Executive Director Position Summary:

Application Deadline: Friday, February 3, 2012
The Executive Director is TBF’s chief executive officer, responsible for managing its staff and programs, its external relations, and resource development/fundraising.

Ideal Experience:

• Education: this job requires organizational, analytical and communications skills normally acquired through the completion of a bachelor’s degree; graduate studies in a relevant field would be a plus.
• Career background: at least 8 years of relevant work experience, including managing comparable staff and budget, setting strategic direction, and planning and executing its implementation, is required.
• Fundraising/development skills and a successful track record in identifying, soliciting, and servicing strategic partners and funders (corporate, foundation, and individual major donors) are essential.
• Event-planning and management experience on a large scale would be a strong plus.
• Media experience and public relations skills will be a priority.
• Knowledge of the Texas literary community and the publishing/book business is desirable but is not required.
• Experience in recruiting, motivating, and managing volunteers is essential.
• Excellent communications skills (oral, written, and presentation) are required.

For more information or to submit a cover letter and resume contact :
jobs@texasbookfestival.org

Organization Overview

The Texas Book Festival “celebrates authors and their contributions to the culture of literacy, ideas, and imagination.”

Former librarian and ardent advocate of literacy Laura Bush, then Texas’s First Lady, convened a task force to plan a book festival to honor the state’s long-standing literary tradition. Besides celebrating books and Texas authors, the event would promote the joys of reading and benefit the state’s libraries. The first Festival took place in 1996.

The signature event has evolved into one of the premier literary events in the country and takes place in and around the State Capitol in Austin, hosting more than 200 authors each year. In 2011, more than 40,000 book lovers of all ages attended the Festival and enjoyed author readings and presentations, panel discussions, book signings, cooking demonstrations, live music, local food, vendors from across the state, children’s activities, YA authors, and purchasing books in the Festival’s tents. While remaining an important showcase for the work of Texas authors, TBF hosts important writers from all over the world and has earned a national reputation for the quality of its programming and its appeal to readers, authors, and publishers alike.

The TBF current staff of three is augmented by 40 volunteer committee chairs and more than 900 volunteers in planning and running the annual and year-round events including the First Edition Literary Gala, which is the primary fundraiser for the organization.

Over the past four years TBF has expanding its reach by presenting literary events year-round and across the state. Building on its strengths and its reputation, TBF continues to grow its partnerships and strengthen its programs. TBF partners with other non-profits, publications, media, businesses, schools and individuals to present quality programming to Texans.

TBF, a Texas nonprofit corporation, is a 501(c) (3) organization with an operating budget of approximately $1 million. The organization has donated more than $2.4 million to Texas libraries over the sixteen years of its existence.