Development Director

Full-time

Overview:

The California Museum seeks a strategic, collaborative, and experienced fundraising professional to head the Museum’s development program, joining a small, dedicated team of professionals who are passionate about inspiring positive change through their work. By helping secure funding to carry out the Museum’s programs, this position advances our mission to educate people about California’s rich history, its diversity, and its unique influence on the world. This is a leadership position that works closely with the executive director and the board of trustees to design and execute a comprehensive fundraising program that includes corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, sponsorships, memberships, and grants.

Responsibilities:

• Promote a culture of philanthropy in partnership with the executive director, board of trustees, museum staff, volunteers, and community.
• Identify and cultivate new donors while energizing and stewarding the existing donor base
• Assist the board of trustees in cultivating and stewarding their funding connections
• Secure sponsors for the California Hall of Fame and for other mission-aligned projects
• Develop attractive donor recognition packages and oversee delivery of benefits
• Conduct ongoing evaluation of the development program, analyzing fundraising data to evaluate performance, and develop short-term and long-range plans to increase support
• Represent the Museum to current and prospective donors, community leaders, corporate representatives, and other professional contacts
• Identify grant opportunities, write proposals, ensure compliance with grant requirements, maintain a grants calendar and tracking/reporting system
• Assist with the production of events for funders, prospects, and members
• Oversee the Museum membership program, ensuring that it meets annual goals, provides engaging benefits, and engages a broad segment of the Museum’s local, regional and statewide community.
• Work with the membership/development coordinator to effectively manage donor database and ensure appropriate stewardship of gifts, donor acknowledgments, and benefits fulfillment
• Supervise development/membership coordinator, providing mentoring and oversight and setting clear direction
• Work with communications & marketing director to ensure consistent messaging and effective, on-brand donor communications materials.
• Work with the chief operating officer to ensure sound operation of fundraising procedures
• Serve as a collegial member of the Museum’s management team and promote collaboration across Museum departments.
• Other duties as required

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising best practices
• Exceptional written, oral, and public speaking skills
• Strong relationship management skills and the cultural competence to build authentic connections with people from diverse backgrounds to sustain a broad donor base
• Strategic thinking skills and sound judgment
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Abilities as a motivated self-starter who also works well as part of a team
• Flexibility, collegiality, and collaborative work ethic
• Ability to work effectively and comfortably on a PC platform, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, fundraising software, and donor databases

Qualifications:

• Five years of progressively responsible development experience
• Proven track record of generating major gifts and meeting fundraising goals
• Experience in high-profile board and donor relations, donor research
• Grants management experience
• Supervisory experience
• Bachelor’s degree required; certificate in fundraising management a plus
• Fluency in English required; bilingual a plus
• Access to reliable transportation to attend offsite events and meetings
• Flexibility to travel statewide and to attend evening/weekend events
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or an approved medical or religious exemptions

Position:

Full time, salaried exempt, reports to executive director. Typical work hours Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am- 5:00 pm. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. Eligible for up to 20% remote work upon request after 30 days. Pay range $100,000-$125,000 annually depending on qualifications.

Benefits:

• Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and 11 annual holidays
• Dental and vision insurance
• Employer-subsidized health plan
• 401(k) savings plan with employer match
• 20 percent employee discount in the Museum Store
• Complimentary Museum membership with reciprocal benefits

To Apply:

Please send cover letter, resume and three professional references in one Adobe Acrobat PDF file to jobs@californiamuseum.org. No phone calls, please.

California Museum Employment Policy:

The California Museum is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, accessibility and equity. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ability/disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.