Deputy Director, Development [Frye Art Museum]

Frye Art Museum

Deputy Director, Development 

The Frye Art Museum seeks an inspiring leader to partner with the Director and Board of Trustees in building a robust philanthropic program and leading a department that includes development, membership, events, and volunteer services.

Mission Statement

The Frye Art Museum is a living legacy of visionary patronage and civic responsibility, committed to artistic inquiry and a rich visitor experience. A catalyst for our engagement with contemporary art and artists is the Founding Collection of Charles and Emma Frye, access to which shall always be free.

Position Summary

The Deputy Director, Development builds and manages a comprehensive fundraising program designed to secure financial resources to support the Frye Art Museum’s mission, programs, special projects, and operations.

This position requires an experienced, hands-on development professional who will achieve progressively higher levels of support for the Museum. The individual holding this position must be a strategic thinker and be able to work effectively within a dynamic museum environment.

The Deputy Director, Development is responsible for all aspects of development, membership, events, and volunteer programs at the Museum and supervises staff, interns, and work study students.

This position reports to the Director.

Key Responsibilities

Include, but are not limited to:

• In close collaboration with the Director, develop an integrated strategy to expand philanthropic support for the Museum and build a culture of philanthropy at all levels of the institution.
• Regularly establish goals and objectives, including fiscal year projections; evaluate programs; assess progress toward goals; and report on results to the Director and the Board of Trustees.
• Direct and execute all aspects of the Museum’s development program, including major gift cultivation and stewardship; foundation and government grants; corporate giving and sponsorships; capital, endowment, individual, annual and planned giving; and membership programs.
• Build strong and mutually beneficial relationships between the Museum and the diverse communities it serves to enhance public awareness of the Museum.
• Develop and implement an integrated strategy for a robust individual giving program.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift donors, with a focus on gifts of $25,000+.
• Integrate the Museum’s development priorities across the institution in collaboration with the Director and Deputy Directors.
• Develop and administer budgets supporting the Museum’s advancement priorities.
• Motivate and manage the Museum’s Development team. Plan, assign, and review the work of staff. Participate in the hiring and regular evaluation of Development staff.
• Attend and prepare departmental progress reports for monthly Board of Trustees’ Meetings; organize regular meetings of the Board of Trustees’ Development Committee; prepare and present progress reports on development initiatives. Engage Trustees in fundraising efforts where appropriate.
• Supervise the identification, recruitment, and training of volunteers in all aspects of the Museum’s operations and integrate them into the Museum’s fundraising activities.
• With the Deputy Director, Communications, develop a common strategy and language to support the Museum’s mission, strategic plan, and development goals.
• Oversee and coordinate a schedule of donor cultivation events, including exhibition openings, dinners, and member tours.
• Oversee the Museum’s use of the Altru database, managing strategic prospecting, fundraising progress, and milestone reports.
• Make presentations to a wide variety of audiences including key stakeholders, donors, and the Seattle artistic community.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• A passion for advancing the goals of the Frye Art Museum through philanthropic support and a strong affinity for Seattle, its cultural community, and global identity.
• 5+ years’ experience, including responsibility for providing broad oversight of institutional development efforts, securing major gifts, building individual support, managing Board-driven fundraising activities, and successfully meeting goals and timelines.
• Knowledge of the corporate, government, foundation, and philanthropic community in Seattle.
• Demonstrated fundraising success, particularly in the area of individual giving; experience managing portfolio of major gifts of $25,000+.
• Strong leadership, management, supervisory, training, and mentorship skills. Proven ability to be a team player and builder.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; a demonstrated ability to present ideas and information clearly and compellingly.
• Ability to set priorities and effectively represent the Museum with a wide range of stakeholders, exercising diplomacy, tact, and discretion.
• Ability to conform to Museum policies and support Board and leadership decisions in a positive manner.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining keen attention to detail.
• Proficiency with MS Office products including Word and Excel, as well Altru and other development software.
• Knowledge of art and multidisciplinary artistic practice a strong advantage.

Work Conditions and Standards

• Willing to work weekends and after hours when necessary.
• Represent the Museum with a high level of integrity and professionalism.
• Adhere to Museum policies, core values, strategic and institutional goals.
• Conform to the Code of Ethics of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Position Status

Full time, exempt.  Excellent benefits.

To apply, please email resume and cover letter stating salary requirements with “Deputy Director, Development” in the subject line to:director@fryemuseum.org.

The Frye is committed to diversity in the workforce and is an equal opportunity employer.  We do not discriminate in any employment decision on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, marital or veteran’s status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by local, state or federal law.