Careers at Craft Alliance

Marketing & Communications Manager for Craft Alliance

Position Description

• Reports To: Development & Communications Director
• Status: Full-Time / Exempt
• Location: St. Louis, MO (Delmar Maker District)
• Salary Range: starting at $50,000

Position Summary

The Marketing & Communications Manager deepens the connection between our community and the inspiring mission of Craft Alliance. This role is responsible for developing and executing strategic marketing plans to raise organizational awareness, engage potential donors, drive fundraising efforts, and boost enrollment across our specialized studio programs. Managing a variety of channels—including digital media, social media, website content, press relations, and events—the Manager ensures consistent, compelling brand messaging across all platforms.

Roles & Responsibilities

Marketing, Advertising & Strategic Planning

• Strategy Execution: Develop and implement comprehensive marketing and communications strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Data-Driven Insight: Conduct market research to identify target audiences and create annual plans with measurable objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Budget Management: Track, manage, and co-create the Marketing & Advertising portion of the annual budget in coordination with the Development & Communications Director.
• Program Promotion: Collaborate closely with the Development & Communications Director and the Education & Programs Director to highlight selected classes, camps, studio programs, and outreach events to drive attendance and brand awareness.

Content Creation & Digital Marketing

• Storytelling: Generate engaging narrative content across platforms (website, social media, newsletters, press releases, collateral, and blogs) that highlights the measurable impact of Craft Alliance programs.
• Collateral Production: Manage the production of marketing assets, including brochures, flyers, digital signage, and annual reports.
• Digital Infrastructure: Oversee the organization’s website content updates and execute high-engagement social media campaigns.
• Email & Inbound Marketing: Manage segmented email campaigns for donor solicitation, student acquisition, retention, and fundraising appeals.
• Community Listings: Maintain timely postings on third-party websites and community calendars concerning Craft Alliance events, activities, and camps.

Public Relations & Event Management

• Media Relations: Build and sustain relationships with media outlets to secure positive press coverage; develop and pitch compelling story ideas to journalists.
• Crisis Communications: Assist leadership with crisis communications and messaging as required.
• Event Activation: Partner with the Development Team to plan, promote, and execute fundraising events, galas, and awareness-raising activities.

Donor Engagement & Internal Alignment

• Stewardship: Create personalized communication strategies to nurture prospect and donor relationships; draft compelling appeals and stewardship reports.
• Internal Communications: Ensure timely internal updates to staff and board members regarding upcoming organizational milestones, programs, and events.
• Culture of Philanthropy: Foster a collaborative environment that seamlessly integrates advancement goals with Craft Alliance’s studio and community programming.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field, alongside proven experience in nonprofit marketing and communications.
• Core Skills: Exceptional writing, copyediting, and storytelling skills; a strong eye for graphic design principles and brand integrity.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience with digital marketing tools, CRMs, social media management suites, and email marketing platforms. Familiarity with leveraging AI tools for workflow efficiency and content generation is a plus.
• Donor Literacy: Experience creating donor-facing materials is highly desirable; a willingness to actively contribute to fundraising copywriting is essential.
• Adaptability: Proven ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, meet tight deadlines, and work effectively both independently and within cross-functional teams. Take on additional duties as assigned.
• Discretion: Unfailing discretion and attention to detail when managing sensitive donor data and information.
• Schedule: Ability to work occasional evening, weekend, or holiday hours to support major events or program launches.

Personal Characteristics & Work Style

• A sincere passion for the arts and a deep understanding of Craft Alliance’s position in the cultural community.
• A collaborative, engaging communication style capable of connecting with diverse stakeholders, including artists, faculty, donors, board members, and community partners.
• A solution-oriented, proactive mindset focused on execution, impact, and organizational excellence.

Diversity & Equal Opportunity Statement

Craft Alliance is committed to embracing diversity in all its forms, fostering an inclusive work environment where a wide range of characteristics, backgrounds, and perspectives thrive. We believe that by valuing and leveraging this diversity, we drive innovation, creativity, and organizational success. We strive to promote diversity and inclusion on our board, among our staff and volunteers, and throughout our programming.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Research shows that people from historically excluded communities often apply to jobs only when they check every single box. If you are reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your unique lived experience, skills, and passion set you apart.

To Apply

Please forward a single PDF containing the following materials:

1. A cover letter outlining your skills as they relate to this position
2. A current resume
3. A professional writing sample
4. Three professional references (will only be contacted if you are selected as a finalist)

Submit your application via email to Bryan Knicely at bryan.knicely@craftalliance.org with the subject line “Marketing & Communications Manager Application.”

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No phone calls, please.

Database & Customer Service Manager

Organization Overview

Craft Alliance is a nonprofit visual arts center located at 5080 Delmar Blvd in the Delmar Maker District of St. Louis. As a nationally recognized leader in contemporary craft, we offer specialized studio classes, camps, workshops, exhibitions, and community programs.

Craft Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diverse lived experiences and encourage passionate individuals from all backgrounds to apply, even if they do not check every single box on this posting.

