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Essential Duties
Gather Community Space is seeking an inaugural Executive Director who will have
overall responsibility for operational and programmatic management of the
organization and carrying out the priorities as determined by the Board of Directors.
The Executive Director should be a creative and collaborative leader with a willingness
to mold their role and develop the resources necessary to propel the organization to the
next level. The Executive Director should have strong written and oral communication
skills, excellent networking abilities, and the ability to balance the needs of supporting
both active programming and long-term strategic development.

 

Gather’s Mission
Gather Community Space is an inclusive, downtown community space that provides
meaningful programming to promote positive social interaction and foster togetherness
in the Greater Wilkes-Barre Area.

 

Gather’s Vision
Gather Community Space is a hub of meaningful community programming that
promotes togetherness and provides value to the downtown and Greater Wilkes Barre
community. As we move into our 4th year of operation, Gather intends to center our
activities around high-impact Gather “signature programming” focused on arts and
culinary education and meals that will generate sufficient funding through a mixture of
sources to sustain building maintenance and full-time staff. This signature
programming will be complemented by a mixture of high-, medium-, and low-impact
programming provided by both Gather and by community partners. Gather also aims to
become a premier affordable event and classroom space in the Greater Wyoming Valley
for the general public and private events, with a special focus on use of our space by
organizations and individuals doing work to benefit our community. Signature
programming will be developed through a deliberate process to meet mission driven
areas of focus. A diverse Board of Directors guides the development of these signature
programs while ongoing operations and funding pursuits are managed by a full-time
Executive Director.

 

Interested Applicants can provide their letter of interest, resume, references
(preferably from related roles), and a brief statement of their Community Engagement philosophy to executivedirectorsearch@gatherwb.org. Initial review of applicants will begin on October 28 and will continue until the position is filled.

Responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:
 

Resource & Program Development
● Develop the resources, partnerships, and relationships needed to secure Gather’s
mission and vision of growth.
● Within the first 18 months, stand up 1-2 large scale, financially self-sufficient
programs to serve the community in line with Gather’s mission and in
collaboration with the board of directors, and aligned with our focus areas of
music education and culinary education/community meals.
● Identify funding opportunities and support grant application development
● Develop and expand fundraising events, in partnership with the Board of
Directors
● Run Gather’s strategic planning process to ensure proper syndication, feedback,
and approval of the Strategic Plan, Vision, and Mission by the board of directors.

 

Operations Management & Leadership
● Manage facility use, including responding to inquiries and requests, meeting with
interested parties onsite, and scheduling
● Orient and train instructors and partners on facility use
● Provide direct support to events and programming, including occasional evening
and weekend programs
● Recruit, orient, train, and supervise program staff, volunteers, and interns
● Manage operations of commercial kitchen, including it’s community-serving and
business-development areas
● Coordinate facility maintenance needs, including repair, inspection, cleaning, in
partnership with Board of Directors and First Presbyterian Church staff
● Attend meetings of the Gather Board of Directors, its committees, and the
governing Session of First Presbyterian Church, WB, as required
● Submit annual budgets for Board approval, operate effectively within the annual
approved budget, and report regularly on results and projections.
● Work with the Board Finance Committee to ensure proper oversight of financial
management, audits, and assets and liabilities
External Relations & Outreach
● Implement marketing and communications plans in partnership with the Board
with a strong emphasis on social media.
● Represent Gather at meetings in local community and with partners
● Cultivate and strengthen key relationships through outreach and collaboration,
and work to increase awareness of the organization and space

 

Reports To: Board of Directors; works closely with Executive Committee

 

Supervisory Responsibilities
Inaugural posting; position will expand to include supervision of interns, volunteers,
contracted instructors, and paid program staff as programming grows

 

Compensation, Position Type, and Work Environment
This is a full-time, 37.5 hrs/week position. Work is conducted in a typical office setting,
and in a non-accessible work environment (stairs required for most work spaces).
Ability to lift 40 pounds required and a valid driver's license. The successful candidate
must meet the FPC keyholder requirements (PA Criminal, PA Child Abuse, and FBI
fingerprint background clearances). Occasional evening and weekend hours will be
required, based on the needs of operations. Initial position is fully funded for 18 months,
renewable contingent upon the success of programming. Compensation package
includes salary ($40,000-50,000) and paid vacation/personal/sick days. Additional
benefits that can be funded within the overall position funding envelope available (e.g.
health and dental) are negotiable on a case by case basis.

 

Temperament & Qualifications
● An experienced, energetic, and empathetic leader, who leads by example
● Committed to an ethos of care, equity, and strong willingness to work with
faith-based organizations
● Strong interpersonal and active listening skills
● Approachable, collaborative, and tactful
● Calm, optimistic, adaptable
● Gracefully manage multiple tasks and deadlines
● Strong writing, verbal, and public speaking skills

 

Required Experience
● 3 or more years of leadership experience, preferably in a non-profit organization
● Experience serving individuals and families across the income spectrum
● Experience using CRM, website, social media, and other technology platforms to
manage operations, public relations, and fundraising effectively and efficiently

 

Preferred Experience and Education
● Strong relationships in Wyoming Valley nonprofit and philanthropic community
● Experience in managing a budget/P&L
● Bilingual in Spanish is a plus
● Experience developing a strategic plan
● Bachelor’s Degree
● Experience designing or implementing programming related to food insecurity,
commercial/non-profit kitchen management, or music/arts education. 

Interested applicants can send cover letter and resume to executivedirectorsearch@gather.wb.org

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