Chief Advancement Officer
New York Hall of Science
Corona, NY
Anticipated Start Date: July 14, 2025
Description
The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a strategic leadership role responsible for leading the advancement and growth initiatives of the organization. As a vital member of the executive team, the CAO will play a pivotal role in developing and executing comprehensive strategies that secure public and private funding, cultivate and maximize donor relationships, and elevate the organization’s visibility and impact.
Responsibilities
The CAO reports to the recently appointed President & CEO, Lisa Gugenheim, and will also work closely with the Board of Trustees, including the Institutional Advancement Committee, to develop and deliver a robust advancement strategy that aligns with the organization’s mission and long-term goals. The CAO oversees a team of seven including two direct reports.
Requirements
Strategic Fundraising Expertise: Proven ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies that align with organizational goals. Experience in securing major gifts, building donor pipelines, and identifying new revenue streams. Prior experience in a museum or other cultural institution, and/or not-for-profit organization is beneficial.
Frontline Major Gift Fundraiser: create and manage a portfolio of high potential donors.
Relationships Building and Stewardship: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, and board members. Skilled at cultivating long-term donor engagement and trust.
Leadership and Team Development: Demonstrated leadership in managing and mentoring high-performing advancement teams. Ability to foster a collaborative work environment focused on growth, innovation, and achieving ambitious goals.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Strong analytical skills to assess fundraising performance, leverage data to inform strategy adjustments, and ensure measurable outcomes. Experience with fundraising software and CRM systems is a plus. A track record of building and managing an ongoing pipeline of potential donors.
External Communications and Representation: Outstanding communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to represent the organization to diverse audiences, including donors, community partners, and media, effectively conveying its mission and impact.
Genuine interest in NYSCI’s mission and related fields.
Passion for education and STEM.
Strong relationship management skills at all levels.
High energy, enthusiasm, and a strong work ethic.
A bachelor’s degree is required, an advanced degree is preferred.
Bilingual and multilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Salary Range and Employee Benefits
The annual compensation range for this role is $250,000-$300,000 commensurate with experience and accomplishments, plus generous benefits.
How to Apply for this Job
Howe-Lewis International is pleased to assist NYSCI with this exciting search. Please email your resume and letter of interest in confidence to kirk@howe-lewis.com
About the Organization
New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) is New York City’s premier interactive museum of science and technology, a global leader in STEM education, and a laboratory for new forms of learning. Founded during the 1964-1965 World’s Fair, NYSCI is recognized for groundbreaking exhibitions, innovative educational programs, youth development and mentorship, teacher professional development initiatives, and small- and large-scale events that draw children and adults into experiential STEM learning. From Pre-K to college and beyond, NYSCI is creating a trajectory of STEM learning experiences to develop diverse pathways of opportunity for the problem solvers of tomorrow.
Located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park (alongside Citi Field, Flushing Meadows, and BJK Tennis Center), in the borough of Queens, NYSCI welcomes 500,000 visitors annually, provides professional development for more than 2,500 local teachers, and offers 2,000 high school and college students mentoring opportunities with STEM professionals.
Over the last three decades, 95 percent of the more than 4,000 young people participating in NYSCI’s Science Center Ladder program have gone on to college, and 70 percent of their alumni work in STEM fields. The cultural vibrancy and diversity of the audiences with which NYSCI engages is one of the science center’s greatest assets and informs the institution’s commitment to ensuring that exhibits and programs are accessible and relevant to all. NYSCI is more than a world-class destination for learning and play. It is where exhibits inspire visitors, where young scientists get their start, where community members come to learn, and where critical STEM education research occurs. For more information, please visit nysci.org.
FUNDING
NYSCI has a current annual operating budget of approximately $19 million. Approximately $15 million is from philanthropic and government sources. In support of its strategic direction, NYSCI must broaden its traditional base of philanthropic support by successfully instituting a comprehensive, strategic advancement program and building a robust culture of major gift philanthropy to generate increased support for NYSCI’s ongoing priorities as well as to ensure the institution’s continued success and growth and to elevate its public profile.
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