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Executive | Creative Director

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San Antonio — firmly planted in Native American, Spanish, and Mexican history, along with later German, Czech, Polish, and other settlements — today has a metro area population of 2.2 million and is on the cutting edge of clean energy, biomedical, and cyber-security industries. This seventh largest city in the U.S. is also 15-25% functionally illiterate in English, depending on who’s counting. If you see a major disconnect in this picture and are community-oriented and passionate about literature and literacy, read on.

Gemini Ink, the only literary arts center in South Central Texas, seeks an ardent Executive | Artistic Director who can actively build on its mission to nurture writers and readers through literature and the related arts and who:

• Understands and can articulate how and why literature and literacy are inseparable

• Knows the work of diverse contemporary writers and writing – including literary, popular, regional, and global practitioners (Doesn’t hurt to be a published writer!)

• Can design creative programs responding to the literary and literacy needs of a community that is 57% Latino with a rapidly growing global population (Doesn’t hurt at all to speak Spanish!)

• Has significant experience in literary arts management and artistic direction, including budgeting, strategic planning, and best practices in the field, as well as booking attractive seasons of teaching and performing writers for a diverse community

• Has experience with government and foundation funding mechanisms and preferably has served on peer panels at local, state, national or international levels

• Is creative about fundraising, project partnerships, and community building – from the board to inner city and suburban neighborhoods

Gemini Ink is a nationally respected literary nonprofit offering dynamic programs that serve some 5,000 culturally diverse participants annually via more than 100 literary events, writing workshops, and classes for readers. Our annual budget is in the $450,000 range, and our staff of six (including the Executive Director) is supported by a strong cadre of interns and volunteers. Salary for this position begins at $50,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Candidates must have at least a B.A., and demonstrate proven leadership, non-profit organizational management, literary arts, and interpersonal skills, including persuasive public speaking, along with a significant history of community service.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Gemini Ink,the only literary arts center in South Central Texas, champions the right of all citizens – “literary” or not – to share their stories and inner lives, vitally growing their self-esteem and sense of community. Our work also builds the critical thinking, reading, writing, and verbal skills essential to a healthy and economically thriving populace. We offer creative writing workshops, readers’ seminars, literary performances and readings, community conversations, and interdisciplinary lifelong learning for participants of all ages and levels of proficiency – from school children to elders and polished professionals to adjudicated teens. In a rapidly growing city that is 57% Latino and increasingly boasts diverse populations from all over the globe, we represent a creative response to San Antonio’s alarming 15-25% functional illiteracy in English.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive | Artistic Director is the chief executive officer and artistic program designer of this 501(c) (3) corporation, a nationally respected literary arts center impacting community literacy through the creative process. The Executive | Artistic Director reports to the board, who set policy and are actively supportive in fundraising. The Director spearheads fund development and is responsible for overall artistic design and management of the organization in keeping with best practices in the field of community-based literary arts teaching and presenting. This position requires significant evening and weekend work.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees artistic design, development, promotion, delivery, and quality of all Gemini Ink programs and events (Review at www.gemini ink.org)

• Researches and maintains a current understanding of the work of regional, national and international writers of diverse cultural and aesthetic practices

• Leads fund development efforts with the active support of the board of directors and advisory committees; maintains, along with the board, productive relationships with existing donors and identifies and cultivates potential donors

• Supervises staff, interns, and volunteers; assures the implementation of best practices in the field of literary arts administration; hires and dismisses employees based on approved personnel policies; evaluates staff on an annual basis and adjusts salaries as warranted

• Supervises maintenance of detailed funding compliance mechanisms – including the requirements of  government, foundation, and individual donors regarding acknowledgments, fulfillment, reporting, and documentation

• Works closely with Gemini Ink’s financial officer to monitor revenues and expenditures, ensure fiscal accountability and health, and maintain appropriate internal financial controls to safeguard Gemini Ink assets, all in accord with auditor recommendations, board policies, and best practices in non-profit management

• Supervises and participates in design of annual organizational and program budgets and timely financial reports for approval by the board and presentation to funders, program partners, and the community

