Careers

The Development Director/Manager will lead and execute the fundraising strategy for the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX). Reporting directly to the President + CEO, this position is responsible for cultivating relationships with donors, securing major gifts, and overseeing all aspects of fundraising initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a passion for arts and culture and a proven track record of driving revenue growth in nonprofit organizations.

Essential Duties

Fundraising Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement a comprehensive development plan to meet annual revenue goals, with input from MAX leadership team.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with and gifts from individual donors, corporate sponsors, government, and foundation sources.
• Develop and manage planned giving and endowment strategies.

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• Work directly with The MAX president and CEO, leveraging their relationships and best use of their time to be most effective in the fundraising process.
• Provide direction and management for the The MAX’s membership program, ensuring regular, meaningful donor engagement.
• Develop tailored donor strategies, proposals and stewardship reports.
• Plan and coordinate board and volunteer solicitations and donor outreach.

Grant Writing & Reporting

• Identify and apply for relevant grants from private foundations and government agencies.
• Track and report grant activities, ensuring compliance and timely reporting.

Special Events Management

• Plan and lead fundraising events, working closely with staff and empowering volunteers.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to promote events and maximize participation.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Collaborate with the President + CEO, board members, and staff to align fundraising goals with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Manage and mentor staff and volunteers involved in fund development.
• Create tools to empower and facilitate solicitation by board, staff, and volunteers.

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintain donor database to ensure accurate and up-to-date records.
• Track and analyze fundraising metrics to evaluate progress and inform future strategies.

Schedule and Mode

The position is full-time, in-person, based at The MAX in downtown Meridian. As a community hub, The MAX regularly has events and programs on nights and weekends that the fund development director/manager will be asked to attend and support, particularly those that attract current and prospective donors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business, Arts Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, preferably in the arts or cultural sector. This can include focused volunteer service.
• Proven track record of securing major gifts and meeting/exceeding fundraising goals.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with donors, board members, and staff.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with donor database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, DonorPerfect, Versai).
• Knowledge of the philanthropic community and trends in fundraising, particularly in arts and education.
• Passion for the arts and the mission of The MAX.

Compensation

Depending upon experience, the salary range is $70-90k. Full-time, exempt positions at The MAX receive a competitive benefits package including health, vision, and dental insurance, cell phone stipend, and optional retirement plan—flexible incentive options to be developed.

Application Process

Applicants submit a resume and cover letter detailing interest in the position and relevant skills and experiences to careers@msarts.org.

Click here to download this job description.

The Executive Assistant for the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience (The MAX) is responsible for ensuring the smooth and effective administrative operations of the organization. Reporting to the President + CEO, the Executive Assistant supports The MAX through three primary functions:

Office Manager

• Create and maintain organizational administrative systems and processes
• Manage all incoming and outgoing mail and the automated mailing system
• Inventory, track, and order administrative needs such as office supplies
• Create and maintain online accounts, such as Amazon, iTunes, FedEx, Uline, etc.
• Support the leadership team and organizational workgroups as needed

Assistant to the President + CEO

• Serve as liaison between the CEO and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including artists, institutional partners, members, funders, and staff.
• Coordinate schedules, communications, and projects on behalf of CEO as directed.
• Work with staff to track and report indicators of organizational success (e.g. finance, attendance, membership)

Secretary to the Board

• Serve as staff liaison to The MAX Board of Directors and board committees
• Organize and coordinate reports and other materials for board and committee meetings
• Serve as recording secretary, taking minutes for official meetings
• Manage meeting schedules, coordinate hospitality, and logistics for board and committee meetings

Schedule and Mode

The position is full-time, in-person, based at The MAX in downtown Meridian. As a community hub, The MAX regularly has events and programs on nights and weekends that the executive assistant will be asked to support, from time-to-time.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of administrative experience in a fast-paced environment and is highly self-motivated, curious, collaborative.

A key skill is the ability to manage competing priorities while sustaining a high level of professionalism. The executive assistant must be able to uphold the strictest levels of confidentiality and trust.

Compensation

Depending upon experience, the salary range is $40-$60k. Full-time, exempt positions at The MAX receive a competitive benefits package including health, vision, and dental insurance, cell phone stipend, and optional retirement plan.

Application Process

Applicants submit resume and cover letter detailing interest in position and relevant skills and experiences to careers@msarts.org.

The position will remain open until filled—priority review of applications by late August.

Click here to download this job description.

The Programs Coordinator (or Manager) is responsible for coordinating (or managing) the development and implementation of temporary arts experiences (such as changing exhibitions, public programs, and special events) of a variety of disciplines (including music, visual art, craft, and folk art).

Reporting to the Director of Programs + Strategic Initiatives, the Programs Coordinator/Manager is key to the organization’s success, leading impactful experiences that deliver on mission, provide value to those we serve, and attract visitors.

