Senior Manager of Development [Lyndhurst Historic Site]

The National Trust for Historic Preservation currently has a terrific opportunity for a mid career development professional to manage a full range of fundraising activities at Lyndhurst, one the nation’s premiere house museums, located in Tarrytown, NY. The Senior Manager of Development for Lyndhurst, is responsible for strengthening the financial health and capability of the site  through an active, comprehensive, and integrated fundraising program. A member of the senior staff and reporting to the Lyndhurst Executive Director, the Senior Manager of Development will plan, implement, manage, and carry out fundraising activities related to evolution of Lyndhurst as a financially stable and iconic institution. The Senior Manager is responsible for individual, corporate, foundation, and government fundraising. S/he will dedicate specific focus to the creation of an annual fundraising plan including membership and year-end solicitations, reintroduction of an annual fundraising event, ongoing donor cultivation and the targeting and solicitation of foundations. The Senior Manager’s work will draw on knowledge of public relations and the use of PR to increase visibility and donor support, as needed.

About Lyndhurst

Originally built in 1838, Lyndhurst is considered by many to be the most important American home of the 19th century. Designed by A.J. Davis, the Frank Lloyd Wright of the 19th century in Gothic Revival style, Lyndhurst was one of the first homes to be built in the Hudson Valley as a romantic retreat. With 15 outbuildings, including a bowling alley, greenhouse frame, swimming pool, kennel, carriage house complex, laundry building and two gate houses and housing an important collection of over 10,000 pieces of fine and decorative art, Lyndhurst is situated on 67 magnificently landscaped acres on the widest part of the lower Hudson River.  After a long period of inactivity, Lyndhurst is being reinterpreted, reinvented and restored. Lyndhurst is where the Hudson Valley begins.

DUTIES

Fundraising Activity Leadership

• Develop annual plan and manage   all annual fundraising activities, including: developing annual membership and year-end donation solicitations, identifying and writing government and foundation grant applications, cultivating and tracking of all donor levels; developing a strategy to expand corporate support; reintroducing an annual fundraising event and donor cultivation events,
• Identify, track and communicate with key donors.
• Develop new donor groups including those associated with new programs, particularly landscape-related donors
• Directly manage staff to market & deliver patron and VIP tours
• Working with director,  write and develop all needed collateral materials
• Organize and manage  maintenance of donor database
• Communicate development strategies, develop clear talking points for Lyndhurst staff and guides
• Serve as liaison and work in concert with National Trust for Historic Preservation development staff in Washington, DC
• Ensure donor recognition as appropriate

Donor Identification

• Develop strategy to identify and involve new individual donors by geography (Westchester, New York City, nationally/internationally) and by area of interest (iconic architecture, art, decorative arts, fashion, landscape, garden sculpture, etc.)
• Raise the organization’s level of participation in New York state grant programs, as appropriate, to achieve completion of major restoration projects
• Identify new sources of foundation and corporate giving to support operations and programmatic initiatives.

Fundraising Event Leadership

• Develop strategy for fundraising events and donor cultivation events with director and implement with staff
• Provide leadership in all fundraising events, including managing   staff, planning, financial goal tracking and communication/follow-up.

Communications & Engagement

• Identify and manage interns or consultants, as needed, and add staff as funding programs show success.
• Develop media outreach related to raising donor visibility for key programs and identify and manage outside consultants, as needed. Write and disseminate press releases and contact journalists.
• Manage the interface with website, and social media platforms for clear messaging/branding
• At least 8 years of professional level experience, including experience with budgeting, staffing, supervising professionals and leading  teams to generate high quality results,  preferably within a high profile non-profit setting.
• Advanced analytical and problem solving skills, including  issue identification and prioritization.
• Advanced project-management, team-management and client-management skills. Ability achieve results with only general supervision.
• Experience supervising professional staff, as well as successfully managing key internal and external stakeholders and relationships.
• Proven ability to collaborate across departments to implement processes and achieve results, as well as to work collaboratively with a small, dedicated team.  Track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Highly organized, with ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently and respond to a high volume of ongoing requests in a timely fashion.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment
• Personable style with effective presentation skills.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to articulate the site’s mission to a wide range of audiences in a variety of ways.
• Demonstrated success in marketing to and engaging culturally diverse audiences and partners.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and skill set essential.
• Proven ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications best practices.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required. Familiarity with other software, including donor or related databases, presentation software and social media platforms, a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent years of experience) required.  Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 8 years of professional level experience, including experience with budgeting, staffing, supervising professionals and leading  teams to generate high quality results,  preferably within a high profile non-profit setting.
• Advanced analytical and problem solving skills, including  issue identification and prioritization.
• Advanced project-management, team-management and client-management skills. Ability achieve results with only general supervision.
• Experience supervising professional staff, as well as successfully managing key internal and external stakeholders and relationships.
• Proven ability to collaborate across departments to implement processes and achieve results, as well as to work collaboratively with a small, dedicated team.  Track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Highly organized, with ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently and respond to a high volume of ongoing requests in a timely fashion.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment
• Personable style with effective presentation skills.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to articulate the site’s mission to a wide range of audiences in a variety of ways.
• Demonstrated success in marketing to and engaging culturally diverse audiences and partners.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and skill set essential.
• Proven ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications best practices.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required. Familiarity with other software, including donor or related databases, presentation software and social media platforms, a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent years of experience) required.  Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum 7 years direct fundraising experience.  Proven leadership in development areas of campaigns, donor cultivation, membership development and organizational coordination.  Prior work in the art/design/museum/botanical garden world is preferred.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your cover letter and resume to: 240711-CS-11980@nthp.hrmdirect.com.