Firstworks Logo
attend
donate
contact

ATTEND   |   DONATE   |   CONTACT

Careers at FirstWorks – Join our Team

FirstWorks is a Providence, Rhode Island-based non-profit arts organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of our community by engaging audiences with world-class performing arts and education programs.

Current Opportunities:

Executive Coordinator

FirstWorks is a Providence, Rhode Island-based non-profit arts organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of our community by engaging audiences with world-class performing arts and education programs, and as Founding Creative Partner for PVDFest, Providence’s premiere arts festival.

FirstWorks (FW) is seeking an Executive Coordinator to support vital functions of the entire organization. The Executive Coordinator ensures smooth operations across office management, data, and programs. Qualified candidates will be skilled communicators, highly organized, capable of synthesizing complex information, be proficient in CRM/Databases and MS Office suite applications and have an affinity for the arts. This is a full-time position. Occasional evenings and weekends based on the program schedule are required. Specific responsibilities include:

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

ADMINISTRATION

  • Oversee daily management of FW office, including telephone and reception, mail collection, office supplies 
  • Manage relationship with IT service, maintain office technology, provide tech support to staff 
  • Liaise with third party contractors for services, and coordinate with building management about access, repairs, etc.
  • Maintain institutional calendars, staff communication systems (Asana, OneDrive), Standard Operating Procedures
  • Serve as Board of Directors liaison to schedule meetings, write and send communications, records, agendas, minutes, etc.; support new Board member on-boarding
  • Provide Human Resources support; staff searches, on-boarding, recruiting and helping to supervise interns; schedule and track staff performance reviews
  • Working under the supervision of the Accountant/Bookkeeper, perform light bookkeeping functions such as data entry and report generation, documenting and filing invoices/receivables; provide support for annual audit
  • Support internal meetings through agenda development, meeting facilitation, minute taking, circulating action items, and follow up on assignments
  • Database management including entry, database hygiene, pull various departmental reports, modify system layout as needed, contract management and interface with CRM provider
  • Provide support for grant proposals and reports, annual campaign, donor cultivation and special events as needed
  • Support to senior leadership with schedule management, coordinate and prep for external partner meetings, conference scheduling, or assemble relevant copy/materials for partners

MARKETING

  • Oversee Box Office management and Front of House; create show-specific box office events, monitor box office communications and assist patrons with ticketing, run sales reports, manage comp tickets and holds, and liaise with external box office vendors if applicable

  • Set up and monitor Virtual Stage events via box office when applicable

  • Implement marketing and cross promotional efforts, including group sales, package and affinity group pricing, and community outreach to partners and stakeholders

  • Coordinate distribution of marketing materials and media communications, including local event listings and direct mail campaigns

  • Light video editing, including packaging of recorded Zoom events for web

PROGRAM

  • Support program logistics, including liaising with community partners
  • Serve as Zoom admin for Virtual public engagements
  • Attend partner planning meetings as needed
Desired Skills/Experience:

  • 1-3 years work or equivalent experience in arts administration, cultural non-profit organizations

  • Previous administrative, office management, or other relevant experience strongly preferred  

  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills 

  • Superior organizational ability and attention to detail 

  • Ability to troubleshoot and proactively remedy tech/database issues 

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team 

  • Facile knowledge/user of software applications (i.e., word processing, spreadsheets, email, search engines, databases), familiarity with SalesForce/Patron Manager, Asana, Microsoft 365, QuickBooks preferred 

  • Welcoming presence: ability to generate enthusiasm for the organization, elicit cooperation, and get information over the phone, via email, and in person

  • Knowledge of Greater Providence, business community, creative community and some experience in interacting with the nonprofit arts & culture sector a plus

  • Access to use of personal vehicle to travel between worksites

Anticipated Salary: $40,000-$45,000
Anticipated hire date: ASAP
This is a full-time position.

To apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, three writing samples, and three professional references to admin@firstworks.org. Please include the position title in the subject of your email.

Benefits include health and dental insurance, vacation.

