Director of Advancement at the Concord Museum

Job Title: Director of Advancement

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Concord, MA

Salary: $125,000

Description

ABOUT THE CONCORD MUSEUM

From “the shot heard round the world” to the inimitable writings of the Transcendentalists, from the antislavery movement to innovations in education and agriculture, from the first indigenous people to contemporary trailblazers – the town of Concord has been fertile soil for legendary acts of self-expression and social progress.

This is an exciting moment for the Concord Museum. Housing one of the most treasured collections of American material culture and decorative arts in the country, the Museum is unique in that it recounts stories from Concord’s remarkable past. With newly redesigned permanent galleries and a new Education Center, the Museum is well-positioned to launch itself into the future as never before. In 2017, the Museum completed The Campaign for the Concord Museum, a $13 million capital campaign to fund the construction of a new 12,900 square-foot Education Center that dramatically expands the Museum’s capacity to serve schoolchildren and adults with three new classrooms, a multipurpose Lyceum space, and an innovative History Learning Center for teaching directly from objects. In 2021, the Museum completed an additional $3 million New Museum Experience fundraising initiative that funded the complete redesign and fabrication of all new dynamic and multi-media installations of the permanent galleries. The recent renovations have resulted in expanded and modernized collections storage, new mechanical systems, and improved galleries that enable the Museum to better care for and display its exceptional collections. Additionally, as the country prepares for a series of events to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution all eyes will be on Concord in 2025 as the place where the Revolutionary War was ignited. The Museum will play a vital convening role for this important moment with extensive exhibitions and public programming. 

The Museum is governed by a 26-member Board of Governors, with a 65-member advisory Board of Trustees and over 200 active volunteers. The Museum’s new Edward W. Kane Executive Director, Lisa Krassner, started in September 2022 and brings new insights, energy, and a wealth of leadership experience from nearly 25 years at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural History. The organization is embarking on its next strategic planning process, and the new Director of Advancement will have an opportunity to help shape the priorities of the next five years, drive future growth, and have a significant impact on the Museum’s mission.

The Museum has an annual budget of approximately $2.3 million and operating reserves to support additional investment. Additionally, the Museum’s endowment is currently approximately $7 million. The Concord Museum has a talented and dedicated staff of 15 full-time employees and 30 part-time staff.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

As a member of the Museum’s senior management team, the Director of Advancement will work closely with the Museum’s Executive Director, Board of Governors, Trustees, volunteers, and key internal and external stakeholders to cultivate giving from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government sources and build awareness of the Museum and its mission. S/he will help forge new relationships to build the Museum’s visibility, impact, and financial resources. The Director of Advancement will expand the Museum’s individual donor base/pipeline and work closely with other team members to secure funding for new initiatives, systematically and effectively strengthening the Museum’s overall fundraising capacity

 Candidates will have high integrity, strong diplomatic skills, and extraordinary emotional intelligence in interacting with diverse constituencies and significant partners.  A management approach that is accessible, collaborative, and empowering must be demonstrated by results-oriented accountability and balance. The position oversees three full-time staff members (the Director of Marketing and Public Relations, the Development Officer, and the Development Associate), and works closely with key members of the Museum staff to achieve the Museum’s goals. S/he will demonstrate a commitment to growing the Museum’s DEAI statement and current programming, as well as a commitment to increasing the diversity among the Museum’s staff, Board leadership, and membership.

The ideal candidate will have superior communication skills engaging with a range of audiences, including volunteers, staff, business and community leaders, and the public. Comfort in the use of technology and digital media in promoting an institution and reaching audiences is highly desired.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESS, AND INCLUSION 

The Museum is committed to preserving the artifacts that recount all sides of this complex history and narrative by offering educational programs that shine light on once-hidden stories. In December 2021, the Board of Governors adopted a statement and action plan that underscores the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.

Oppression is woven throughout the history of the land now known as Concord. The colonists who lived here did so, in part, to escape the religious persecution they faced in England. They, in turn, oppressed the Indigenous communities who had lived in this area once called Musketaquid. While fighting a war for their own liberty, many revolutionary households were enslaving Africans. In more contemporary times, Concord continues to confront the mistreatment of marginalized groups in our midst and in our world. 

Some recent progress and ongoing efforts include: working with leaders of local tribal communities whose voices are featured prominently in the new People of Musketaquid gallery; all front-line staff who interact with the public and who provide interpretation of the galleries attend extensive training to be aware of unconscious bias and are educated in the appropriate use of language and terminology related to conveying this history; and in the summer of 2021, hiring an inaugural Thomas Dugan Curatorial Intern in collaboration with the Robbins House. 

To read the full statement and action plan (link): Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion statement.

Requirements

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Advancement will:

  • develop and implement a comprehensive and effective advancement strategy that increases financial support and visibility for the Concord Museum
  • manage the overall activities of the department including major gifts, planned giving; annual fund, special events, grants and sponsorships, marketing and PR, and other activities
  • pursue a fundraising campaign as part of the 250th anniversary of the Revolution to grow the endowment and ensure greater financial sustainability
  • significantly expand major gifts income, grow the donor base/pipeline, manage a major gifts portfolio of approximately 150 individuals, and solicit major gifts
  • staff the Development Committee of the Board and leverage their expertise and goodwill to further our fundraising efforts
  • take a strategic approach to special events and stewardship to engage our many audiences
  • strengthen corporate fundraising efforts to support exhibits and educational initiatives
  • develop and implement a robust planned giving program aimed at increasing support and cultivating deeper ties with donors
  • identify and write government, foundation, and private fundraising proposals and grants
  • research funding sources and trends to help position the Museum ahead of major funding changes and trends
  • support and partner with the Executive Director, Board of Governors, and other volunteers on all fundraising activities
  • oversee three full-time direct reports (Development Officer, Development Associate, and Director of Marketing and Public Relations).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

The Concord Museum seeks a Director of Advancement with:

  • a passion for museums and American revolutionary and literary history
  • a proven fundraising track-record with significant experience and demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and successfully closing leadership gifts ($25K+)
  • experience in program areas, including major gifts, capital campaigns, planned giving, special events, and corporate, foundation, and government support
  • strong strategic leadership skills
  • experience working closely with Board leadership and top volunteers
  • an ability to build long-term relationships and effectively relate to a wide range of constituencies.
  • an ability to create and implement an annual development plan; experience in setting, forecasting, and achieving departmental goals
  • superior organizational and time-management skills with exceptional attention to detail
  • proven success in a complex and fast-paced environment
  • outstanding verbal and written communication skills
  • a professional and resourceful style; the ability to work both independently and as a team player, to take initiative; have a high level of integrity and sound judgment
  • excellent computer and fundraising database skills.

A bachelor’s degree is required for this position. A minimum of five years of fundraising experience in a management role is preferred as is a master’s degree.

The successful candidate may work remotely as needed.

The Concord Museum is an equal opportunity employer and encourages a diverse pool of candidates.

Apply via AAM