Tennessee Craft
Position: Executive Director
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Craft seeks an experienced Executive Director (ED) to lead a statewide organization promoting handmade craft art. Responsibilities include strategic and operational leadership, planning, fundraising, and fiscal accountabilities. The role requires interfacing as the primary spokesperson with members, donors, partners, arts organizations, government entities, and the public. Oversee organization’s administrative, regulatory, permitting, and finance functions. This full-time hybrid position offers flexible hours, requiring residence near Nashville.
Reports to: Governing Board
Supervises: All staff, and oversee management of contract employees, internships and volunteers
Type: Full-time Classification: Exempt
Salary: $70,000 – $75,000 (Based upon Applicable Skills)
Benefits: Annual leave, sick leave, paid holidays. Annual bonus per budget and merit
To apply: Submit Cover Letter and CV to: info@tennesseecraft.org
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership and Human Resource Management
Human Resources:
- Hire, manage, and develop staff through mentoring, IT support, and training. Manage and lead workforce contract personnel and internships
- Emphasize servant leadership
- Delegate duties to meet organizational goals and timelines and budget
- Set goals, provide feedback, and conduct bi-annual reviews
- Ensure HR and organizational policies are followed and manuals updated
- Primary contact for HR/Payroll, accounting and financial audit, including Department of Labor, and
other regulatory entities
Governing Board-Policies, Planning and Development:
- Support Governing Board’s engagement in strategic goals
- Report to the Executive Board on fundraising, membership, and issues
- Available to serve as ex-officio of each committee, ensuring staff support
- Plan annual board retreat with the Executive Committee
- Ensure program excellence through collaboration and feedback
- Oversee/manage staff accountability regarding programs, program evaluation and impact statistics
- Identify and/or maintain effective systems to execute organization’s programming
- Along with the Board, regularly evaluate programming to ensure effectiveness and alignment with
mission, strategic goals, and budgets - Policy development, including internal, external, HR/Payroll, meeting compliance requirements
- Assure the programs and events maintain high standards and brand, whether staff or volunteer led
Fundraising/Fiscal Management
Fundraising:
- Diversify funding through attainment of individual gifts, grants, sponsorships, planned giving, earned income, and bequests. Conduct giving campaigns including annual giving campaign.
- Grants and other fund applications – Administer the full-cycle, including research, cultivation, grant writing, budgeting, execution, reconciliations, reporting, close-out, and recognition
- Acknowledging all benefactors, including donors, grants and in-kind
- Ensure compliance with regulations and ethical standards
- Maintain and execute the Development Plan with staff and Development Committee
- Oversee and advance fund development and community engagement
- Promote and secure in-kind giving, and extend acknowledgments
- Engage the board in income strategies
Fiscal Management/ Business Continuity:
- Develop and manage budget with the Executive Board and Treasurer
- Develop metrics for goal attainment and the measurable results.
- Lead revenue generation and expense management for fiscal health
- Oversee and administer annual audit, tax filings, and financial services with the Treasurer
- Manage compliance efforts, including audits, renewals and filings
- Oversee IT & all systems administration
- Manage Operations/Facilities/Equipment/Purchasing/Accounts Payable
Membership/Marketing/Advocacy
Membership:
- Revitalize and expand membership
- Oversee staff in advocating Membership Program, membership support, and disseminating information
Marketing:
- Oversee marketing strategies to expand Tennessee Craft’s visibility
- Ensure integrated and compelling communication strategies for development, marketing, and outreach
- Oversee CRM (i.e. ‘Salesforce’) management and accompanying applications to maximize program interest and effectiveness
Advocacy:
- Grow relationships with arts and other partner organizations
- Cultivate relationships with legislators, media, and community leaders
- Create and disseminate advocacy materials, and conduct advocacy initiatives
- Attend conferences, meetings, and events benefiting Tennessee Craft
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
- Positive attitude, professional demeanor, and strong interpersonal skills
- Outstanding communication: listening, writing, speaking, and presenting
- Strong collaborator fostering teamwork with Board, staff, and volunteers
- Compassionate understanding of organizational needs
- Knowledge and success in fundraising techniques and trends
- Exceptional planning, organizational, and time management skills
- Ability to research and recommend decisions based on organizational policies
- Applicable skills using technology to efficiently operate functions of the organization, social media, etc.
- Should be proficient with all aspects of Microsoft Office®, CRM, software QuickBooks® Online, Google Drive or like programs with the ability to quickly learn new applications
- Must be proficient with use of computer network file structures and file sharing
- Must be experienced in technical forms of communication as utilized at Tennessee Craft and required by stakeholders, including benefactors
- Possess demonstrated experience managing expenses to budget, enhancing revenues, and overseeing expenses
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- 3 years administrative experience
- Preferred: Art management experience
- Preferred: Nonprofit experience
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent listener
- Collaborative yet decisive leadership
- Passion for arts and Tennessee Craft’s mission and core values
- Strong understanding of the importance of the craft/arts community.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS and PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Work in a professional office environment at 615 Main Street, Nashville, TN. This full-time hybrid position offers flexible hours, requiring residence near Nashville
- Regular office attendance required
- Significant computer work with potential repetitive motion and prolonged sitting
- Mental and physical stamina needed, especially before craft fairs, events, etc.as needed.
- Occasional lifting and physical tasks (>20 lbs.) or that require the use of carts.
- Domestic ability to travel required
Miscellaneous
- Other duties as assigned
- All staff expected to assist with various tasks like answering phones, picking up mail, light cleaning,
and managing supplies
ABOUT TENNESSEE CRAFT
Tennessee Craft supports the fine craft movement by fostering growth and creative expression for artists, building a platform for high-quality craftsmanship, and reinforcing the importance of fine craft statewide. As a nonprofit, we rely on artists, donors, sponsors, and volunteers.
Since 1965, we have preserved Tennessee Craft’s rich history. Grounded in handmade heritage, we offer stages for makers to showcase their work. Our spring and fall craft fairs, exhibitions, community demonstrations, workshops, arts education, and the Master Artist Apprentice Program highlight unique work.
Tennessee Craft is the premier resource for artists, businesses, and the public to connect and deliver fine craft pieces from makers to patrons. We encourage strong member relationships, offering connection, mentorship, and reunion opportunities.
Posted December 17, 2025
