Multiple Positions (3) - Pewabic Pottery

Posted on 7/27/26

Director of Development

Organization: Pewabic Pottery

Department: Development

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Executive Director

Location: Detroit, MI (on-site with some flexibility)

Schedule Expectations: Role may require occasional evening or weekend availability.

Salary Range: $120,000-$145,000

Pewabic Pottery is a 123-year-old arts anchor institution on Detroit’s evolving east side with a storied history, a robust identity, and an extraordinary future ahead. As Pewabic welcomes a new Executive Director and embarks on a pivotal new chapter, the organization seeks an entrepreneurial and collaborative Director of Development to help shape that future. The role offers a rare opportunity to grow and deepen an individual and institutional giving program that honors Pewabic’s remarkable legacy while expanding its reach and impact locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The Director of Development will join a deeply beloved institution at a moment of renewal, serving as a close partner to both the new Executive Director and a strong, dedicated leadership team in carrying one of Detroit’s most treasured cultural anchors into its next era of growth, visibility, and community impact.

Position Summary

The Director of Development is a senior leader and crucial partner to Pewabic's new Executive Director, responsible for designing, leading, and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that advances the organization's mission, financial sustainability, and long-term growth. This role calls for an entrepreneurial, self-directed fundraiser — someone ambitious about building and stewarding a growing portfolio of donors and institutional partners. The Director of Development will be instrumental in shaping Pewabic's next strategic chapter through the expansion of individual and institutional giving, broadening Pewabic's reach and impact for years to come. The Director of Development oversees all aspects of contributed revenue — major gifts, annual giving, institutional funding, events, and donor stewardship — and serves as a key member of the leadership team, working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and staff to build a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director, staff, and Board to set annual revenue goals and long-term development plans.
• Provide regular reporting and analysis on fundraising performance, pipeline, and trends.
• Collaborate with communications and marketing to develop compelling print and digital materials that tell Pewabic’s story and make a powerful case for support to prospective donors and funders.

Major Gifts & Donor Engagement

Build and manage a robust portfolio of major donors and prospects; cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at all levels; partner with the Executive Director and Board to expand Pewabic’s donor base.

Institutional Giving

Oversee foundation, corporate, and government grant strategy; build and maintain strong relationships with institutional funders; ensure timely submission of proposals, reports, and compliance requirements.

Annual Giving & Campaigns

Design and execute annual fund strategies including appeals, digital campaigns, and donor segmentation; lead special campaigns for capital, endowment, or other initiatives as applicable.

Events & Community Engagement

Oversee development-related events, including Pewabic’s Garden Party, ensuring they align with fundraising goals and deepen donor engagement.

Board Engagement

Partner with the Board of Trustees and Development Committee to strengthen trustee involvement in fundraising, providing tools, training, and guidance.

Operations, Systems & Team Leadership

Oversee donor database, gift processing, reporting, and development budget management; engage, manage, and develop staff and consultants to foster a high-performing, collaborative team.

Required Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in major gifts and institutional funding
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals
• Experience working with Boards and senior leadership
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills
• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute and deliver results
• Familiarity with CRM systems and development operations
• Passion for arts, culture, and community impact

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in arts, culture, or mission-driven nonprofit organizations
• Experience with capital or endowment campaigns
• Knowledge of the metro Detroit philanthropic landscape

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Extended computer use
• Ability to walk campus properties and access multiple buildings
• Occasional evening or weekend availability

Benefits

New hires that meet the benefits eligibility requirement of 30 hours per week or more will enjoy the following benefits after 90 days:

• Health, dental, and vision
• 401k
• Short term and long term disability and life insurance
• PTO and holiday days
• Generous employee discount

How to Apply

Please submit a resume, brief cover letter describing your interest in Pewabic and this role, and up to two writing samples from a current or previous role. Writing samples may include a donor proposal, stewardship or solicitation letter, grant proposal, development report, or other development-related communication. Accompany writing samples with a brief paragraph describing your role in its creation, and redact any confidential donor or organizational information prior to submission. Send materials to hr@pewabic.org.

Human Resources Generalist

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer

Location: Detroit, MI (on-site with some flexibility)

Schedule Expectations: Role may require occasional evening or weekend availability

Salary Range: $80,000-$90,000

Position Summary

Pewabic Pottery is a 123-year-old cultural anchor on Detroit's evolving east side, and as it welcomes a new Executive Director and enters an exciting new chapter, the organization is seeking a Human Resources Generalist who is ready to help shape what comes next. Pewabic is a nonprofit cultural institution that also operates a ceramics manufacturing facility, and this role provides HR support across the full breadth of that organization — including production and design teams, retail operations, and administrative and education staff. This is an opportunity to serve as a true partner to leadership in supporting an employee culture that is equitable, transparent, and deeply aligned with Pewabic's mission and values. The HR Generalist will have a meaningful seat at the table in shaping Pewabic's strategic vision around people, compensation, and organizational culture, and will bring both the operational expertise and the human touch to make that vision real. The ideal candidate is an experienced, collaborative HR professional who is energized by culture-building, skilled in leadership development, and brings operational expertise, sound judgment, and discretion to every aspect of the employee experience. Primary areas of responsibility include HR leadership and culture development, employee lifecycle management, payroll and benefits administration, campus safety coordination, budget stewardship, and compliance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Human Resources Leadership

• Lead all core HR functions, including compensation administration, benefits administration, talent acquisition, employee relations, and policy compliance.
• Implement and maintain compensation structure (pay bands, job leveling, internal equity).
• Champion a positive, mission-aligned organizational culture; lead employee engagement initiatives and design staff surveys and feedback loops to continuously improve the employee experience.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and leadership on performance management, conflict resolution, employee relations, and workplace concerns; develop and maintain transparent, consistent people practices aligned with organizational values.
• Design and lead leadership and supervisor development programs—including training, teambuilding, and coaching on communication, performance conversations, and respectful workplace behaviors—cultivating and managing external consultants and facilitators as needed
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including those specific to manufacturing/production work environments (e.g., workplace safety standards).