FirstWorks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a diverse workplace. Women, gender nonconforming, persons of color, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Communications Manager

FirstWorks is a Providence, Rhode Island-based non-profit arts organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of our community by engaging audiences with world-class performing arts and education programs and is the Founding Partner and Co-Producer of PVDFest, Providence’s signature arts festival. FirstWorks’ public performances, whether with iconic guest artists or world-class local ensembles, are framed with extensive community interaction and provide pathways to opportunities for thousands of low-income students in Rhode Island.

The Communications Manager works with the FirstWorks team, including the Marketing Manager, and is responsible for developing and executing FirstWorks’ marketing strategy and messaging. Reporting to the Executive Artistic Director, they will develop and guide communications, website, and public relations messages and collateral to consistently articulate FirstWorks’ mission and brand. The Communications Manager will play a key role in managing external relations in the community. The appropriate candidate will be capable of serving as a unifying force and implementing communications plans at both the strategic and tactical levels.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate the annual communications plan across all FirstWorks programs, for partners and audiences, in collaboration with the FirstWorks team
  • Steward community relationships, sponsorships, and manage external communications
  • Implement targeted marketing initiatives including traditional print and digital media
  • Manage and distribute press releases, and calendar listings
  • Update and monitor FirstWorks communications lists
  • Generate regular reports on FirstWorks analytics and strategy effectiveness, take the lead on creating new strategies and sponsorships to drive revenues
  • Support and develop written content and image selection for branded emails, letters, social media posts and campaigns, offline marketing material, website content, ensuring overall messaging and brand uniformity
  • Support, develop, and distribute collateral resources across the organization with overall brand conformity, including signage and program-specific collateral
  • Develop metrics and evaluation ROI for sales, brand, and engagement goals, in conjunction with the Executive Artistic Director and Marketing Manager to assure growth of brand awareness
  • Provide support and talking points, for the Executive Artistic Director’s media appearances, as needed
  • Ensure timely updates to the website, in collaboration with the Marketing Manager
  • Prepare reports and participate in Board of Directors meetings, as needed
  • Represent FirstWorks at events and within the community, as needed
  • Manage relevant aspects of budget tracking
Desired Skills/Experience:
  • Relevant experience in developing marketing and communications strategies
  • Experience working with cultural nonprofits and knowledge of arts marketing best practices preferred
  • Proficient knowledge of social media platforms
  • Relationship builder with the ability to represent the organization in conversations with sponsors, media partners and community leaders
  • Ability to do strategy and planning, as well as implementation and execution
  • Excellent writing/editing and verbal communications skills
  • Excellent organizational abilities with keen attention to detail
  • Track record of overseeing, prioritizing, and executing multiple deadlines
  • Ability to generate enthusiasm for the organization, elicit cooperation, and get information over the phone, via email, and in person.
  • Ability to understand presented projects and craft talking points as needed
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Facile knowledge/user of software applications (i.e., Microsoft 365, Adobe, InDesign, DropBox), familiarity with SalesForce/Patron Manager, and Asana a plus

Anticipated Salary Range: $50,000-$70,000, full-time preferred, ¾ time and flexible work arrangements considered

Please submit cover letter, resume, three references and a work sample to admin@firstworks.org

Benefits include health and dental insurance, vacation; and the ability to have an impact on creating access and engagement with the arts and bettering the lives of people in Providence and across Rhode Island. FirstWorks is a fully vaccinated workplace, currently operating in-office and virtually. Employment is contingent upon proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.

FirstWorks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a diverse workplace. Women, gender nonconforming, persons of color, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

PVDFest Job Opportunities

For open PVDFest positions visit https://pvdfest.com/jobs/

Internships

FirstWorks is uniquely positioned to create tailor-made internships opportunities for students interested in arts administration, marketing, education, production, and much more. Join our team to be part of captivating audiences with breath-taking performances and imagination defying spectacles, and connecting Rhode Island students with once-in-a-lifetime arts education opportunities. Together we are lifting all Rhode Islanders through the arts.  

To learn more, contact: admin@firstworks.org

FirstWorks is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse, equitable, and anti-racist environment. FirstWorks has a fully-vaccinated workforce. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or written documentation of a medical or religious exemption is required for employment.