POSITION SUMMARY
The Associate Director of Advancement serves as a senior leader within the Advancement Department and the principal partner to the Director of Advancement in achieving the museum’s philanthropic goals. The Associate Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the museum’s fundraising programs, translating institutional priorities into measurable fundraising outcomes.
The Associate Director oversees frontline fundraising efforts, including major gifts, leadership annual giving, planned giving, campaign fundraising, and institutional giving, while maintaining a personal portfolio of leadership donors and prospects. Working closely with the Director of Advancement, the Associate Director develops fundraising strategy, establishes performance metrics, oversees forecasting and pipeline management, and ensures effective coordination of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities across the department.
The Associate Director serves as a coach, mentor, and manager for frontline fundraising staff and helps foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the institution.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising Leadership & Strategy
-
Partner with the Director of Advancement to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with institutional priorities and annual revenue goals.
-
Lead the museum’s frontline fundraising program, including major gifts, leadership annual giving, planned giving, campaign fundraising, and institutional giving.
-
Supervise and mentor Managers of Philanthropy, Manager of Leadership Annual Giving, and Manager of Donor Relations & Stewardship, and other fundraising staff as assigned.
-
Translate departmental goals into measurable fundraising plans and individual performance objectives.
-
Collaborate with Advancement leadership to identify emerging opportunities for philanthropic growth and donor engagement.
-
Work with museum leadership to actively engage their partnership in fundraising strategies and solicitations.
Portfolio & Revenue Management
-
Maintain a portfolio of leadership and major gift prospects capable of making significant annual, campaign, endowment, and planned gifts.
-
Lead regular portfolio review meetings and ensure effective moves management practices across all fundraising staff.
-
Partner with the Manager of Advancement Services to oversee prospect management systems, revenue forecasting, and fundraising analytics.
-
Monitor fundraising performance and provide strategic recommendations to ensure achievement of annual and long-range fundraising goals.
Staff Leadership & Management
-
Establish portfolio standards, fundraising expectations, and performance benchmarks.
-
Foster professional development, accountability, collaboration, and innovation among fundraising staff.
-
Provide coaching on donor strategy, solicitation planning, stewardship, and relationship management.
-
Campaign & Volunteer Leadership
-
Support planning and implementation of capital, endowment, and special fundraising campaigns.
-
Partner with the Director of Advancement and volunteer leaders to develop campaign strategies and donor engagement plans.
-
Serve as primary point of contact for Advancement Committee-coordinate meetings and content.
-
Support fundraising activities associated with the Board of Directors, Advancement Committee, National Council, Board Alumni Council, and other volunteer groups.
Institutional Collaboration
-
Partner with Curatorial, Learning & Creativity, Visitor Experience, and museum leadership teams to identify funding opportunities and strengthen donor engagement.
-
Promote a culture of philanthropy across the museum by engaging colleagues in cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising activities.
-
Serve as acting department leader in the Director’s absence.
-
Perform other duties as assigned.
Education & Experience
-
Bachelor’s degree and minimum of four (4) years of successful professional fundraising OR 8+ years of comparable experience.
-
MA, MBA, MPA, or advanced certificate in philanthropy studies, arts management, museum studies, or non-profit management preferred.
Minimum Requirements
-
Candidates should submit a cover letter demonstrating outlining qualifications and interest in the role.
-
Major gift fundraising experience – a proven track record of raising five to seven figure gifts.
-
Strong interpersonal skills.
-
Proven ability to work effectively with a diverse population of donors and prospects, board members, staff, and community leaders.
-
Excellent written, verbal, and listening skills, including ability to make effective presentations to individuals and groups.
-
Demonstrated success in working both independently and as a team member to create and implement fundraising strategies at the major gifts level.
-
Strong sense of organization, planning, and time management.
-
Demonstrated discretion and excellent judgment in handling sensitive information.
-
Proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
-
Motivated self-starter with ability to work independently as well as function as part of a dynamic team.
-
Ability to plan, articulate, and execute fundraising plans for donor stewardship and engagement.
-
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and evening hours when required.
-
Travel required; must have a valid passport.
Preferred requirements
-
Comfort with database management and navigation, as well as project management development.
-
Knowledge of donor software programs, preferably Blackbaud products.
-
Arts or cultural professional experience highly desirable.
-
Demonstrated ability of soliciting and stewarding five-figure gifts.
