Associate Director of Advancement

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Director of Advancement serves as a senior leader within the Advancement Department and the principal partner to the Director of Advancement in achieving the museum’s philanthropic goals. The Associate Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the museum’s fundraising programs, translating institutional priorities into measurable fundraising outcomes.

The Associate Director oversees frontline fundraising efforts, including major gifts, leadership annual giving, planned giving, campaign fundraising, and institutional giving, while maintaining a personal portfolio of leadership donors and prospects. Working closely with the Director of Advancement, the Associate Director develops fundraising strategy, establishes performance metrics, oversees forecasting and pipeline management, and ensures effective coordination of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities across the department.

The Associate Director serves as a coach, mentor, and manager for frontline fundraising staff and helps foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the institution.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising Leadership & Strategy

• Partner with the Director of Advancement to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with institutional priorities and annual revenue goals.
• Lead the museum’s frontline fundraising program, including major gifts, leadership annual giving, planned giving, campaign fundraising, and institutional giving.
• Supervise and mentor Managers of Philanthropy, Manager of Leadership Annual Giving, and Manager of Donor Relations & Stewardship, and other fundraising staff as assigned.
• Translate departmental goals into measurable fundraising plans and individual performance objectives.
• Collaborate with Advancement leadership to identify emerging opportunities for philanthropic growth and donor engagement.
• Work with museum leadership to actively engage their partnership in fundraising strategies and solicitations.

Portfolio & Revenue Management

• Maintain a portfolio of leadership and major gift prospects capable of making significant annual, campaign, endowment, and planned gifts.
• Lead regular portfolio review meetings and ensure effective moves management practices across all fundraising staff.
• Partner with the Manager of Advancement Services to oversee prospect management systems, revenue forecasting, and fundraising analytics.
• Monitor fundraising performance and provide strategic recommendations to ensure achievement of annual and long-range fundraising goals.

Staff Leadership & Management

• Establish portfolio standards, fundraising expectations, and performance benchmarks.
• Foster professional development, accountability, collaboration, and innovation among fundraising staff.
• Provide coaching on donor strategy, solicitation planning, stewardship, and relationship management.

• Campaign & Volunteer Leadership
• Support planning and implementation of capital, endowment, and special fundraising campaigns.
• Partner with the Director of Advancement and volunteer leaders to develop campaign strategies and donor engagement plans.
• Serve as primary point of contact for Advancement Committee-coordinate meetings and content.
• Support fundraising activities associated with the Board of Directors, Advancement Committee, National Council, Board Alumni Council, and other volunteer groups.

Institutional Collaboration

• Partner with Curatorial, Learning & Creativity, Visitor Experience, and museum leadership teams to identify funding opportunities and strengthen donor engagement.
• Promote a culture of philanthropy across the museum by engaging colleagues in cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising activities.
• Serve as acting department leader in the Director’s absence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.