Director of Development at the Albany Institute of History & Art

Job Title: Director of Development

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Albany, NY

Salary: $65,000

Description

The Albany Institute of History & Art seeks an experienced Director of Development to join its senior leadership team and provide strategic direction and guidance for the Development department. This staff position leads fundraising activities and initiatives and works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees to generate financial support for annual operating budget and planned growth for the museum.

The Director of Development is responsible for all aspects of fundraising, including ongoing support for institutional operations and long-term growth of endowments, individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation support. This individual will provide vision and oversee the development and implementation of a long-range fundraising plan; will grow individual and major gifts; oversee and increase memberships; maintain existing and seek new support from foundations, business and corporations, and government; create fundraising strategies for special events and special projects; and develop a schedule of strategic grant opportunities for general museum and special project funding.

In addition to leading the Department, the Director of Development will oversee an events manager, a development database associate, and a grants contractor. As a member of the Institute’s senior leadership team, the Director of Development must be a collaborative and creative individual who can work closely with all staff to achieve fundraising and budgetary goals.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director. It is full-time and based onsite in Albany, New York, with occasional commitments for weekends and evenings. In addition to a competitive salary, the Institute offers health benefits, generous paid time off, and contributions toward a retirement account.

To apply, please email cover letter, resume, and three references to Douglas McCombs at mccombsd@albanyinstitute.org. Applications accepted through August 16, 2023.

 

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Works with the Executive Director to identify and implement key fundraising strategies. Collaborates with Board of Trustees and key staff to implement strategies.
  • Oversees the annual Museum Gala and other fundraising events. Provides vision and sets goals for these events in consultation with Executive Director and Board of Trustees.
  • Stewards existing key donors and creates new opportunities for donor engagement.
  • Identifies and cultivates new key donors.
  • Supervises the development and implementation of annual appeals and other campaigns.
  • Oversees internal systems for collecting, managing, and leveraging donor data in Little Green Light database, which will help inform fundraising strategies.
  • Ensures that systems and procedures to track cultivation activities, gift entries, and acknowledgements are effective, timely, and responsive.
  • In collaboration with the Executive Director, curatorial department, and education department, develops special events (such as exhibition openings, cultivation trips, etc.) that align with the Institute’s mission and generate funding.
  • Develops a schedule of grant opportunities and coordinates with the Executive Director, museum departments, and grant contractor to target and apply for federal, state, and local grants.
  • Identifies regional and national foundations that align with institutional projects and mission.
  • Works with the Board of Trustees to support and guide their active participation in fundraising.
  • Manages and supervises department staff.
  • Oversees department staff projects and assignments and ensures their effective and efficient implementation.
  • Reviews, refines, develops, and implements written procedures to guide funds management within the Development department.
  • Conducts annual performance reviews.

Qualifications

    • B.A. in the humanities, business, or a related field required.
    • Must have at least seven years of development experience with successively advancing roles, preferably in a museum or similar cultural organization.
    • A proven record of successful fundraising that includes major gifts to meet planned strategic goals.
    • Proven managerial experience leading a team within a positive work environment.
    • Effective and congenial communication skills, both written and spoken.
    • Must be well-organized, punctual, and affable.
    • Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to multi-task effectively.

Apply via AAM