Careers

Job Title: Development Manager
Job Location: Big Sky, Montana
Position Type: Full-time, in-person
Reports To: Development Director

The Arts Council of Big Sky is a vibrant arts organization dedicated to enriching our mountain resort community through diverse programming in education, events, and public art. With consistent growth and increasing community engagement, we are seeking a passionate and strategic Development Manager to join our team and help us expand our impact.

Position Overview:

The Development Manager will play a crucial role in supporting the Development Director in all fundraising initiatives. This includes planning and executing annual appeals, securing sponsorships, and fostering strong relationships with donors and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be an outgoing relationship-builder, a creative and supportive team player, an optimistic problem-solver, and a community-oriented collaborator. This is a full-time salaried position that works out of the Arts Council’s new Big Sky office in the Center for the Arts building. This position requires working certain events that may fall during the evening and/or on weekends or holidays.

Key Responsibilities:

• Annual Fund: Create compelling annual appeal campaigns throughout the year to support general operations and programs, including direct mail, digital appeals, and special events.
• Program Funding: Work with program directors and coordinators to creatively generate funds to supplement program fees so that programs are affordable and accessible for all participants and sustainable for the organization. This will include coordinating annual program grants, building on the Contribute-What-You-Can fee structure, integrating donation opportunities with ticket sales, etc.
• Sponsorships: Identify and cultivate potential sponsors, creating tailored proposals that align our events and programs with the interests of businesses and individuals in our community. Follow up with all sponsors and work with the Arts Council of Big Sky team to ensure proper recognition is made, benefit commitments are kept, and activations are executed as promised.
• Fundraising Strategy: Contribute to development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy that aligns with the organization's mission and goals.
• Donor Stewardship: Work with Stewardship Coordinator to execute the stewardship plan, cultivate and maintain relationships with existing donors and sponsors, and ensure timely communication and recognition of contributions.
• Community Engagement: Engage with community members, local businesses, and stakeholders to promote the organization’s mission and initiatives, fostering a sense of ownership and involvement.
• Data Management: Maintain accurate records of donor interactions and contributions in the organization’s database (currently Bloomerang), ensuring timely follow-ups and acknowledgments.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the operations team to understand and promote the organization’s educational programs, events, and public art projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant Experience
• 2–4 years of experience in fundraising, sales, business development, marketing, or community engagement.
• Success building relationships, creating partnerships, and asking for financial support or sponsorships.
• Strong Communicator & Relationship-Builder
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect with a wide range of people and inspire support for a cause.
• Comfortable making asks, following up, and thinking strategically about partnerships.
• Persuasive & Strategic
• Confident in making a case for support—whether through writing, one-on-one conversations, or presentations.
• Able to think creatively about how to align sponsorship opportunities with business interests and community needs.
• Proven ability to secure funds through annual appeals, sponsorships, campaigns, or other similar efforts.
• Organized & Tech-Savvy
• Experience and comfort with managing contacts or campaigns using tools like Bloomerang, Salesforce, or similar systems is helpful.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Mission-Driven & Community-Oriented
• Enthusiasm for the arts and a commitment to making programs accessible and welcoming for all.
• Familiarity with small and/or rural communities, or a willingness to engage deeply with the local community.

What We Offer:

• A dynamic and supportive work environment in a beautiful mountain setting.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organization.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, including a health insurance stipend, disability insurance, generous PTO and parental leave policy, and a cell phone stipend.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to katie@bigskyarts.org. Please include "Development Manager Application" in the subject line.

Join us in our mission to enhance the cultural landscape of our community through the arts!

Education Program Manager

Job Description
Job Title: Education Program Manager

Location: Big Sky, Montana
Organization: Arts Council of Big Sky
Job Type: Full-Time

About Us:
At the Arts Council of Big Sky, we believe in the transformative power of art. Located in the heart of Big Sky, Montana, we offer a wide array of arts education programming for all ages—from pottery and painting to woodburning and stained glass, kids' art classes, after-school programs, and summer art camps. In addition to our educational initiatives, we create dynamic events and public art installations that engage and inspire the local community. As a growing nonprofit organization, we’re looking for an innovative and passionate Education Program Manager to lead and grow our arts education programs–and join our team of dedicated arts professionals as we work toward our coal of a community connected to and inspired by art.

