July 23, 2009
Virginia Association of Museums Position Announcment
Richmond, VA - July 23, 2009 - The Virginia Association of Museums announces the following open position in their Richmond offices. Deadline for submission of application is August 10, 2009.
Member Services & Development Director
The Virginia Association of Museums (VAM) is looking for a Member Services & Development Director to begin on or before September 1, 2009. This position will be responsible for the development and operation of the member services department of the Association, including: retaining and expanding the membership base; maintaining accurate records of VAM's membership; and processing membership applications and renewals. This position also works with the Executive Director in development and marketing efforts.
Qualifications
B.A. or B.S. degree or equivalent experience in business, marketing, communications or a related field (such as museum studies) is required. VAM is looking for someone with the ability to set and meet membership and fundraising targets, preferably with experience in outreach and event planning. Excellent communication, project management, organization, writing and editing skills are necessary.
Specific skills we are seeking: experience working with databases (we use iMIS Association Management software); experience with computers and software applications including Microsoft Office products; experience with electronic and web-based communications; some desktop publishing a plus.
Desirable attributes: ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, current and prospective members, affiliates and volunteers; organized team player with ability to multi-task in a team environment; excellent interpersonal skills with diverse constituencies; work experience with non-profit organizations; familiarity with the museum community.
Physical requirements: ability to work at a computer and phone for extended periods of time, lift 20 pounds and maintain a valid driver's license. Some travel will be required.
Specific Duties
1. Serve as primary point of contact with the Association's membership, providing assistance or directing member to appropriate staff person or Council member.
2. Oversee and maintain membership database. Responsible for data entry, making sure records are up-to-date, and managing all information processing needs of the Association. Prepare bi-monthly membership report for Council.
3. Process membership applications and quarterly renewals, updating the database and ensuring members have updated membership materials and member cards.
4. Design and administer membership recruitment and retention strategies. Work with Membership Committee and Executive Director to coordinate membership marketing functions. Build membership incentives and conduct targeted membership campaigns in coordination with Council members.
5. Provide direction to the Association staff and Council on member needs and help to devise benefits and services to meet them.
6. Develop, plan and implement special events for members and other fund-raising events.
7. Work with Executive Director in development efforts with business members and sponsors and with Program Director in marketing of Association programs.
8. Handle preregistration for annual conference and supervise volunteer team for onsite registration.
9. Canvass membership for input on the needs of the field; inform Association staff of professional development ideas, etc. based on interactions with members.
10. Produce annual membership directory and Directory of Virginia Museums for upload to the website.
Location
The VAM offices are located at 200 South 3rd St. in downtown Richmond, VA. Free parking is included.
Hours
This position is modified full time at 35 hours per week, with flexible hours and some telecommuting allowed. The offices are open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. (It is expected that this position will evolve to a full 40 hour/week position.)
Salary
Starting salary for 35 hour/week is $25,000 - $28,000 based on salary history and experience.
Benefits
VAM provides a highly competitive benefits package that currently includes: fully paid health, dental, and vision insurance for the employee or a stipend; employer contribution retirement plan; 12 days of paid vacation per year and 12 days of paid sick leave per year (increases with years of service); 11-13 paid holidays (state holiday schedule); paid lunch hour; and free parking. VAM is committed to recruiting, training, developing and promoting employees on the basis of individual qualifications, competence and merit.
To Apply
Email cover letter and resume to mcarlock@vamuseums.org or fax to 804-788-5826 by August 10. If submitting by mail, please send to Margo Carlock, Virginia Association of Museums, 200 South 3rd St., Richmond, VA 23219 postmarked by August 10.
VAM is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status or any other characteristic protected by state and federal law.
About the Virginia Association of Museums
MISSION STATEMENT
The Virginia Association of Museums is a nonprofit, professional membership organization for museums and individuals associated with museums, primarily in Virginia, serving all museum disciplines. The Association provides education, information, resource and support services, facilitates communication among the institutions and individuals of it's membership, fosters inclusiveness and serves as an advocate to governmental and other decision making authorities on issues relating to museums.
HISTORY
Virginia museum staff began getting together once a year in the late 1950's to share expertise, exchange exhibits and collaborate on programs. As the group grew, it began to expand its activities - a Civil War Centennial Celebration, a magazine, and additional meetings during the year for training and networking. The group formalized by incorporating as the Virginia History Federation in 1968 to promote and support Virginia's historical museums and sites; it was granted 501 (c) 3 status by the IRS in 1969. In 1978, the name was changed to the Virginia History and Museums Federation to reflect the broadening of its mission to include all museum disciplines. The name was changed once more, in 1980, to the Virginia Association of Museums (VAM) to further establish its identity as an organization whose purpose is education and support for all museums and similar cultural institutions in the Commonwealth.
MEMBERSHIP
The largest state museum service organization in the country, VAM comprises over 1,000 members representing all levels of museum professionals, trustees, volunteers, students, as well as interested citizens and business affiliates. Its institutional members reflect the broad diversity within Virginia's museum community, and range in size from operating budgets of well over $12 million to volunteer-run historical societies. They include national landmarks such as Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, and Monticello; showcases for the arts such as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Chrysler Museum and William King Regional Art Center; centers for science education such as the Science Museum of Virginia, the Virginia Aquarium, the Virginia Museum of Natural History, the Virginia Zoo and Norfolk Botanical Garden; as well as many history and children's museums, historic sites, art, specialized audience museums, science and nature centers that dot the landscape throughout Virginia and make the communities a better place to live. 63% of VAM's members have a budget of under $250,000; roughly 65% are history related and 18% art.
SERVICES
VAM provides training, publications, and advocacy, and serves as a clearinghouse of information for over 1,000 museums, historic houses and sites, art galleries, science and nature centers, planetariums, and related cultural organizations in Virginia. VAM serves as an agent for cooperation among museums - locally, regionally, and nationally - and as a liaison to other professional organizations. It operates the Emergency Support Task Force to assist museums in times of disaster.
VAM's services include seminars and training workshops in subjects pertinent to museum work, mentor programs, technical assistance, regional meetings, a 3-day Fundamentals Forum, an award-winning quarterly newsmagazine, a member-driven web site, monthly eNews, periodic reports such as the Economic Impact Study and other surveys of the field, career advisory services, and an annual conference featuring nationally acclaimed speakers and sessions on current museum topics. VAM administers the popular Virginia TimeTravelers© program, which promotes museums to families and schools and resulted in over 550,000 museum visits in 2007.
