Executive & Development Associate

Job Title: Executive & Development Associate

Schedule: Part-time, 20 hours/week; flexible scheduling

Compensation: $23–$25/hour, based on qualifications

Application Instructions: Please see bottom of the posting for resume submission instructions

About the Ventura Music Festival

For over thirty years, the Ventura Music Festival has been a cornerstone of cultural life in Ventura, enriching the community with exceptional musical performances that inspire, educate, and entertain. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization now in its 31st season, VMF presents world-class experiences spanning classical, chamber, opera, Latin jazz, American roots, and beyond, in some of Ventura's most iconic cultural and historic venues. Our annual community impact reaches 10,100+ people, including 4,500+ concert attendees and 1,600+ students served through our Music Education Program.

Position Overview

Ventura Music Festival is seeking a detail-oriented and professionally polished Executive Development Associate to provide critical support to our Executive Director and development program. This part-time, hybrid role is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic nonprofit environment, takes pride in keeping people and priorities organized and on track, and cares genuinely about the role arts organizations play in community life. The right candidate is not just an excellent administrator; they are a committed team member who understands that in a small nonprofit, everyone contributes to the bigger picture. This includes showing up for our events, supporting colleagues across departments, and representing VMF with professionalism and enthusiasm in the community.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Support

• Provide direct administrative assistance to the Interim and/or Executive Director, including calendar management, scheduling, and correspondence
• Take meeting notes and ensure timely follow-up on action items and commitments
• Maintain organized filing systems and prepare documents across multiple formats – file-type fluency required (Word, PDF, Excel, and others)
• Proactively flag deadlines and follow-up needs to ensure the IED stays on track and nothing falls through the cracks

Development Support

• Assist with grant research, tracking deadlines, and supporting proposal preparation
• Track donor benefits, requests, and prospects across VMF's sponsoring donor and business giving levels
• Monitor active development tasks and timelines to sustain fundraising momentum
• Assist with donor communications and relationship management as directed

Event and Organizational Support

• Act as box office support, including processing ticket orders, managing patron account data, and responding to ticketing issues in a timely fashion. Training on the ticketing system will be provided.
• Attend VMF concerts and events as a contributing team member, providing support to any department as needed, including front-of-house, lobby, signage, setup, breakdown, and general event-day assistance
• Assist with coordination and logistics in support of organizational goals during active concert marketing periods and event days
• Communicate availability during designated concert periods and follow staff direction on priorities and timelines
• Represent Ventura Music Festival professionally in the community, in written and verbal communications, and on the phone
• Speak knowledgeably and with genuine enthusiasm about VMF's mission, programs, concerts, and community impact

Qualifications

Required

• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
• Professionally developed written and verbal communication skills
• Comfort speaking professionally on the phone and representing the organization
• Proficiency in creating and manipulating documents across multiple formats, including Word, PDF, and Excel
• Ability to work from the VMF office part-time to collaborate closely with the Interim and/or Executive Director
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend events, including concert days
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Ability to lift and transport lightweight materials (signage, event supplies, etc.) as needed
• Interest in music and the arts.

Preferred

• Background in administration, executive assistance, or nonprofit development
• Familiarity with Asana, Constant Contact, LastPass, and Outlook, or demonstrated ability to learn new tools quickly
• Knowledge of or genuine passion for the performing arts and the nonprofit sector

Position Notes

This is a part-time, ongoing position with a flexible schedule. Hours are approximately 20 per week, with increased activity during active concert marketing periods (primarily May through July and September through October, as well as December). The Development & Executive Associate is expected to be a dependable, engaged member of the VMF team, participating in organizational life beyond administrative duties and contributing to the festival season's overall success.

Applications

Please submit a resume and cover letter to: ***email_hidden***

Subject Line: Last Name, First Name – EDA Position Applicant