Budget & Strategic Alignment

Develop and manage the annual HR budget, including forecasting, expenditure approval, and aligning people investments with organizational financial and strategic priorities.

Payroll & Benefits Administration

Process bi-weekly payroll and maintain employee data in Paychex; serve as primary liaison with benefits providers and brokers, leading open enrollment and ongoing benefits communication; administer PTO, leave tracking, holiday schedules, and 401(k) administration, compliance testing, and reporting.

Talent Acquisition & Employee Lifecycle

Manage full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding, including employment documentation and pre-employment requirements; conduct exit interviews to analyze retention trends; support onboarding logistics and develop and oversee staff and leadership training programs.

Operations Support & Reporting

Respond to HR data requests, regulatory filings, audit and grant reporting, and conference and training approvals; manage access control systems, key fob issuance, and campus safety coordination; maintain documentation and compliance records.

Additional Responsibilities

Design and manage the organization-wide performance management system; oversee vendor relationships, contract coordination, and enforcement of HR compliance standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 5 to 7+ years progressive HR experience
• Comfort supporting a workforce that spans both office/administrative and manufacturing environments
• Experience managing payroll and benefits administration
• Experience advising managers on employee relations and compliance matters
• Payroll systems experience (Paychex preferred) and HRIS proficiency
• Strong documentation and reporting skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations
• Knowledge of Michigan employment law
• Familiarity with workplace safety practices in a manufacturing setting
• Experience supporting grant-funded staffing structures
• Experience navigating employee relations matters with professionalism and care 

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to walk campus properties and access multiple buildings; extended computer use

Benefits

New hires that meet the benefits eligibility requirement of 30 hours per week or more will enjoy the following benefits after 90 days:

• Health, dental, and vision
• 401k
• Short term and long term disability and life insurance
• PTO and holiday days
• Generous employee discount

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and brief cover letter describing your interest in Pewabic and this role. Send materials to hr@pewabic.org.

Executive Assistant

Department: Executive Director’s Office / Development

Reports To: Executive Director

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Location: Detroit, MI (on-site with some flexibility)

Schedule Expectations: Role may require occasional evening or weekend availability for events.

Salary Range: $45,000-$55,000

Position Summary

Pewabic Pottery is a 123-year-old cultural anchor on Detroit’s evolving east side, and as it welcomes a new Executive Director and embarks on an exciting new chapter, the organization is seeking an Assistant to the Executive Director & Development Associate to help power that momentum from the inside. This is a unique and high-impact role for someone who is organized, discreet, and energized by being close to the action — supporting the Executive Director in managing a busy calendar and communications landscape that spans internal staff, donors, board members, and external stakeholders. Beyond executive support, this role is a meaningful entry point into the world of nonprofit development, working alongside the Director of Development on donor relations and communications. The ideal candidate brings 1–3 years of relevant experience, strong written communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and the poise to represent Pewabic’s Executive Director with professionalism and warmth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Executive Support & Calendar Management

• Manage the Executive Director's calendar with care and strategic attention, prioritizing and coordinating meetings with staff, donors, board members, and external stakeholders
• Monitor the Executive Director's email, flagging priority items, drafting responses, and ensuring timely follow-through
• Track action items and follow-ups for the Executive Director, ensuring timely execution and communication across stakeholders
• Prepare the Executive Director for meetings with briefing materials, agendas, and relevant background
• Coordinate logistics for board meetings, committee meetings, and donor engagements, including scheduling, materials, and follow-up
• Serve as a warm, professional first point of contact for stakeholders reaching out to the Executive Director's office
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in all aspects of the role

Leadership Team & Office Support

• Serve as a support resource for the leadership team, helping track internal projects, deadlines, and deliverables across departments
• Maintain shared calendars, project trackers, and follow-up systems that keep cross-departmental initiatives on schedule
• Help coordinate meeting logistics, agendas, and notes for leadership team meetings Take on special initiatives, research, and cross-departmental coordination as organizational needs evolve
• Serve as office coordinator, ordering and maintaining supplies and ensuring the office and shared spaces are well-stocked and functional; support day-to-day office operations, helping maintain an organized and welcoming work environment

Development Support

• Assist the Director of Development with donor database management, gift entry, acknowledgment letters, and record-keeping
• Support donor research, prospect tracking, and preparation of materials for donor meetings and solicitations
• Help coordinate development events and campaigns, including logistics, communications, and follow-up
• Draft and proofread donor correspondence, proposals, and other development communications as needed

General Operations

• Support internal communications and staff coordination on behalf of the Executive Director
• Assist with special projects, research, and reporting as assigned

Required Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in an administrative and/or executive support preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization
• Comfort with office technology and productivity tools (e.g., Google Suite, CRM platforms) and a willingness to learn new systems as needed
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities with grace
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting professional correspondence
• Discretion and sound judgment in handling sensitive information and high-profile relationships

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Extended computer use
• Ability to walk campus properties and access multiple buildings
• Occasional evening or weekend availability 

Benefits

New hires that meet the benefits eligibility requirement of 30 hours per week or more will enjoy the following benefits after 90 days:

• Health, dental, and vision
• 401k
• Short term and long term disability and life insurance
• PTO and holiday days
• Generous employee discount

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and brief cover letter describing your interest in Pewabic and this role. Send materials to hr@pewabic.org.