Essential Duties

• Coordinate or manage public programs and exhibitions–from conceptualization of goals, to budgeting, logistics, and location–through post-event assessment.
• Coordinate with a wide variety of organizational functions such as marketing, membership, visitor services, facilities, and finance to successfully deliver compelling public programs, exhibitions, and events.
• Collaborate with programs and education to develop and manage a robust studio program, recruiting and scheduling artists, marketing classes and workshops, developing budgets, and supervising activities.
• Coordinate artists and entertainers for programs, events, classes, and workshops–by collecting assets, creating letters of agreement, and coordinating payments.
• Provide administrative support/management for the Programs Workgroup
• Support the events team for setup, execution, and breakdown of a wide variety of programs and events–from intimate conversations to a block party with thousands of attendees–and everything in between.

Schedule and Mode

The position is full-time, in-person, based at The MAX in downtown Meridian.

As a community hub, The MAX regularly has events and programs on nights and weekends that may be the primary responsibility of the programs coordinator/manager. As such, a flexible schedule will be developed to accommodate both administrative needs and after hours events.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• 5 or more years of experience coordinating and/or managing relevant programs
• A history of partnership with communities served by The MAX
• Expertise as a preparator, registrar, curator in a museum setting
• The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while sustaining a high level of professionalism.
• A high degree of self-motivation, curiosity, and collaboration

Compensation

Depending upon experience, the salary range is $40-$65k. Full-time, exempt positions at The MAX receive a competitive benefits package including health, vision, and dental insurance, cell phone stipend, and optional retirement plan.

Application Process

Applicants submit resume and cover letter detailing interest in position and relevant skills and experiences to careers@msarts.org.

The position will remain open until filled. Priority review of applications will begin by late August.

Click here to download this job description.

The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) is seeking experienced, reliable, and task-oriented individuals to provide excellent customer service to patrons of The MAX.  The part-time Visitor Services Associates will be responsible for selling tickets and memberships at the Admissions Desk as well as selling merchandise in the Museum Store.

Essential Functions

• Provide a welcoming environment and excellent customer service to patrons.
• Sell tickets and memberships and other educational services.
• Process retail sales and complete cash register transactions.
• Use point of sale (POS) software to sell tickets and merchandise, look up inventory, and balance cash drawers at end of shift.
• Answer phones and questions in a knowledgeable and friendly manner.
• Respond in a friendly manner to visitor complaints and concerns.
• Assist Manager with monitoring merchandise inventory, ticketing, stocking shelves, and taking care of other supplies and equipment.
• Have ability to be trained for other related functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Two or more years of experience in retail or customer services/guest services
• Experience in cash handling and working with complex ticketing systems is highly desired.
• Ability to orient group tours and school tours and speak in front of large groups
• Responsibility, friendliness, proper grooming, and honesty in handling cash and credit transactions
• Availability to work a part-time, flexible schedule
• Ability to lift 30 pounds and stand for long periods of time

Interested candidates should stop by The MAX at 2155 Front Street in Meridian, Mississippi to obtain and complete an application or send a cover letter and résumé via email to careers@msarts.org or deliver to:

Human Resources
The MAX
2155 Front Street
Meridian, MS 39301

This combined position of security and maintenance requires a reliable individual who provides security and maintenance services for the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience (The MAX).  This includes all MAX properties (buildings, grounds and security) in order to provide a safe, secure and clean environment.

Essential Functions

• Provide general maintenance of lighting, electrical, carpentry, and light plumbing
• Provide grounds maintenance (lawn, patio, trees, shrubs, flowers, etc.)
• Use basic hand tools for repair and installations and operation of fork lift, scissor lift and other major equipment
• Assist with setup/teardown of tables/chairs/equipment for special events
• Maintain maintenance equipment and supplies
• Must be available for flexible schedules after hours and weekends
• Serve as Security Guard as needed for assigned shifts, helping to preserve the safety of staff, visitors and The MAX
• Assist housekeepers with tasks as needed
• Greet, assist and interact with a variety of people, including employees, visitors, contractors, vendors, etc.
• Enforce rules and regulations in areas as needed; escort visitors when needed
• Respond to all alarms and other emergency situations; maintains records and makes reports as required

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma, GED or high school equivalency diploma
• One year of experience in a facility where customers, visitors or patients are served (museum’ hotel/motel, hospital)
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operational and maintenance instructions, blueprints, building schematics and procedure manuals
• Ability to write routine reports
• Friendliness, proper grooming, and honesty
• Must be able to lift 30 lbs. or more

Interested candidates should stop by The MAX at 2155 Front Street in Meridian, Mississippi to obtain and complete an application or send a cover letter and résumé via email to careers@msarts.org or deliver to:

Human Resources
The MAX
2155 Front Street
Meridian, MS 39301