About Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers identifies and supports the next generation of creative voices. Founded to preserve the legacy and shepherd the future of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the Alliance activates a vibrant network of teen artists and writers, alumni, and educational partners across the United States and Canada; creates opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, scholarships, and community-building; and celebrates the transformative power of creativity. Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of the Alliance’s work and one of its guiding principles.
The Awards were established in 1923 by Maurice R. Robinson, the founder of Scholastic Inc. They were administered as a division of Scholastic until the Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was formed in 1994. Today, the Awards are the longest-running, most prestigious, and largest recognition program for creative teenagers across America and a significant source of scholarships. The Awards have an impressive roster of notable alumni, including Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Amanda Gorman, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andy Warhol. Each year, over 100,000 teens in grades 7–12 (ages 13 and up) enter work in 29 categories. The program culminates in June with a National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall, the country’s premiere annual celebration of young talent.
In addition to the Awards, the Alliance presents exhibitions, publications, workshops, programs for educators, alumni engagement activities, and the National Student Poets Program.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the organization’s long-serving Executive Director, the Deputy Director for External Affairs will be responsible for creating and implementing the strategy to ensure that the organization achieves its current fundraising goal of raising $2.5-3.0 million annually and will develop a long-term plan for growth and diversification, while raising AYAW’s profile and support through the development of a comprehensive communications plan.
The Deputy Director for External Affairs will supervise the Individual & Institutional Giving and Design & Communications teams through four seasoned direct reports, and work collaboratively with staff across all departments as well as with colleagues at the Awards’ title sponsor and largest donor, Scholastic, Inc.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Fundraising & Resource Development
- Develop, in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board, a multi-year revenue growth plan and annual development operating plan with clear goals, metrics, timelines, and accountability.
- Lead effort to diversify funding streams (Board, individual donors, major gifts, planned giving, corporate, foundation, signature events, alumni, etc.) for growth and management of risk from any single source.
- Partner with Programs to identify mission-advancing programmatic vehicles for new and increased funding.
- Drive innovation in fundraising models, exploring and testing new channels or donor engagement approaches to expand reach.
- Monitor fiscal performance and pipeline metrics, forecast trends, and adjust tactics as needed to hit targets.
- Ensure authentic and effective donor engagement throughout the organization.
Marketing, Storytelling & External Communications
- Develop and implement a long-range, data-driven institutional branding and marketing strategy that drives awareness and support.
- Oversee the Design and Communications team in creating and implementing integrated marketing and communications strategies aligned to program cycles and organizational priorities.
- Produce crisp, mission‑aligned content across proposals, digital platforms, campaigns, and executive materials.
- Create compelling fundraising materials and utilize them as a springboard for fundraising and donor relations.
- Serve as an effective spokesperson for AYAW’s mission and activities through verbal and written communication and representing AYAW at donor and partner events.
Project, Systems & Operational Management
- Manage complex workflows, deadlines, and multi‑stakeholder projects in a hybrid work environment.
- Navigate a high‑volume annual calendar, connecting external‑facing work with program realities, data insights, and organizational needs.
- Establish cross‑team planning rhythms and reducing silos across functions.
Integrated External Affairs Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team with clarity of roles, goals, and performance metrics.
- Serve as a strategic bridge across Development, Communications/Production, Programs, and the Board to ensure alignment, consistency, and seamless external messaging.
- Support the Executive Director in Board meetings and related communications.
Candidate Profile
While it is understood that no candidate will offer every desired skill, quality, and characteristic, the following offers a detailed, aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile:
- Deep passion for youth development, the arts, education, or adjacent sectors.
- Minimum of seven years of leadership experience in a nonprofit external affairs role with a proven record of success in meeting annual fundraising goals and creating a marketing/communications plan.
- Experience stewarding renewals and securing new funding from foundations, individuals, and corporate partners.
- Familiarity with board development, endowment stewardship, and diversified revenue strategies is strongly preferred.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, able to prioritize competing needs while maintaining clarity and focus.
- Highly organized and systems‑oriented, with the ability to manage complex workflows, deadlines, and multi‑stakeholder projects in a hybrid work environment.
- Experience partnering on brand refreshes, technology projects, and creative campaigns.
- Leads with clarity, generosity, and calm—empowering a high‑performing, self‑sufficient team while maintaining accountability and direction.
- Balances hands‑on execution with strategic oversight; models a no‑drama, solutions‑oriented approach.
- Demonstrated, authentic commitment to embedding equity in systems, processes, and communication—not just messaging.
- Kindness and empathy, both in interactions with internal colleagues and in efforts to align the goals and values of external stakeholders with those of the organization.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $150,000 - $180,000 with a generous benefits package.
While flexible and hybrid‑friendly, regular presence in NYC is strongly valued to engage donors, board members, and partners and to maintain connection with the organization’s corporate partner.
Learn more about the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers at https://www.artandwriting.org/