Vice President of Institutional Advancement [Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, OH]

The Vice President of Institutional Advancement oversees a staff of nine and an expense budget of $1.1 million and a revenue budget of $5 million. The Museum Center’s total annual budget is about $25 million. The vice president has primary responsibility for identifying, facilitating and securing gifts and grants to ensure that capital, endowment, and supplementary budget needs of CMC are fulfilled on an annual basis.  As such, the vice president will be involved in strategic planning for CMC, and in the execution of those strategic plans.  Specifically, over the next several years, the vice president will be responsible for coordinating and operating a multi-million dollar comprehensive campaign to address CMC’s operating, endowment and facilities needs. The vice president will be expected to set ambitious goals and develop innovative strategies for increasing contributions for expanded programs, endowment growth and capital projects.

Position

Reports to: President/CEO in parallel with other vice presidents for museums, exhibits and museum planning, marketing, and finance and administration.

Supervises multiple (currently nine total staff with three senior-level direct report)

Major Responsibilities:

1. Manage all fund-raising programs that generate unrestricted support for annual operations and restricted support for specific programs, areas of collections/research, exhibits  and endowment. Primary fundraising activities include: major gifts and planned giving, individual annual giving and gift clubs; individual and family membership revenues; donor cultivation and special events; corporate relations; foundation relations; government relations; prospect research, gift processing, and stewardship.*
2. Manage the development department, including budgeting and reporting. Supervise, train, and evaluate department staff.  *
3. Vice President, Institutional Advancement, also serves as President of the Cincinnati Museums Foundation.  The Foundation provides financial support for the benefit of Cincinnati Museum Center and other tax exempt entities of which the Cincinnati Museum Center is the sole member.  This includes the operation and management of an endowment fundraising program for CMC.
4. Supervise volunteer services department and programs.  *
5. Manage leadership volunteer Advisory Boards, which support individual museums within the organization and act as advocates in the community.   These Advisory Boards support the sustainability of the institution and are instrumental in helping CMC to identify, cultivate and engage leadership volunteers and community advocates. *
6. Serves as liaison with the Advancement Committee, a board member sub-committee elected by the trustees, to advance short and long-term fundraising goals.  *
7. Advise and assist the President/CEO in planning and executing CMC policies and programs.  As a member of the president’s senior staff, work collaboratively with fellow vice presidents and other divisions, participate in planning, administration, and general management of CMC.
8.  Monitor trends and legislative and regulatory developments at the federal, state, and local levels affecting cultural and nonprofit institutions, and philanthropy, in general.

• A baccalaureate degree; advanced degree desirable.

• Ten years or more experience and demonstrated success in different areas of institutional advancement with a track record in closing major gifts in a non-profit setting.  Museum experience a plus.

• Experience and demonstrated success in one or more comprehensive capital or endowment campaigns.

• Demonstrated ability to manage, inspire, and lead a professional staff.

• Demonstrated achievement in organizing and motivating trustees, staff, and key volunteers to participate effectively in fundraising activities.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated understanding of and appreciation for the distinctive value of museums and cultural institutions.

• Valid driving license with good driving record.

The Ideal Person Should Be:

Organized.

A strong manager.

Collaborative and collegial with peers, subordinates, and volunteer leadership within the institution and with its external partners.

A person of professional integrity, sound judgment, and initiative.