Position Summary:
The Education Program Manager will oversee the development, coordination, and execution of all educational programs, classes and workshops at the Arts Council—held in our studio in the BASE Community Center or our new home at the Big Sky Center for the Arts. This role requires a creative and organized individual who can manage multiple programs, collaborate with instructors and staff, and cultivate a supportive, engaging environment for participants of all ages. Most of our classes and workshops are based on a Contribute-What-You-Can fee structure, making them affordable and accessible to all. The ideal candidate will possess a passion for the arts, excellent communication skills, and a dedication to fostering a positive impact within the Big Sky community. With a long-term vision, this position will help develop additional programming in the new Center for the Arts, ushering in a new era for the Arts Council. In addition to the Program Manager, the education team currently consists of a Studio Coordinator and 4-8 instructors/aides.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Management:

• Oversee the scheduling, planning, and execution of all art education programs, including pottery, painting, stained glass, kids' art classes, after-school programs, special events, and summer art camps. This includes our ARTventure programs, designed for local students to experience art in a variety of settings–from field trips to free art activities at events
• Coordinate with teaching artists and instructors to ensure all classes and camps run smoothly.
• Manage registration processes, including enrollment, payment processing, and communication with participants and/or parents.
• Monitor and evaluate program success, collecting feedback from participants, instructors, and community stakeholders.

1. Curriculum Development & Instructional Support:

• Collaborate with instructors to design and implement curriculum for diverse age groups, skill levels, and art forms.
• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for instructors to enhance teaching strategies and keep the curriculum fresh and engaging.
• Ensure the educational programs meet the organization's mission and goals, while remaining accessible and inclusive to all community members.
• Instruct certain classes/workshops when appropriate

1. Community Engagement & Outreach:

• Cultivate relationships with local schools, community groups, and other partners to promote the organization's educational offerings and events.
• Assist with marketing materials and efforts to promote programs via email, social media, and community outreach.

1. Budgeting & Financial Management:

• Assist with the development and management of the arts education program budget, ensuring programs are cost-effective and stay within financial guidelines.
• Assist development team in researching  grant opportunities, sponsorships, and other funding sources to support educational programming, particularly our CWYC programs.

1. Staff and Volunteer Management:

• Supervise and provide support for a team of instructors, teaching assistants, and volunteers, including the Studio Coordinator.
• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment that encourages creativity, growth, and excellence in teaching.

1. Event Coordination:

• Work with other staff to integrate educational programs with Development initiatives and community events.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Arts Education, Fine Arts, Art History, or a related field (Master’s degree a plus).
• Minimum of 1-3 years of experience in arts education or program management, with a background in ceramics, teaching, painting, or other visual arts a plus.
• Experience working in a nonprofit setting is highly desirable.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage with a diverse audience of all ages.
• Ability to create and maintain positive relationships with community members, volunteers, and collaborators.
• Passion for the arts and a commitment to fostering creativity and learning.
• Familiarity with Big Sky and the surrounding region is a plus.
• This position is based in Big Sky and requires working out of our new Center for the Arts building and our pottery studio in the BASE Community Center. The position reports to the Executive Director.  

Compensation:

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Benefits package includes group health insurance or a health stipend, a flexible PTO policy, and opportunities for professional development. There is also a monthly cell phone stipend and short and long-term disability insurance included.
• A vibrant, collaborative work environment with the chance to make a lasting impact in the Big Sky community.

To Apply:
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to Executive Director, Brian Hurlbut, at brian@bigskyarts.org. In your cover letter, please share why you’re passionate about arts education and how your experience would contribute to our mission. The Arts Council of Big Sky is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and program participants.