Straw Dog Writers Guild (SDWG) is a volunteer-member-led organization whose mission is to support the writing community by strengthening, engaging, and connecting writers at all levels of development.
We are a non-profit celebrating our 15th anniversary, dedicated to the craft and transformative power of writing, serving writers throughout the region by promoting individual growth, community outreach and enrichment, and community building.
SDWG seeks a qualified individual to fill an Administrative Assistant position whose primary responsibilities will include supporting the Steering Committee, Conference Committee, Executive Consultant, and President in administering the organization’s daily operations.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Oversees and manages the general calendar, including scheduling events and programs received from the programming committee, Steering Committee meetings, creating agendas, and taking and distributing meeting minutes.
- Oversees and manages the Administration email, ensuring prompt email correspondence with committees, members, partners, and all other constituents
- Responsible for maintaining the website with IT assistance as needed; creating event and programming marketing content in Canva, ensuring brand consistency
- Working closely with committees and constituents to collect and transmit news, events, programming, and the Guild announcements in preparation for the monthly e-newsletter(s), ensuring the information is communicated promptly to the newsletter writer.
- Generates marketing graphics for all events and programs (when not provided), scheduling and posting information on social media channels for print and online newspapers; when provided with program recordings, adds content to the Guild’s YouTube Channel.
- Assists with the coordination of action items between committee meetings, tracking timelines, and supporting the successful completion of projects
- Assists with grant writing and uploading of materials to grantors’ platforms
- Tracks grants and sponsorships both awarded and submitted.
- Manages and updates Google files
- As requested, reviews and edits e-newsletter content, ensuring brand consistency throughout platforms
- Attends WriteAngles monthly conference calls; manages, maintains, and tracks the WriteAngles Conference schedule, ensuring that sub-committees are on time with deliverables.
- Attends and assists with occasional on-site events and programs; attends and assists with virtual and on-site meetings leading up to the fall conference
Required Skills & Abilities:
- Minimum 3 years of experience in providing administrative support to a member of the executive team, preferably in a non-profit organization
- Proven experience in organizational skills with an exemplary professional and positive attitude
- A high proficiency in Google Suite and the ability to learn new or updated software; a familiarity with CRM programs and database management is a plus.
- An ability to function well with multiple projects and competing priorities with excellent time management skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication with attention to detail
- The ability to manage and communicate professionally and sensitively with people from all ethnic groups and social backgrounds
- Familiar with Squarespace, WordPress, Mailchimp, QuickBooks Online, Facebook META, LinkedIn, Canva, Doodle Poll
- Experience working with grant writing teams
- Conference and/or program planning experience
Compensation:
Beginning in February 2025, the Administrative Assistant will serve as a part-time consultant to SDWG. Compensation is $25-30 per hour based on experience. Hours to be negotiated (8-12 hours per week), with additional hours in the months leading up to the WriteAngles Conference. Anticipated start date: February 19, 2025.
This is a hybrid position, and work must be performed in or near Northampton or western Massachusetts. Some evening and weekend hours may be requested for special events or programs.
How to Apply:
Candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume to the Hiring Committee via email at exec@stawdogwriters.org. Please refer to Job Code ADMIN-ASST when applying for this position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to submit documents before February 1, 2025.