The nonprofit Center for Furniture Craftsmanship (CFC), in Rockport, Maine, seeks a new Executive Director to succeed founder Peter Korn upon his retirement at the close of 2021. The position is full-time and compensation is negotiable, depending on experience.

About the Center

Founded in 1993, the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship is considered one of the leading woodworking schools in the world. The curriculum offers exceptional training in furniture making and design, woodturning, carving, marquetry, and related skills for both professional-track and avocational woodworkers. The campus consists of four purpose-built buildings totaling 18,000 square feet, set on 18 acres of meadow and woods bounded on one side by the Oyster River.

The school is financially healthy, with an operating budget of $1.7 million and a $14 million endowment. Operating revenue has exceed expenses in every one of its 29 years.

Role and Responsibilities

The Executive Director reports directly to the Center’s Board of Directors, has full responsibility for managing operations and programming, and develops new initiatives in consultation with the Board.

Building on the School’s tradition of excellence and international reputation, the Executive Director will lead the Center in evolving to meet the educational needs of contemporary designer/makers, will accept change as a constant, and will strive to maximize CFC’s contribution to society through its mission.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have significant expertise in two broad areas:

1. management of nonprofit educational organizations; and
2. hands-on craftsmanship and design in wood.

Recognizing that the above are an unusual combination of skills, the Board welcomes applications from candidates whose qualifications are stronger in one area than the other. What is critically important is that the Executive Director of the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship have an articulate passion for, and understanding of, the School’s educational mission, as demonstrated through their own work, education, and/or other relevant experience.

Desirable character attributes include a positive outlook, listening well to others, collegiality, decisive leadership, a commitment to excellence in all things, a sense of humor, a generous disposition, self-motivation, and an attraction to challenging work.

Desirable administrative skills include financial management, clear written and oral communication, comfort with fundraising, the ability to manage a highly professional administrative staff and faculty, the ability to multi-task effectively, and relational skills to strengthen the School community by promoting belonging and mutual purpose among staff, faculty, students, alumni, donors, volunteers, and friends.

Character and experience are paramount. No specific academic degrees are required.

Applications and Inquiries

All inquiries and applications should be submitted to Search@woodschool.org. Initial applications should include a full-length resume and a letter explaining a candidate’s motivation for applying and relevant experience.

CFC does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, national origin, or gender, and this position is open to qualified individuals without regard to age, race, national origin, or gender.