Director of Literary Arts

 We offer outstanding benefits!

• Offer competitive wages
• Outstanding medical insurance, life and long-term disability insurance
• Paid Time off
• Free membership to our state of the art Fitness Centers
• Hiring Staff of ALL Religious Backgrounds and Genders

Summary:

The Director of Literary Arts is responsible for overseeing all aspects of planning, development, and implementation of the two weeklong St. Louis Jewish Book Festival (JBF) in November as well as the Winter and Summer Used Book Sales. JBF responsibilities includes author/talent selection and booking, budget development and meeting of budget goals, securing funds from current and potential individual and corporate donors, overseeing a large volunteer committee and working with J marketing team to promote, outreach, and grow audiences. Used Book Sale responsibilities include recruiting and managing volunteer sorters throughout the year, implementing 6 day Used Book sale each August and January, and marketing the program.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct author searches, including negotiation & selection in coordination with Jewish Book Council and Book Expo America as appropriate.
• Schedule & coordinate author presentations including arrangement of travel to and from St. Louis and creation of festival events & elements.
• Oversee media relations, PR & publicity for all assigned programs and events, including writing of Festival brochure and press releases in collaboration with J Marketing Department.
  Working collaboratively with J Development Staff to recruit, solicit, and retain festival sponsors and co-sponsors, inclusive of in-kind donations as appropriate.
• Recruit, retain, and manage Festival volunteer planning committee.
• Maintain accurate data bases of committees and subcommittee members, patrons, sponsors, and co-sponsors.
• Manage the Jewish Book Festival Store including ordering books from local independent bookstore, local authors, and setting up systems for book sales and bookstore volunteers.
• Develop and implement two Used Book Sale events, one in August and one in January.
• Recruit and manage Used Book Sale volunteers who sort books throughout the year and help during the sale itself.
• Work closely with J Marketing Department to develop and implement sales/marketing operating initiatives and budgets.
• Develop the budgets for the programs and monitor for progress on a monthly basis as a part of annual goals for program.
• Understand and be committed to the mission and vision of the Jewish Community Center. Be knowledgeable about the J and its programs. Be an advocate for the J and its programs and staff.
• Participate in and promote both programs and events.
• Develop and implement strategies for improving program participation and financial outcomes for events.
• Develop plans to evaluate programs relative to mission and goals for the JCC using existing Logic Models and survey technology.
• Ensure that J goals are used in evaluation process.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS in Fine Arts, Writing, Communications, Public Relations, Publishing, Event Planning or related field is required. MA/MS preferred.
• Excellent communication-both written and oral, leadership and interpersonal skills are required.
• Major event planning experience required.
• Scheduling flexibility to attend occasional evening and or weekend events or meetings.
• Prefer experience/success increasing programming participation in both for profit and not for profit environments. Should have understanding of marketing strategies for program growth.
• Ability to anticipate and solve practical problems or resolve issues.
• Prefer knowledge of Jewish traditions and culture.
• Prefer knowledge of literature and book publishing field.
• Prefer experience in Board and Lay Committee interface

To learn more about the Jewish Community Center and all that we do, please visit our website: www.jccstl.org.
The J is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the Department of Homeland Security’s eVerify program.

Apply here.