

• Maintain city and state funding contracts (NYSCA, DYCD, DCLA, etc.); keep track of funding deadlines, contract requirements, and payments; write and submit applications and reports on deadline.

• Plan and coordinate fundraising events and campaigns in collaboration with the Board and Fundraising Committee.

• In collaboration with the board and fundraising committee, sustain and expand existing donor base.

• Maintain relationships with City Council Members and Borough Presidents who currently fund our programs, and develop relationships with other potential government funding sources.

• Increase annual budget by exploring new avenues for funding, including conducting prospect research for private foundation funding and proposing additional earned income programming models.
   

Financial Management

• Manage all organizational finances: invoice partners; process payments for staff and contractors; track income and expenses; upload financial documents to Dropbox for bookkeeper.

• Review monthly/quarterly financial statements from the bookkeeper in coordination with the treasurer/board to ensure the organization is financially sound; make financial projections for income and expenses for the year; use sound judgment to provide and seek out thoughtful fiscal guidance as needed.

• Maintain and file public records with the city and state to ensure compliance.
   

Personnel Management

• Oversee the Program Director’s work of scheduling, implementation, and evaluation of public and private storytelling programs for children in libraries, schools, and other community spaces across NYC and virtually.

• Work closely with the Program Director, with guidance from the Storytellers, Board, and Curriculum Committee, to strategically plan programming with DEI and curriculum goals in mind; work with the Program Director to ensure programming goals are met.

• Oversee the Program Director’s work tracking and managing program data using Google Sheets and other databases/platforms as required by funders.

• Manage staff, storytellers, event facilitators, volunteers, and committee members; provide regular feedback and conduct annual evaluations.

• Maintain job descriptions and contracts for staff and volunteers; schedule and facilitate regular check-ins to ensure a smooth workflow and positive organizational culture.

• Onboard new staff, storytellers, event facilitators, volunteers, and committee members as needed.
   

Communications

• Maintain the organization’s program contact and supporter email lists; update website content as needed.

• Maintain communications with Board, Steering Committee, and the larger DSH NYC community of supporters and volunteers; cultivate new members of these groups.

• Schedule and facilitate regular Steering Committee meetings, Storyteller meetings, and Event Facilitator meetings to ensure input from key players in organizational affairs.

• Oversee social media strategy; provide support and guidance for social media and graphic design volunteers.

• Field press inquiries and conduct press outreach as the face of the organization; cultivate relationships with partner organizations that can support the organization’s communication needs and train staff and storytellers to respond to press requests in challenging situations. 

• Maintain line of communications with Drag Story Hour organizations across the globe to support Drag Story Hour as a global program and DSH NYC’s mission and image locally.
   

Curriculum Development

• Work closely with the Program Director and Curriculum Committee to develop and expand DSH NYC’s menu of fun and fabulous educational programs for people of different ages and abilities; identify and plan developmentally appropriate reading materials, activities, talking points, and trainings

• Maintain strong line of communications with Storytellers and provide regular opportunities for feedback for and from Storytellers, in collaboration with the Program Director and Curriculum Committee.

• In collaboration with the Program Director, Curriculum Committee, and Storytellers, plan monthly trainings for Storytellers on a variety of topics.

 

Requirements

 

There are no educational prerequisites for this position. A standout candidate will:

 

• Possess strong leadership and diplomacy skills and be comfortable in a management position; a track record of direct supervisory experience and/or staff development responsibility is considered a plus;

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of and enthusiasm for the mission of DSH NYC, and a strong commitment to setting and implementing DEI goals;

• Demonstrate experience with at least some of the following: grant writing and reporting, government contract management, private foundation relationship management, donor and board cultivation, and fundraising;

• Possess strong communication skills (written and in person), attention to detail, and follow-through;

• Commitment to promotion of a collaborative, non-hierarchical organizational culture of mutual respect, support, and sharing;

• Ideal but not required: background in education, familiarity with drag as an artform, knowledge of LGBTQ+ history, issues, and current events.

 

Salary

 

• This position is 32 hours per week with an annual salary of $60,000-70,000.

 

To apply

 

Please email resume and cover letter to info@dqshnyc.org by September 16, 2022. 

Ideal start date: October 11 2022

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DSH NYC is an equal opportunity employer with a social justice mission. People of color, people with disabilities, trans/queer people, and parents are especially encouraged to apply.