Position Summary

The Database & Customer Service Manager is a full-time, in-person position responsible for the complete data integrity, scheduling logistics, and customer service operations of Craft Alliance’s Education and Studio programs and database records management. Reporting directly to the Education & Programs Director, the Database & Customer Service Manager acts as the primary systems administrator for our program database and the central customer service manager for students, members, and faculty. This role ensures seamless operational workflows, executes complex data reporting, and champions high standards of community engagement.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

1. Database Administration & Data Management (50%)

• Systems Management: Serve as the primary administrator for the customer relationship management database (DonorView or similar software), ensuring total data accuracy, up-to-date class offerings and registrations, donor records, and system optimization.
• Reporting & Analytics: Build and execute customized queries to pull actionable course schedules, enrollment rosters, financial reports, and contact data. Prepare regular tuition reports, enrollment trends, and student course evaluations to assist the management team.
• Financial Rectification: Partner directly with the finance team to prepare, track, and rectify monthly registration deposits and transactions.
• Calendar Optimization: Build, maintain, and audit the master organizational calendar, ensuring seamless coordination of classes, open studios, and overall studio availability across all craft disciplines.

2. Customer Service & Stakeholder Communications (35%)

• Client Relations Management: Manage and elevate customer service standards for all student, member, and faculty interactions.
• Front-of-House Alignment: Train and lead team members on student registration protocols, inquiry escalation, and customer service expectations.
• Structured Communications: Serve as the central hub for communications, executing systematic phone, email, and mail campaigns to deliver class-related materials and program updates to students and faculty.
• Interdepartmental Liaison: Maintain clear communication pipelines with the Education & Programs, Development, Leadership, and Marketing teams regarding studio availability, membership incentives, and event scheduling.

3. Program Coordination & Special Projects (15%)

• Schedule Development: Collaborate with the Education & Programs Director to build out efficient class sessions and community program schedules based on historical enrollment trends and space capacities.
• Event Support: Provide operational support for organizational special events and cross-departmental programming as needed.
• General Administration: Accept and execute other organizational duties as assigned to support a collaborative “all hands on deck” environment.

Qualifications & Key Competencies

• Education: Bachelor’s or Associate degree preferred.
• Technical Expertise: Strong computer proficiency is required, featuring advanced skills in Microsoft Office (specifically Excel and Word), and database systems management (e.g., DonorView or equivalent CRMs).
• Communication & Service: Exceptional oral and written communication skills with a proven track record in professional customer service management.
• Experience: Previous experience working within a nonprofit agency, community arts center, or studio environment is highly preferred.

Salary, Status, & Benefits

• Status: Full-Time, Exempt, In-Person.
• Salary Range: $50,000.
• Benefits Include:
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) encompassing vacation and sick leave, plus major holidays.
  • Employer-paid percentage of health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match.
  • Tuition waivers and steep discounts on adult art classes, workshops, and youth camps.
  • Discounts on unique contemporary craft items in our gallery space.

To Apply

Please submit your application via email to bryan.knicely@craftalliance.org with the subject line ” Database & Customer Service Manager.” Your application must include:

1. A current resume.
2. A tailored cover letter detailing your specific expertise in database management and customer relations.
3. Three professional references, including name, your professional relationship, and contact information.

Development Manager (Grants & Institutional Giving focus)

Reporting to: Development & Communications Director

POSITION SUMMARY

The Development Manager is a key storyteller and strategist for Craft Alliance, primarily responsible for securing institutional support through expert grantwriting and relationship management. This role manages the full lifecycle of corporate, foundation, and public grants while assisting the Development & Communications Director in implementing a comprehensive development program.

Working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, the Development Manager ensures that the organization’s mission is compellingly articulated to institutional funders to meet the ambitious goals of the Strategic Plan. While additional duties may be assigned from time to time, the following is a list of the core roles and responsibilities:

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grantwriting & Institutional Giving (Primary Focus)

• Grant Lifecycle Management: Lead the preparation, writing, and submission of high-quality grant proposals, letters of inquiry (LOIs), and reports for private foundations, corporate giving programs, and public agencies (local, state, and federal).
• Strategy & Research: Proactively identify and research new institutional funding prospects. Maintain an annual grants calendar to ensure 100% on-time submission of proposals and reports.
• Compliance & Reporting: Work with program staff to gather data and narratives for grant reporting; ensure all grant-funded project requirements and recognition credits are met.
• Corporate Partnerships: Solicit corporate prospects for both programmatic grants and event sponsorships, aligning corporate social responsibility goals with Craft Alliance initiatives.
  Individual Giving & Stewardship
• Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of individual donors ($250–$500 range), focusing on cultivation and retention through personalized communications.
• Data Integrity: Manage assigned donor information in the database, tracking giving history and entering interactions to identify high-value prospects for the “donor journey.”
• Progress Tracking: Prepare monthly institutional giving and individual donor progress reports for the Development Team.

