Embark on a Career
The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) is a thriving arts and cultural center that inspires Mississippi pride and transforms lives through authentic cultural experiences. The MAX features a museum celebrating Mississippi’s creative legacy, a two-story hall of fame showcasing the state’s ground breaking artists, and dynamic studio and performance spaces where people of all ages explore their creative passions.
Past, present, and future come together at The MAX, where we honor Mississippi’s creative icons, showcase working artists, and nurture the next generation. Want to play a role in inspiring tomorrow’s artists? View the job listings below to begin your story with us.
Director of Development
The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) seeks a dynamic, relationship-driven fundraising leader to serve as its primary development professional.
Reporting to the President + CEO, this individual will lead all philanthropic efforts, expand contributed revenue, strengthen fundraising infrastructure, and help position the organization for future campaign success.
The MAX is entering an exciting period of growth, with plans to increase annual income by approximately $1.5 million in new contributed revenue over the next three years. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of one of Mississippi's premier cultural institutions.
Essential Duties
Fundraising Strategy & Execution
- Develop and implement a comprehensive annual development plan in partnership with the President + CEO and leadership team to achieve annual revenue goals and prepare the organization for future campaign success through ongoing assessment of campaign readiness.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, foundation, and government donors, including managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors with giving capacity of $10,000 or more.
- Develop and advance strategies for planned giving and endowment growth.
Donor Cultivation & Stewardship
- Partner closely with the President + CEO, strategically leveraging their relationships and time to maximize fundraising effectiveness.
- Provide strategic oversight and management of The MAX’s membership program, ensuring meaningful and ongoing donor engagement.
- Develop donor proposals, stewardship reports, impact communications, and recognition strategies.
- Represent The MAX at statewide community events and serve as an ambassador for the organization throughout Mississippi and the region.
Board & Volunteer Engagement
- Partner with the Board of Directors and organizational leaders to strengthen engagement in fundraising efforts by equipping board members, volunteers, and staff with the tools, training, and resources needed to effectively identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects.
- Prepare fundraising reports, pipeline updates, and development metrics for leadership and board review.
Grant Writing & Institutional Giving
- Identify, pursue, and secure grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies through compelling proposals and supporting materials.
- Ensure compliance with grant requirements through timely reporting and stewardship.
Collaboration & Organizational Leadership
- Collaborate across the organization to align fundraising with strategic priorities and foster a culture of philanthropy through strong staff, board, and volunteer partnerships.
Data Management & Reporting
- Oversee CRM data management and leverage reporting and dashboards to monitor fundraising performance and inform strategic decision-making.
Schedule & Location
This full-time position offers flexibility regarding residence location within Mississippi or the surrounding region. Significant travel (up to 10 days a month) to Meridian and throughout the state, particularly during the first year, will be expected to support immersion in The MAX's mission, programs, and community relationships. Frequent engagement with staff, donors, board members, artists, and community stakeholders, as well as occasional evening and weekend event attendance, will be essential to success.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Passion for arts, culture, education, and storytelling, along with a genuine appreciation for Mississippi's unique history, artistic legacy, and the mission of The MAX.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible fundraising experience with demonstrated success in major gifts, donor relations, and revenue growth.
- Proven track record of securing major gifts ($10k+) and meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to inspire and engage donors, board members, volunteers, and community leaders.
- Experience utilizing CRM systems such as Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, DonorPerfect, Versai, or similar platforms.
- Ability to think strategically while also executing tactically in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in arts, culture, education, or other mission-driven organizations.
- Experience in the essential duties listed above, including demonstrated success managing major donor portfolios, securing five- and six-figure gifts, leading campaign planning and readiness efforts, advancing planned and endowment giving, and partnering with boards and volunteer leaders.
- Demonstrated success building fundraising infrastructure and systems to support organizational growth.
- Knowledge of philanthropic trends and the Mississippi philanthropic landscape.
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this position is $85,000-$105,000 annually, commensurate with experience. The MAX offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Cell phone stipend
- Paid time off and holidays
- Optional retirement plan
- Flexible scheduling arrangements
- Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates
- Additional incentive opportunities may be available based on organizational goals and performance
Equal Opportunity Statement
The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience values diverse perspectives and experiences and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.
About The MAX
The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) is an arts and cultural center in downtown Meridian that celebrates Mississippi’s remarkable creative legacy through interactive exhibits, workshops, and performances. The facility features a twostory Hall of Fame honoring the state's iconic artists, more than 20,000 square feet of exhibit and studio space, and dynamic performance venues that inspire visitors with Mississippi’s global influence on music, literature, art, and entertainment. Learn more at www.msarts.org.
Application Process
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. The position will remain open until filled; however, applications received by August 31, 2026, will receive priority consideration.
The anticipated interview process is as follows:
- Submission of application materials to Arthur Alley Search Solutions.
- Initial phone screening with Arthur Alley Search Solutions.
- Virtual interview with Arthur Alley Search Solutions.
- Preliminary interview with The MAX leadership team.
- Final in person interview with The MAX leadership team.
Visitor Services Associates (Full or Part Time)
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 or deliver to:
Human Resources
The MAX
2155 Front Street
Meridian, MS 39301
Security Guard + Event Support
The position of Security and Event Support requires a reliable individual who provides security and event setup and teardown services for the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX). This includes all MAX properties (interior and exterior) to provide a safe, secure and clean environment.
This position reports directly to the Chief of Security.
Essential Functions
Minimum Qualifications
• High School diploma, GED or high school equivalency diploma
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 or deliver to:
Human Resources
The MAX
2155 Front Street
Meridian, MS 39301
The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates for employment are considered without regard to race, color, sex, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, non-job-related disability, or marital status.