Director of Advancement
Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake
Blue Lake, NY
Anticipated Start Date: 07/01/2025
Description
The Director of Advancement will serve as the museum’s principal development strategist and fundraiser and will report to the Executive Director while building a network of new support for the mission of ADKX and stewarding its longtime donors. This leader will oversee donor relations, membership, major gifts, planned giving, grant writing, and special events as well as fundraising for capital and endowment campaigns.
ADKX’s current goal is $1.5 million in annual support and ADKX is in the planning phase of a $25 million capital campaign for educational, exhibition, infrastructure, and endowment growth. New exhibitions will focus on African American History, climate change, and the environment as well as other topics.
The Director of Advancement will manage a dedicated team of three to four people, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture aligned with the museum’s mission. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Advancement will contribute to organizational strategy, ensure the sustainability of fundraising programs, and represent ADKX with credibility, diplomacy, and enthusiasm.
Responsibilities
Fundraising Leadership
Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan, including the current capital campaign, major gifts, and planned giving.
Direct the planning and execution of high-impact fundraising events and campaigns.
Build, cultivate, and steward relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, and government donors.
Collaborate with staff and trustees to identify prospects and devise tailored engagement strategies.
Oversee grant writing and management, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
Serve as the staff liaison to the Development, Capital Campaign, and Governance and Nominating Committees of the Board.
Embrace other fundraising leadership tasks as needed.
Staff Management and Team Development
Lead and mentor the Advancement team, setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and fostering professional growth.
Coordinate departmental responsibilities through an annual work plan and master calendar.
Conduct annual staff evaluations and encourage a collaborative, mission-driven culture.
Ensure alignment between Advancement initiatives and organizational goals.
Work with senior leaders in education, curatorial, and marketing, among others, to identify and grow contributed and earned revenue.
Embrace other staff management and team development tasks as needed.
Organizing and Planning
Manage the Advancement Department’s budget, ensuring efficient use of resources to meet revenue targets.
Guarantee a comprehensive donor database is in place and maintained to track relationships and engagement.
Prepare reports and presentations for the board, including fundraising updates and donor insights.
Embrace other organizing and planning tasks as needed.
Donor and Member Relations
Strengthen donor engagement by crafting compelling cases for support and personalized stewardship plans.
Oversee membership programs, developing strategies to grow and retain members while enhancing their experience.
Collaborate with the marketing team to ensure consistent communication with donors, members, and the broader community.
Embrace other donor and member relations tasks as needed.
Requirements
Demonstrated success in securing major gifts and capital campaigns is essential, and museum experience is preferred.
A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of six years of related experience in nonprofit fundraising leadership are desirable.
The successful candidate will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong planning, administrative, and organizational skills.
They will be able to read and interpret financial reports and will have a working knowledge of legal issues related to fundraising.
Attendance at evening and weekend events will be necessary, as will some travel.
If you do not meet all the qualifications but possess transferable or equivalent skills, experience, or education, we encourage you to apply and highlight those areas.
Salary Range and Employee Benefits
$120,000-140,000
How to Apply for this Job
About the Organization
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