Board & Staff Engagement

• Culture of Philanthropy: Work across departments to translate program needs into fundable opportunities, ensuring an optimal fit between organizational goals and donor interests.
• Collaborative Marketing: Partner with the Marketing Team to integrate development messaging into sponsorship decks and collateral materials.
• Organizational Support: Demonstrate a commitment to teamwork and the Craft Alliance mission, complying with all policies and assisting with special events as required.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Experience: 3–5 years of professional experience in nonprofit development, with proven success in grantwriting and institutional fundraising.
• Technical Writing: Exceptional writing skills with the ability to synthesize complex program information into clear, persuasive proposals.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to analyze donor data and grant trends to forecast revenue and identify growth opportunities.
• Systems Proficiency: Experience with CRM/Donor databases (e.g., DonorView, Bloomerang, Raiser’s Edge), Microsoft Office Suite (strong Excel skills required), and grant research tools, including AI.
• Project Management: Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and cross-functional contributions from staff and volunteers.
• Financial Literacy: Familiarity with nonprofit budgeting and a willingness to work with the finance department on grant reconciliation.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• A sincere passion for the arts and Craft Alliance’s role in the St. Louis community.
• An engaging communication style capable of building rapport with diverse stakeholders.
• Unfailing discretion and ethical judgment when handling sensitive donor information.
• A “best-in-class” approach to detail and excellence.

Status: Exempt/Full-Time

Salary Range starting at $50,000.

Benefits

Paid Time Off (PTO), health, vision, and dental insurance, discounts on educational classes, workshops, and camps, discounts on purchases in the shop and gallery.

Why Join Craft Alliance?

You will have the unique opportunity to shape the creative landscape of our region. We offer a competitive nonprofit salary, a flexible and creative work environment, and the chance to work alongside a community of passionate makers.

Craft Alliance Craft Alliance is a nonprofit visual arts organization nurturing and inspiring creativity as we educate and enrich our community through contemporary craft. Nationally recognized as one of the premier craft organizations in the country, Craft Alliance is the only organization of its kind in the region solely dedicated to contemporary craft. Craft Alliance offers classes in craft techniques, artist residencies, community programs, exhibitions, and a gallery shop. Craft Alliance has studios for ceramics, metals, blacksmithing, fibers, glass, wood, print and paper arts, and an Artists-in-Residence program.

Craft Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Research shows that people from historically excluded communities apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

To apply, please send cover letter, resume, and three references (including relationship and contact info – they will not be contacted unless you move forward through the interview process) in a single PDF to Bryan Knicely, Executive Director at bryan.knicely@craftalliance.org with the subject line Development Manager. Your cover letter should outline your skills as they align with this position along with your passion for craft. 

Education Manager

Reports to: Education & Programs Director

Location: St. Louis, MO (in office and requires regional travel)

POSITION  SUMMARY

The Education Manager develops and implements a cohesive suite of educational programs that connect schools, families, and community audiences with the Craft Alliance mission. This role serves as the staff lead for youth programs and summer camps, managing everything from high-level program design to day-to-day administrative logistics.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Development & Facilitation

• Design and supervise core programs: Free Family Saturdays, ArtSmarts, Third Fridays, School Residencies, and Tuition-based Youth Classes/Camps.
• Develop interdisciplinary curricula for on-site, off-site, mobile, and virtual settings.
• Lead hands-on demonstrations in various craft media and discuss educational strategies.
• Organize and facilitate a Craft Alliance presence at local community events and festivals.

Administrative & Financial Management

• Manage program budgets, expense tracking, invoices, time tracking for faculty, and purchase orders.
• Assist with course scheduling and database/website management.
• Collect and report programming data and evaluations for grant requirements.
• Coordinate financial assistance and scholarship tracking for students.

Partnership & Faculty Leadership

• Build and sustain relationships with K-12 teachers, administrators, and community partners.
• Recruit, onboard, and train education faculty; manage faculty scheduling and time-tracking.
• Collaborate with the Studio Coordinator, Registrar, and Marketing Manager on logistics and promotions.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Art Education, Art Therapy, or Visual Arts (Master’s degree preferred).
• Experience: 2–3 years in arts education, community programming, or educational administration.
• Teaching: Minimum 2 years of teaching experience with diverse age groups in varied settings.
• Skills: * Background in craft or visual arts.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• A sincere passion for the arts and Craft Alliance’s role in the St. Louis community.
• An engaging communication style capable of building rapport with diverse stakeholders.
• Unfailing discretion and ethical judgment when handling sensitive donor information.
• A “best-in-class” approach to detail and excellence.

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Benefits

• PTO plus major holidays.
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans.
• Life Insurance and Retirement plan with employer match.
• Gallery/Shop discounts and tuition waivers for classes and camps.

Salary Range: starting at $50,000

How to Apply

Submit a resume, cover letter outlining how your experience aligns with this role, and three professional references in an email with subject line of Education Manager to: Bryan Knicely, Executive Director bryan.knicely@craftalliance.org.

Craft Alliance is committed to embracing diversity in all its forms, fostering an inclusive work environment where a wide range of characteristics, backgrounds, and perspectives thrive. We believe that by valuing and leveraging this diversity, we drive innovation, creativity, and the success of our organization. We strive to promote diversity and inclusion on our board, among our staff and volunteers, and in our programming.

Craft Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Research shows that people from historically excluded communities apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.