The Director of Development (DoD) will have primary responsibility for all aspects of the museum’s fundraising and philanthropic programs and will serve as a key member of the leadership team. Reporting to the CEO, the DoD will be responsible for conceiving, planning, and executing the museum’s fundraising strategy and engaging donors in the museum’s strategic direction while fostering a vibrant culture of philanthropy. The DoD will work closely with the CEO, board, senior staff, volunteers, museum partners, and community to cultivate new donors while energizing the donor base. The DoD will identify and secure six-figure major gifts, corporate partnerships, and institutional grants. They will also conceive and implement annual and capital fundraising campaigns, energize and grow membership, reinvigorate special fundraising events, and expand the legacy gift program. The DoD will be responsible for leading the division team of eight and directing the activities of Major Gifts, Membership, Grants, Database Management, and Events and Rentals to achieve fundraising goals of more than $5 million annually.

Roles and Responsibilities

Fundraising Leadership

1. Develop a vision and strategy to increase contributed revenue, including restricted and unrestricted support from individual, government, foundation, and corporate donors, for exhibitions, major initiatives, acquisitions, endowment, and annual operating support.
2. Guide, cultivate, and increase the regular and premier membership base and affinity groups while actively developing a pipeline for community engagement and support.
3. Work with and oversee the activities of the museum’s affinity organizations in general and specifically in their activities to fundraise for the museum such as with the annual Festival of Trees and Traditions and Fine Art and Flowers.
4. Drive the planning and execution of the annual museum gala, establishing and working with a robust committee structure to coordinate all activities necessary for its success.
5. Cultivate and inspire legacy gifts and oversee the stewardship and benefit of planned gifts to the museum.
6. Prepare and organize for a major capital campaign in 2026-27 to help build the endowment, fund capital improvements, and support financial well-being.
7. Invigorate and implement annual fundraising events, activities, and special campaigns to grow donor participation and welcome new communities to the museum.
8. Collaborate with the CEO and Nominating and Governance Committee Chair to strengthen and expand the Board of Trustees, deepen existing relationships, and serve as a primary point of contact and an effective partner with the board.
9. Support the Board’s development activities to advance development goals
10. Serve as one of the Wadsworth’s key representatives in the community, actively seeking opportunities to engage with the broader stakeholders and participate in events that position the museum for improved support.
11. Advise the CEO and board on ways to increase their community, regional, national, and international networking capabilities and advance the museum’s community engagement plan.
12. Embrace other fundraising leadership tasks as needed.

Departmental Strategic Planning and Operations

1. Collaborate with the CEO and the Director of Finance to establish fiscal goals and provide projections that accurately reflect anticipated revenues for the organization, presenting regular progress reports.
2. Create an ambitious and comprehensive written annual development plan and calendar with clearly defined goals, objectives, timelines, and assignment of responsibilities.
3. Train, mentor, and support museum colleagues and the board in their donor and prospect engagement activities, seeking ways to maximize their personal giving and participation in philanthropic programs.
4. Collaborate with curatorial staff to secure the necessary funding for the thoughtful and illuminating exhibits that are vital to community engagement and the national and international reputation of the museum.
5. Ensure that all departmental resources are properly and efficiently allocated, and that prospect research, outreach, solicitation, and stewardship are expertly executed to meet all fundraising goals and benchmarks.
6. Provide oversight and support to grant writing activities and final submissions.
7. Direct the strategic use of the Tessitura database and other development communication tools, coordinating development communications with existing and potential donors to ensure the highest level of donor engagement, satisfaction, and expressions of appreciation.
8. Embrace other departmental strategic planning and operations as needed.

Team Mentorship, Administration, and Oversight

1. Ensure that the museum's internal culture, technological systems, and procedures support the development team as the foundation of a vibrant organization.
2. Manage the day-to-day operations to ensure that all administrative and operational aspects of development are executed at a high level of quality and efficiency.
3. Establish and oversee annual fundraising calendars, including deadlines for grant reporting and applications.
4. Motivate, supervise, evaluate, and mentor development staff.
5. Create a supportive, collaborative, productive, and healthy work environment based on respect, teamwork, and clear expectations and responsibilities.
6. Set performance standards, provide timely and constructive feedback, and support opportunities for professional development.
7. Embrace other team mentorship, administration, and oversight responsibilities, as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

The DoD will be a goal oriented and confident self-starter with the ability to influence and motivate others around a clear strategic vision. Energized by working in the community, the DoD will be a passionate, visible, and informed advocate for the museum who can effectively engage existing and potential supporters in its mission and programs. Comfortable balancing both relationship-oriented and task-focused responsibilities, the DoD will structure compelling opportunities for support to positively impact the organization’s long-term success.

Other key competencies of this role include:

1. Donor Focus and Diplomacy – The dexterity to commit to donor and member satisfaction with a high value on multiple stakeholder needs, anticipate challenges, and develop appropriate solutions while building rapport and relating well to many community members regardless of cultural differences.
2. Leadership and Teamwork – The ability to organize and motivate others to accomplish extraordinary goals while creating a sense of order, direction, and active participation among team members.
3. Interpersonal Skills – The capacity to build rapport and relate well to many different kinds of people.
4. Goal Orientation – The tenacity to achieve inspirational and attainable goals while building trust and demonstrating the ability to lead, motivate, and organize a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.