Description
Director, Donor Engagement
Williams College Museum of Art
The Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) seeks a Director of Donor Engagement to lead the museum's fundraising efforts. This senior management position reports to the museum's Director and works very closely with Williams College's Division of College Relations and Development. We seek a creative, intellectually curious and highly organized team player who will thrive in a liberal arts college environment.
The Williams College Museum of Art makes dynamic art experiences to incite new thinking about art, museums, and the world. The Williams College Museum of Art is a vibrant center for the arts at Williams that embodies the potential for the liberal arts to catalyze our ability to think creatively and critically. It is a vital hub for deep student learning and participation; for taking risks and testing creative, future forms of scholarship and teaching; and for boldly affirming the relevance of the history of art and the arts broadly. Partnering closely with art department faculty and others, we aim not just to sustain but also to revitalize the college's world-class legacy in the visual arts for generations to come. Visit our website: http://wcma.williams.edu/.
The Director of Donor Engagement will develop a strategic plan for donor relations and museum stewardship focusing principally on individual giving. S/he works closely with the museum's advisory committee; identifies, cultivate and solicit donors; develops and oversees the museum's various membership programs; and oversee foundation, government, and corporate grant support. The Director of Donor Engagement manages a staff of two.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop an overarching strategy of member and donor engagement with the museum, from free membership to high-level members, with associated cultivation events
- Work closely with the Director to manage and further define the role of the museum’s advisory committee, identify and solicit new members of the committee, plan meetings, and act as a liaison between council members and museum staff
- Conceptualize and collaborate with museum and communications staff to create a comprehensive communications plan for cultivating donors and soliciting gifts, including developing new marketing materials for prospective members and the solicitation of gifts of art
- Creates innovative programs and projects to thank and steward donors; ensures the external reporting to donors on endowments
- Collaborate with development colleagues and the Museum Director to determine both an annual fundraising goal and objective for its Fellows Program
- Develop processes with associated infrastructure that will systematize donor records including art collections, and track donor reports, gift acknowledgements, follow-ups and other communications
- Develop a strategic plan for the museum’s membership programs aimed at increasing membership and moving members into the museum’s high-level membership “Fellows” program
- Supervise and manage the Membership/Special Events Manager to ensure that the museum’s targeted guests are informed and cultivated
- Supervise and manage the museum’s part-time Grants Manager, ensuring that key foundation, government and corporation grant opportunities are pursued, and that grant reporting and communication are carefully managed and timely
- Works closely with Development staff to report to donors on the use of gifts, to arrange meetings between donors and beneficiaries, if appropriate, and to help celebrate gifts
The successful candidate should be an energetic liberal arts generalist who loves higher education, is highly organized, and has highly developed skills working with a diversity of people and groups. S/he must have a Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent with a minimum of five years of experience in a field in which building and sustaining relationships over time was critical. A background in donor relations, including long-term cultivation, solicitation, tracking of donor contact and the associated technology required for accurate data management desired but not strictly required. S/he must have a passion for persuading others to make a difference through museum support and donations of art. Demonstrated experience and success establishing fundraising priorities, achieving fundraising goals, maintaining contact with major donors, board members, and corporate and foundation leaders, and the ability to inspire others.
Knowledge and enthusiasm for art history, so as to be conversant with donors and curators. Experience managing staff and multiple competing needs, interests, and personality types of donors and high-level members. Available for travel as needed.
Review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. Job group 2-E.
Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable.
To apply for this position, please visit https://employment.williams.edu/staff. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-4247 or email at hr@williams.edu.
Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive.
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