Director of Programs, Providence Athenaeum, Providence, RI
Posted September 2, 2016
The Providence Athenaeum, a private, nonprofit membership library dedicated to the promotion of the humanities, seeks a culturally-engaged, well-read, and enthusiastic Director of Programs to lead its expanding and nationally recognized public humanities-based programming.
Deadline for applications: September 30, 2016
Please send a cover letter and resume to: [email protected]
Letters may be addressed to:
Matt Burriesci
Executive Director
Providence Athenaeum
251 Benefit Street
Providence, RI 02903
Principal Job Duties
The Director of Programs oversees the coordination and administration of ongoing programming at the Athenaeum, including planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and managing program activities. Principal duties include:
- Program development. The Director of Programs plays a lead role on the Program Development team, and is essential in developing unique content for the Athenaeum’s salon series, book groups, member events, and other public programs.
- Partner cultivation. The Director of Programs engages with the cultural and academic community of Providence and the surrounding area, and builds partnerships with academic institutions and departments, arts organizations, libraries, publishers, and other organizations to further the Athenaeum’s public mission.
- Program logistics. The Director of Programs is responsible for the organization and execution of all public events, including securing speakers, arranging travel, lodging, and catering, volunteer management, and upward feedback mechanisms.
- Budgeting. The Director of Programs develops and monitors an annual budget in coordination with the Executive Director and Business Manager.
- Promotion and sponsorship. The Director of Programs seeks to serve and broaden Athenaeum constituencies, and to help secure support for public programming (in coordination with the Director of Membership & Development). The Director also manages the Athenaeum’s extensive “happenings around town” listings.
The ideal candidate would be:
- Culturally literate. Be aware of current trends in the arts and humanities, and be willing to understand the cultural milieu of Providence and the region. Ideal candidates would possess a humanities-based college degree.
- Intellectually curious. The Athenaeum develops events in the traditional humanities disciplines (literature, history, philosophy, and political science) as well as arts-based programs and programs dealing with politics, economics, and science and technology.
- Be enthusiastic about the role of humanities in the public arena! The Athenaeum believes in the transformative power of the arts and humanities. It is our mission to welcome and enrich the educational and cultural pursuits of our members and the community. We encourage a diverse public to engage in spirited conversation.
- Engaging and collegial. The Athenaeum is a membership library, and the Director should be able to establish and cultivate strong relations with members and donors, as well as partners, staff, board, and other Athenaeum constituencies.
- Be highly organized. Have familiarity with Excel or other spreadsheet/database concepts, be strong in advance planning, and be detail-oriented.
- Have experience with event management, especially in a nonprofit environment. The director should have 3-5 years of experience in event management.
Schedule and working environment
The Director of Programs is a full-time position (40 hrs/wk), but a flexible schedule is available, as this job requires some evening and weekend work (the programming season is typically September through May). The Providence Athenaeum is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, located in the heart of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, just blocks from Brown University and RISD.
Salary and benefits
$50,000-$55,000, commensurate with experience. The Athenaeum offers an attractive benefits package, including health insurance, a 401K contribution, and four weeks of paid vacation.