Library Foundation Executive Director

Bismarck, City of•Bismarck, ND

9d•Onsite

About The Position

This part-time on-site position for approximately 20 hours per week is responsible for developing the Bismarck Library Foundation, Inc. (BLF) donor base and growing financial support for operating, endowment, and the library’s special project needs. The role involves working as a team with the BLF Administrative Officer under the supervision of the Library Director with oversight from the BLF Board of Directors. The Executive Director will work with the BLF Board of Directors and six standing committees to meet the BLF's mission of enriching publicly-funded library services by raising private funds to enhance collections, resources, and facilities. This includes managing the BLF office, planning and prioritizing tasks, researching and submitting grant proposals, conducting board and committee meetings, providing monthly activity reports, overseeing annual giving clubs, and working with the events committee on annual events. The position also involves serving as editor and writer for the BLF’s newsletter, developing content for publications, drafting media releases, maintaining webpages, utilizing social media, developing goals and objectives, recommending revisions to the strategic fundraising plan, and overseeing the creation of the annual budget. Frequent communication with the BLF Administrative Officer, BLF Board of Directors, and Library Administration is essential to ensure smooth operations.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree is required.
A minimum of three years of progressive experience in fundraising, public relations, technical writing, or a similar setting is required.
Must thoroughly understand the principles and practices of foundation work.
Must have proven organizational ability to develop and maintain accurate ongoing records.
Must be able to interface and engage diverse volunteers and donor groups.
Must have strong public speaking ability.
Must have demonstrated proficiency in verbal and written communication.
Must be able to understand and communicate library policy to the public.
Must understand and regularly review the City of Bismarck’s employee policies and the library’s operational policies and procedures.
Must be familiar with, affirm, and uphold the library’s guiding principles: mission, vision, and value statements.
Must carry oneself with professionalism and integrity with all internal and external library stakeholders, assuming positive intent in others’ actions, words, and behaviors.
Must have demonstrated ability to work effectively under busy and stressful conditions.
Must be flexible with the ability to adapt to changing priorities, processes, and work environments.
Must adhere to the library’s Dress Code Policy.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
City of Bismarck does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of experience working for a non-profit foundation is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop the Bismarck Library Foundation, Inc. (BLF) donor base and grow financial support for operating, endowment, and the library’s special project needs.
Work with the BLF Board of Directors and six standing committees to meet the BLF's mission of enriching publicly-funded library services by raising private funds to enhance collections, resources, and facilities.
Use verbal, written, and visual communication methods to communicate with current and potential donors about the BLF.
Build rapport and trust with donors in a manner that is compatible with the mission and vision of the BLF and Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library.
Manage the BLF office with the BLF Administrative Officer.
Plan, organize, and prioritize tasks to meet established goals.
Engage in the research, composition, and submission of grant proposals for the library through the BLF, focusing on large capital campaign grants, annual grants, and special projects.
Work with the BLF Board of Directors and Administrative Officer to conduct monthly board meetings and committee meetings.
Provide written monthly activities reports for review at the BLF board meetings.
Oversee annual giving clubs (Ben Franklin 100 Club, Gold Card Club and Novel Club) and apply strategies to encourage increased membership in each club.
Work with the events committee to carry out annual events, including an employee appreciation luncheon, a spring fundraising event, and the Pearce Award.
Keep informed of planning and activities of the library and the general community, which relate to or impact the BLF's work.
Maintain an active membership in one or more community organizations.
Serve as editor and writer for the BLF’s newsletter, The Limited Edition.
Develop layout, graphics, and written content for publications such as brochures, flyers, e-news, and donor correspondence.
Draft media releases and coordinate news conferences.
Ensure all written material undergoes established proofreading and editorial workflows before publication or external release.
Maintain webpages and utilize social media on behalf of the BLF.
Work with the BLF Board of Directors to develop a yearly list of goals and objectives.
Develop and periodically recommend revisions to the strategic fundraising plan for the BLF's future direction.
Oversee the creation of an initial draft of the annual budget for use by the finance committee.
Review the BLF’s financial statements and budget.
Communicate frequently with the BLF Administrative Officer, BLF Board of Directors, and Library Administration to ensure smooth overall BLF and library operations.
Perform other duties of a comparable level/type as required.