• Implements Gemini Ink policies and priorities as established by the board; supports board operation and administration by advising and keeping board members informed; acts as ex officio board member and works with the board to achieve the organization’s goals and plans

• Prepares long-range plans with the full cooperation and participation of the board, including strategic directions and capital needs

• Serves as the public face of the organization locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally and assures that Gemini Ink’s mission and programs are consistently presented clearly and positively

• Develops and maintains relationships with other arts and community-oriented organizations, public and private entities, the business sector, and the general public at local, regional, and national levels

• Actively engages in communications plans and artistic program strategies that continually widen the impact and visibility of Gemini Ink’s work in the local community, the region, and beyond

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary begins at $50,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance and two weeks’ vacation each year.

TO APPLY

Applicants should study our website closely before applying. Please send a one-page statement of interest, along with resume/vitae, including three professional references, to search@geminiink.org. Attachments should be sent as Word documents. No phone calls please.

Application review begins January 16, 2012 and continues until the position is filled.

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Internships

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Gemini Ink has openings for internships in four areas. The days and hours are flexible. See below for details on each position.

University Without Walls Intern

Duties include:

• Assist with setting-up and closing down of Gemini Ink classes and events
• Pick-up out-of-town faculty from airport. Introduce them to Gemini Ink facilities
• Represent Gemini Ink at public functions and within the community
• Update Catalogue Archives
• Contribute to our website design and upkeep
• Assist in editing and production of tri-quarterly course catalogues
• Research ideas for possible UWW classes and faculty members
• Brainstorm and implement public relations/marketing ideas to fill classes
• Maintain class/instructor evaluation process: input responses, correspond with faculty
• General office organization

Qualifications: Motivated, proactive individual needed with skills or a strong interest in public relations, research/evaluation, coordination/management, program development/planning, public speaking, writing/editing, fundraising/grant writing preferred. Excellent grammar and writing skills required. Writing samples a plus.

Majors: English, Marketing/PR, Graphic Design, Journalism

Writers in Communities Intern

Job Description: Gemini Ink, San Antonio’s grassroots, community-based literary arts center, has an opening for a Writers in Communities (WIC) intern. This program sends professional writers into diverse community settings to work alongside students of all ages, needs, interests, and abilities in free workshops based in oral traditions, reading and creative writing. Many of the workshops result in a published anthology. WIC intern duties include research, project planning, letter writing, editing, proofreading, data entry, and book & broadside design.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about the literary arts, education and community building; an excellent writer; organized and detail-oriented with an interest in book design and publishing. Candidate must have a working knowledge of Adobe InDesign. Photoshop helpful. Must have a car. Bilingual (Spanish-speaking) also helpful.

Majors: English, Graphic Design, Communications, Education, or related

Development Intern

Schedule: Mon., Wed., Thurs., and/or Fri.
Hours/Week: 8-12
Wage: Unpaid
Duties include:

• Assist in maintaining paper and electronic grant files
• Assist with assembling and delivering grant application packages and reports
• Research potential funding sources
• Work as part of the staff team for special events

Qualifications: Extremely strong writing and organizational skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Passionate interest in writing and commitment to community service a plus.

Majors: English, Education, Communications, Journalism

Communications/Marketing Intern

Duties include: Assisting the Communications Director in promoting and marketing four major programs (Writers in Community, University without Walls, Dramatic Readers Theater, and the Autograph Series); performing general office support such as filing, clipping and organizing news items; updating online calendars; writing press releases and newspaper articles; updating website, researching media placement opportunities, pitching media stories, distributing flyers and attending literary events.

Qualifications: Strong organizations skills and experience with MS Office and Adobe Suite programs are needed. Excellent grammar and writing skills required. College-level classes in communications/public relations/marketing/jounalism and knowledge of database/web management as well as graphic design are a plus.

Majors: English, Communications, PR, Journalism or Marketing

Application Instructions for All Internship Positions:

Email résumé and cover letter communications@geminiink.org. Please put INTERNSHIP and your are of interest in the subject line.