Development & Operations Coordinator 

This position will remain open until filled, applications submitted on or before March 22, 2025 will receive full review.

COMPENSATION

$65-75,000 per annum depending on experience

Full-time exempt with competitive benefits package. Benefits include health insurance  (vision, dental, FSA), paid time off, and an employer-supported 401(k) retirement plan.

LOCATION

This is a hybrid position, with flexible in-person schedule, located near Taghkanic, NY (not accessible by public transportation). Forge is located on the unceded, traditional and ancestral lands of the Moh-He-Con-Nuck, The Peoples of the Waters that Are Never Still. Today the Moh-He-Con-Nuck reside in Wisconsin and are known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans. Further details on working conditions below.

ABOUT FORGE PROJECT: 

Forge Project is a Native-led non-profit organization whose mandate is to cultivate and advance Indigenous leadership in arts and culture. Located on the ancestral homelands of the Moh-He-Con-Nuck people, Forge is situated on a 60-acre campus in the Mahicannituck (Hudson river) valley. A change-making model for Native cultural self-determination and leadership, Forge fuses traditional and contemporary knowledge and practices to build community, public education, and collective action.

Forge seeks a new core team member to join us in shaping a new, decolonial future and who shares our vision of Native self-determination and governance. We are guided by the leadership of the Indigenous Steering Council, the Board of Directors, Executive Director and Chief Curator Candice Hopkins (Citizen of Carcross/Tagish First Nation), and Director of Indigenous Programs and Relationality Sarah Biscarra Dilley (yaktityu tityu yak tiłhini). Embarking on our second full year as an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Forge Project is excited to welcome a new staff member to our highly collaborative team.

POSITION SUMMARY:  

Forge Project is seeking a highly organized communicator with excellent writing skills. The Development & Operations Coordinator will support development communications and database maintenance, as well as scheduling, event planning, and operational administration. This position reports to both Development Manager and Strategy & Operations Manager, and works closely with the Executive Director. Forge strives to be a lateral organization and our Programs, Collections, Editorial, Development, and Operations departments work collaboratively. The role encompasses logistical, communications, technical, and administrative work, as well as creative thinking around organizational, strategic, and fundraising goals. The Development and Operations Coordinator will have mentorship and professional development available to them, and there may be opportunities for self-directed projects in alignment with organizational priorities & programming. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Development 

• Under oversight of the Development Manager, works closely with the Executive Director to draft and send emails and letters to supporters, prospective supporters, and facilitate donor follow-up.

• Coordinates invitations to Forge, scheduling meetings and site visits

• Tracks and inputs communications data and updates into Neon database, maintains and keeps current all donor accounts. Supports periodic and annual reporting to the Indigenous Steering Council, Board and leadership. 

• Participates in Development meetings and strategy sessions, takes notes and shares out with other departments and in Team meetings, as needed.

• Contributes to the creation and oversight of the annual development calendar, the annual report, the development newsletter, and campaign materials.

• Acts as a liaison between Development and other Departments to solicit materials, input, financial reporting and to track deadlines, in preparation of grant proposal submission and administration.

Events & In-Person

• With the Development Manager, and in collaborations with other Departments, assist in coordination of 5-8 special events per year,  including logistics, invitation management and tracking, vendor relations, site visits and on-site event coordination and support.

• Provide support onsite and in-person, as-needed, for administrative tasks such as mailings, gifting, and inventory management.

• Attend monthly in-person all-staff workshops.

Operations

• (Board & Governance) Under oversight of the Strategy & Operations Manager, coordinate logistics for meetings of the organization's governing bodies, the Indigenous Steering Council (ISC) and Board Members. Track and collate agenda items and supporting documents for meetings including quarterly departmental reports, meeting presentation decks, and special projects, as assigned. Develop itineraries and book travel for up to two annual in-person meetings.

• (Finance) Coordinate Executive Director’s monthly expense reports. Work with Operations Manager to reconcile monthly General Operating expenses and participate in quarterly budget reconciliation meetings. These responsibilities will include detailed clerical tasks such as receipt tracking, petty cash reconciliation, and expense coding.

• (Gen Ops) Lead scheduling of organization-wide meetings and initiatives including monthly staff workshops, quarterly budget reconciliations, and executive projects such as capital and strategic planning meetings (2-3 monthly).

• (Gen Ops) Participate in weekly team meetings, which will include reporting out on projects, and shared note-taking and meeting facilitation, depending on comfort level with these roles.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL BE: 

A person who has writing, development, and administrative experience, and a passion for furthering social justice in the context of contemporary art and culture. An ideal candidate is comfortable communicating with the organization’s leaders, council, and board members, with discretion. This role is best suited to someone who enjoys detailed task management and is comfortable working with a database system. Someone who enjoys working as part of a team, in a responsive and collaborative environment, and is comfortable with both in-person and remote settings. 

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS NEEDED

• Demonstrated organizational and administrative skills

• Strong written and verbal communication

• Task management and self-directed in setting priorities 

• Discretion in handling confidential and/or sensitive information

• Special event coordination 

• Project management  

• Database or CRM use and management (Neon, Mailchimp)

• Strong computer skills and facility with Microsoft Office Suite, Google platforms, Zoom; Adobe and Airtable are a plus

• Understanding and/or direct experience with Native American communities is a plus.

• Familiarity with contemporary art and culture and/or fundraising and development.

• Candidate must be based in the Mahicannituck (Hudson) Valley region, or willing to relocate​​, and have a valid driver’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Forge Project is located in a rural area with no public transportation. The offices and shared  spaces are not currently fully ADA accessible, as they include unpaved pathways and stairs.

• Forge will make every effort to provide accommodations as needed.

• Forge’s work space includes sitting desks, a semi-private office, and informal meeting spaces.

• This position requires occasional evening and weekend availability to accommodate the events and programs schedule.

• Forge encourages healthy work-life balance, with set working hours (with the exception of events) and hybrid and flexible in-person and remote office operations.

• Forge encourages parents and caretakers to apply for the role, and aspires to be a supportive workspace for candidates with families and community responsibilities.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume to [email protected]. This position will remain open until filled, applications submitted on or before March 22 will be reviewed. 

Studies show that people from certain underrepresented groups, including women and disabled people, are less likely to apply for jobs if they don't meet all of the criteria. If this is you, we encourage you to apply anyway! 

Forge is developing a model for carefully considered ethics of relation that disrupt the often extractive and transactional status quo. As such, we are committed to expanding the presence of Indigenous, disabled, 2SLGBTQIA+, and BIPOC individuals in nonprofit strategy and development, and we are seeking candidates who are excited about this opportunity for growth within this values framework.

Forge Project is an equal opportunity employer, committed to having an inclusive and transparent environment where every voice is heard and acknowledged. We embrace our differences, and know that our diverse team is a strength that drives our success.

Forge Project is committed to developing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodation, please email Development Manager, Phoebe Zinman at [email protected] and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.