Executive Director

Executive Director Position – DreamWrights Center for Community Arts

DreamWrights provides creative educational experiences through inclusive intergenerational performance, theatre, and arts programming. As a midsized non-profit arts organization located in York County, PA, we are an inclusive employer with a strong history of growth, change and forward focus.

We are in our 28th year and our Executive Director of 16 years is retiring. The new Executive Director will lead our small team of 5 (Artistic Director, Technical Director, Communications /Admin Coordinator, and Costume Shop Manager) in building community and character through the arts.  Our staff values inclusion and acceptance, lifelong learning, leadership and mentorship, respect and responsibility, and creativity. We build character (self-worth, self-confidence, leadership, respect and responsibility) through the learning experiences inherent in creating community and art together.

We support the balance of work and homelife with hybrid work schedules, PTO leave policies, employee benefits, and professional development/continuing education opportunities.

Skills and Abilities:

Live and breathe the major gifts fundraising role – solicit and secure gifts

• Maintain relationships with foundations, corporations and donors
• Manage donor database tracking donors and move them up the giving ladder
• Identify and steward new potential donors
• Advance Legacy Giving
• Maintain and grow monthly giving program (3Cs)
• Build Educational Improvement Org (EIO) contributors
• Stay on top of giving trends and donor behavior

Lead the team with honesty, integrity and kindness with a focus on the big picture

Build and oversee an accurate budget with forecasts that reflect DreamWrights financial goals

• Work within budget to meet and grow the organization
• Work with Treasurer on monthly finance reconciliation
• Create reports in QuickBooks and Excel

Exercise clear, powerful and persuasive communication skills – written and oral

• Write compelling annual appeals, grant proposals and follow up reporting
• Thank funders by sharing inspirational stories and thoughtful questions
• Lead interactive presentations for board and staff sessions

Negotiate contracts and agreements with guest directors, designers, teaching artists, and facility rentals

Keep a “Customer” Focus - Develop strong relationships with volunteers, participants and patrons:

• Board of Directors: Build a diverse team, create agendas in BOARDnetWORK, guide productive meetings in cooperation with Board Chair, and connect their strengths with our goals
• Production Teams: provide clear communication and guidance, consistent timelines and maintain positive production procedures
• Patrons: Greet, answer questions and be a visible presence at performances and events. Maintain regular contact with donors

Work directly with Marketing to develop communication materials, keep the website up to date, and shape overall content

Oversee large building facility including maintenance and repairs, scheduling and usage of shared spaces, and community outreach

Personal and professional attributes needed:

Empathy and listening
Courage
Professional humility
Hunger for more
Openness
Organization
Conflict resolution/problem solver
Calm under pressure
Servant leadership

Professional Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree and/or two or more years of development and fundraising experience (emphasis placed on experience over education)
• Experience in supervising a team and large groups of volunteers
• Transparent and high integrity leadership style that motivates people to work hard while having fun in a creative environment
• Strong organizational abilities including collaboration, planning, delegation, program development and task facilitation
• Strong written and oral communication skills and appropriate self-confidence and the maturity to effectively promote DW while inspiring staff, board, donors and volunteers
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with staff with a “hands-on” orientation to the workplace and supervision, and the humility to be willing to take on any task at any time.
• Skilled at identifying and addressing problems effectively, finding creative solutions, and leading the organization through complex and challenging situations.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range is $60,000-$70,000 annually, commensurate with experience and other qualifications.

Benefits include:

• Flexible schedule with hybrid in-person and remote work environment
• Group Health Insurance – DreamWrights covers up to 70% of the monthly premium per FT person employed
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance (following 90 days employment)
• SIMPLE IRA with company match (following 90 days employment)
• 9 paid holidays plus PTO based on years of employment

Our timeline: we expect to begin interviews by March 13 and hire the next Executive Director to start on June 2, 2025.

How To Apply

Please send resume along with a cover letter of no more than 2 pages to Dwsearch2025@gmail.com Within your letter, answer the following:

Tell us about the time when you brought a new major funder into your circle

Share a deliverable or impact you have made on a past organization

What interests you most about DreamWrights?

How do your experiences, personal strengths and leadership abilities prepare you for this position?