The Springfield Museums, located in Springfield, Massachusetts is seeking a Director of Development.

Description:
The Director of Development is responsible for providing leadership to the Springfield Museums’ development efforts. In conjunction with the Capital Campaign Manager, the Director of Development will be instrumental in supporting the remaining phase of the Capital Campaign which will continue through calendar year 2016, achieving a goal of $7,000,000. Following the completion of the Campaign, the incumbent will work closely with the President, Vice President, and Manager of Development and will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the design and implementation of a comprehensive strategic fundraising effort to raise more than $1 million annually in restricted and unrestricted gifts, grants and sponsorships in support of exhibitions, education programs, general support, capital projects and other special events.

She/He will be responsible for the following:
Develop and maintain a long-range plan for areas of responsibility with strategic directions consistent with the Museums’ mission, purpose, goals and objectives.

Develop and implement a plan of action for generating major gifts of $1,000,000+ with an emphasis on five (5) and six (6) figure gifts to enhance ongoing revenue growth with a strategic focus on retaining and upgrading donors.

Establish a giving program for local businesses and individual campaigns.

Oversee the research of current and potential funders. Plan and initiate fund raising strategies, set goals, plan and implement all campaigns, capital improvements, and similar efforts for operating support, special exhibitions, programs and projects.

Identify, cultivate, and solicit national, regional and local prospects, organizations, and volunteers in support of the Museums’ programs.

Manage solicitation of new and renewing funders and the personal portfolio of individual donors to include prospect identification, qualification, engagement, solicitation, stewardship activities and special fundraising events.

In collaboration with the Manager of Development, develop, implement and maintain reporting mechanisms in order to track and evaluate fundraising plans for corporate, foundation, individual, and membership campaigns.  Oversee grants and the grant reporting process,  provide assistance to the Manager of Development as necessary.

Ensure that key foundation, government and corporation grant opportunities are pursued, and that grant reporting and communication are carefully managed and communicated on timely basis.

Conceptualize and collaborate with the Public Relations and Marketing staff to create a comprehensive communications plan for cultivating donors and soliciting gifts. Provide recommendations on the design and preparation of fund raising materials for prospective members and the solicitation of gifts.

Meet frequently with department staff and maintain close communication with Trustees and committees members. Serve as a liaison between staff, the Board of Trustees, the Capital Campaign Steering Committee, the Development & Membership Committee and related subcommittees and task force groups as assigned by the President.

In collaboration with the Manager of Development and the Development & Membership Associate, design a strategic plan for the Museum’s membership programs aimed at increasing membership and upgrading members to the Museums’ highest membership level,
Contribute to the design and implementation of membership and special fundraising events.

Regularly evaluate the Development and Membership operations, and the annual operational budget to ensure effective cost controls.

Keep apprised of the computerized donor database; the matching gifts and in-kind gift solicitation and responses.

Represent the Springfield Museums at various public functions, including evening and weekend receptions, dinners and donor cultivation events.

Perform other tasks as assigned or requested by supervisors.

Qualifications:
This position requires an individual who has knowledge of and demonstrated ability to apply best practices and industry standards in order to lead and manage a successful development effort. The selected candidate must be a successful fund raiser with the ability to establish fundraising priorities and achieve fundraising goals. She/He must be a creative, energetic and entrepreneurial individual who is well organized and thrives in a fast paced and challenging environment. In-depth knowledge of museum philanthropy with a background in donor relations, long-term cultivation, solicitation of major gifts, planned giving, foundations and funding sources is essential. Excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively and professionally with staff, administration, prospective and current donors, trustees, members, and volunteers is essential. Demonstrated experience writing competitive grant proposals for high level national funding sources (public and private) and experience managing staff and multiple competing needs, interests, and personality types of donors and upper level members within a museum or educational organization is necessary. Seven (7) years of experience and a Bachelor’s Degree is required, an advanced degree is desirable. Occasional evening and weekend hours and the ability to travel as needed are required.

To Apply:
Please provide a letter of application, resume, a writing sample, and salary requirements by Friday, August 5, 2016 to:
jmuratore-pallatino@springfieldmuseums.org.