About the Museum:

For over eighty years, the history of the ocean and its relationship with humankind has been told and displayed in one of the largest maritime museums in the world. Founded in 1930 by Archer Milton Huntington, The Mariners’ Museum, designated by Congress as “America’s National Maritime Museum”, sits in an urban oasis – the 550 acre park is now home to the 167-acre Lake Maury and the Noland Trail – a five-mile shoreline trail with fourteen bridges. Within the Museum we have 90,000 square feet of exhibition galleries, including the prestigious International Small Craft Center, and the award-winning USS Monitor Center. This state-of-the-art exhibition and largest marine metals conservation lab in the world  houses 210 tons of artifacts from the Civil War ironclad Monitor, which were recovered in partnership with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the United States Navy . The Museum’s own object collection consists of 32,000 pieces, with a focus on paintings, prints, and drawings; scientific instruments; figureheads; ship models; marine engines; and other forms of maritime art and material culture.

About the USS Monitor

The USS Monitor fought the confederate ironclad CSS Virginia in the battle of Hampton Roads on March 9, 1862. Although the battle is considered a draw, it marked a turning point in naval technological development. On December 31, 1862, the USS Monitor sank off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with the loss of 16 men. In 1973, researchers discovered the wreck site. In 1975, Congress designated the wreck as the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, the nation’s first national marine sanctuary administered by NOAA. In 1986, Monitor was designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1987, NOAA selected The Mariners’ Museum as the official repository for the Monitor collection. By 2002, after a series of archeological excavations, over 200 tons of artifacts had been recovered from the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Today, this collection is being conserved and exhibited at The Mariners’ Museum as part of the world’s largest marine archeological metals conservation project.

About the Position:

Reporting to the Board of Directors of the USS Monitor Foundation, the Chief Development Officer of the USS Monitor Foundation is responsible for raising funds and awareness for the USS Monitor and its conservation. This is a national initiative which requires a self-starter, motivated individual with an ambitious goal of developing a national and

international fundraising campaign that will require significant travel. The offices of the USS Monitor Foundation are located at The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News Virginia.   The conservation of the USS Monitor collection is a joint collaboration between The Mariners’ Museum and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with direct oversight by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

Duties:

  • Responsible for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual, corporate and foundation prospects capable of making multi-year pledges of $10,000 or more in support of USS Monitor Foundation goals
  • Builds and maintains a portfolio of 200+ prospects
  • Devise a holistic philanthropic strategy for each prospect in the portfolio
  • In collaboration with the Board of Trustees of the USS Monitor Foundation, devise a legacy gift strategy for each appropriate prospect in the portfolio
  • Conduct 10 – 15 personal visits per month in addition to engaging prospects at special events
  • In collaboration with the Board of Trustees of the USS Monitor Foundation, plan and implement cultivation events and special projects in order to engage donors and prospects
  • Develop targeted solicitation proposals and stewardship material for donors and prospects
  • Continually research, assess and upgrade portfolio of prospects
  • Maintain accurate and complete records of donor contacts and communications
  • Seek advice and guidance on fundraising efforts from the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Business Advisory Council and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
  • Coordinate monthly meetings detailing progress of fundraising efforts for Monitor Foundation Board of Trustees

Job Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Must possess exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including public speaking and meeting facilitation
  • Ability to motivate and interact effectively with the Board of Directors, volunteers, and donors
  • Possession of a collegial style that promotes team work, creativity and open communication
  • Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities
  • Well organized and detail oriented
  • Ability to use computer software required including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Altru database (preferred)
  • Ability to manage complex event budgets and annual expense budgets
  • Extensive knowledge of fundraising principles, techniques and ethics
  • Experience in devising strategies for cultivation and solicitation of major gifts
  • Interest in the Civil War and knowledge of the significance of the USS Monitor required
  • Ability to work independently, prioritize, and manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Familiarity with the broader National Marine Sanctuary System of the United States

Education, Licensure, Certifications:

Bachelors degree and 5-10 years of development experience with increasing responsibility; successful history in major gifts and fundraising

Conditions of Employment:

Extensive overnight travel required

APPLY FOR THIS JOB

Contact Person: Amy Witten Phone: 7579520477
Email Address: awitten@marinersmuseum.org
Apply URL: http://www.marinersmuseum.org/employment