Job Description

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is now seeking a senior development professional to strengthen fundraising, drive contributed revenue and enhance connections with constituents throughout the Kansas City region and the world.  Without question, the position offers an extensive array of challenges and rewards within one of the most important cultural institutions in the nation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Director and Chief Executive Officer, the Director, Advancement will provide leadership, management and coordination for the museum’s broad-based individual and institutional fundraising efforts and membership activities. The Director, Advancement devises and implements strategies leading to the Museum’s increasing self-sufficiency through annual support, major and capital gifts, membership, foundation and government grants, corporate partnerships, planned gifts and special events. The position will be a hands-on and deeply involved fundraiser, who will leverage and help coach the organization’s leaders, staff and board members in integrating a fundraising perspective into all aspects of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s activities, programs, exhibitions and operations.
With a total team of over 13 individuals, the Director, Advancement will directly manage four professionals including the Senior Development Director-Corporate & Foundation Support; Development Director-Membership; Development Director-Individual & Major Gifts; and the Division Coordinator. Specific responsibilities include:
  • Ensure that the organization can respond quickly, effectively, creatively and contextually to long term financial requirements, short term operating needs and to donor interests and opportunities.
  • Enhance the long term cultivation of individual and institutional donors, capture/utilize donor information effectively and ensure the infrastructure appropriately supports the activities of the team.
  • Recruit, retain, evaluate, motivate and inspire a team of development professionals with the appropriate donor cultivation, individual giving and institutional giving skills and experiences and set targets for development and other team members.
  • Define staff roles in fundraising and identify board members that will be actively involved in fundraising activities.
  • Engage with curators, affiliate groups and volunteers to leverage the resources of the department and deepen the donor connections to programmatic and curatorial goals.
  • Work with the Director and CEO, the Chief Operating Officer, the development team and other members of the staff and board to establish clear standards for stewardship, donor recognition and institutional sponsorship.
  • Continually upgrade fundraising practices and infrastructure to best practices nationally and ensure successful adherence to grant and restricted giving agreements.
  • Maximize membership growth and retention, increase membership loyalty to and involvement in the museum and cultivate members as donors and influencers of donors.
  • Develop a life-long planned giving program and establish intergenerational relationships between donors, their families and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
  • Collaborate with the Director and CEO and financial staff in the preparation of annual operating plans and budgets, incorporating fundraising projections into the budget of the organization.
Immediate objectives will include: 1) gaining a thorough understanding of the organization including its history, culture, art, programs, constituencies, and funding requirements; 2) developing strong relationships with and securing the trust and confidence of the Director and CEO, the Chair of the Board and other staff, board members and constituents who are critical to the fundraising efforts; and 3) assess fundraising initiatives currently in-process and provide proactive support for such efforts while simultaneously working with department leaders to develop an updated, comprehensive fundraising plan.

Job Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
  • An undergraduate degree is required, with an advanced degree strongly preferred.
  • A minimum of 10+ years of experience, demonstrating a positive track record of upward mobility and successful results is required.
  • Targeted candidates will possess a solid background of experience in a culture/art-focused organization, strong relationships in the Kansas City community, or both.
  • Significant fundraising experience with a sizable institution is required. A broad-based development background encompassing capital campaigns; direct mail public, foundation and corporate grants; major gifts; planned giving; annual funds and special events is necessary.
  • Must possess a demonstrated record of personal success in raising significant gifts (i.e., successful six/seven-figure asks) from individuals, businesses, foundations, corporations and/or the public sector.
  • Experience leveraging fundraising databases and support systems (particularly Raiser’s Edge) for donor segmentation, research and volunteer management is required.
  • Leadership background should include proven ability to manage, motivate and direct a sizeable internal staff and external consultants, and in coordinating and supporting the fundraising activities of others.
  • Specific experience in structuring sponsorship and/or membership programs is preferred.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including proposals, solicitation letters and other donor correspondence.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
  • Must be a passionate advocate for the mission of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and serve as an energizing force for the organization by building enthusiasm for its exhibitions and programs and creating innovative approaches that advance its impact on individuals and communities (local, regional, national and global).
  • While a professional background in an arts organization is not required, candidates must possess an interest in the world of art and culture.
  • Must have exceptional leadership capabilities with the ability to establish credibility among diverse constituencies, and a deep knowledge of the skills and practices necessary to inspire giving from a variety of sources.
  • A good listener and strategist who is comfortable receiving input from many sources and is able to analyze and formulate disparate information into a sound, well-organized plan.
  • Must project exceptional leadership attributes (e.g., mentor/coach) and solid personnel and project management skills while at the same time be willing to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of advancement activities.
  • Bold and determined, yet tactful and respectful of other’s concerns. A skilled negotiator with the flexibility and creativity needed to find alternative ways to reach funding objectives when barriers arise.
  • Must possess confidence, maturity, professionalism and integrity that is beyond reproach.
  • An outgoing self-starter with a high level of initiative, energy and drive along with a good sense of humor.
THE COMMUNITY
Geographically, this position is located in the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area, a community known for solid philanthropic support and a thriving arts community. The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is located in close proximity to the Nelson-Atkins, as is the Kansas City Art Institute, an accredited four year college of fine arts and design. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts opened in 2011 and is home to the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera, and Kansas City Symphony. The region also boasts impressive jazz and blues roots, while the Crossroads Art District has helped revitalize downtown as a showplace for art galleries, public arts and architecture combined with entertainment and business.
The Kansas City region is ranked by several national publications as one of the best places to live and work in the United States.  Relevant websites that provide meaningful information about the region are as follows:
  • The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art www.nelson-atkins.org
  • Kansas City Economic Development Council www.thinkkc.com
  • Visit Kansas City www.visitkc.com
  • New York Post Travel Article www.nypost.com
  • Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce www.kcchamber.com
  • Kansas City Business Journal www.bizjournals.com
COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package, corresponding to the experience level, credentials and personal characteristics of the candidate will be offered.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. Our staff and volunteers are among our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our staff and volunteers invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and achievement as well.
We embrace and encourage our staffs’ and volunteers’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make us unique.

APPLY FOR THIS JOB

Email Address: ksummers@nelson-atkins.org
Phone: 8167511276
Apply URL: http://nelson-atkins.org/get-involved/careers/?gnk…