Director of Foundation and Government Affairs

Feb 21

The Phillips Collection
Washington, DC

Anticipated Start Date: 3/15/2025

Description

The Director of Foundation and Government Affairs is a creative leader responsible for stewarding and growing a pipeline of current and prospective institutional donors—foundations, government agencies, and diplomatic partners—to position The Phillips Collection for long-term sustainability as it begins its second century.

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the incumbent will generate $2M+ in revenue annually, with progressive growth in subsequent years in alignment with the ambitious goals of the Strategic Plan. Funds raised will support general operations; special exhibitions; digital initiatives; education and community engagement programs; diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI) initiatives; capital needs; and special events. The Director of Foundation and Government Affairs is responsible for overseeing the Grants Manager, collaborating with the Operations team, and serving as a leader within the Advancement Department and collaborates cross-departmentally to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward institutional donors in an effort to align museum priorities.

The Phillips Collection Advancement Department is in an exciting time of transition, following a highly successful Centennial Campaign, the arrival of a new leadership (a new Museum Director and CEO in March 2023 and Chief Advancement Officer in October 2023), and record-breaking successes across the museum in FY24. A new strategic plan was approved in June 2024 to shape the near-term future and priorities of the museum. This position will work with the Advancement Department to cultivate an increasingly diverse pipeline of prospective donors, evaluating and enhancing all aspects of annual fundraising so as to support the museum’s commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Portfolio and Prospect Management

Direct institutional giving program, supervising the Grants Manager to secure and steward support from foundations, government agencies, and diplomatic partners
Maintain an active donor portfolio and advance relations with leaders from foundations, government agencies, and embassies
Lead the institutional giving team in developing and implementing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies customized for institutional donor
Collaborate with museum leadership and trustees in peer-to-peer fundraising efforts
Direct the grants program by collaborating with the Grants Manager to oversee the preparation and submission of compelling, accurate grant proposals and grant stewardship reports
Lead the museum’s involvement with local and federal government agencies, including advocating for the arts, preparing and/or giving public testimony with relevant colleagues, coordinating with political consultants, meeting with government officials, and securing
Congressional honorees for special events
Forge excellent working relationships with staff across the institution to gain understanding of the museum’s priorities, programs, initiatives; engage staff in proposal development, meetings, and events as appropriate
Participates in Trustee committee meetings, including the Advancement Committee, to ensure alignment and follow through on pipeline development

General Management

Prepare annual projections for foundation, government, and diplomatic agency revenue and expenses; and collaborate with Finance department on quarterly reconciliations
Track and report on the status of institutional giving revenue and affairs to the Chief Advancement Officer, museum leadership, and trustees
Analyze budgets vs. actuals for grant-funded activities in collaboration with the Grants Manager
Supervise list coordination, record keeping, communications, and follow-up for foundation, government, and corporate contacts in the customer relationship management (CRM) database, Altru, with supporter for the central Advancement Operations team
Contribute Institutional Giving highlights to collateral materials (eg, Member Magazine, Annual Report, e-communications, museum website)
Stay apprised of institutional funding trends in the arts and philanthropy, both locally and nationally
Collaborate with Advancement leadership to continue to innovate and improve fundraising initiatives, generate new ideas, and streamline operations
Participate in Advancement Department meetings as a leader within the department
Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

5-7+ years of Advancement experience in a not-for-profit environment, preferably in the arts and culture sector, including proven success in the solicitation and securing of foundation and government agency support at the six-figure level and above
Bachelor’s degree in arts management or related field
Budgeting acumen
Strong organizational and project management skills with ability to create and execute a plan with measurable objectives
Collaborative, positive team player with high degree of personal initiative and accountability
Superlative written and verbal communication skills
Strategic, creative, curious, and organized thinker, skilled at managing multiple competing priorities
Knowledge of and passion for the arts, and especially the visual arts, strongly preferred
Experience with leading, managing, and mentoring direct report employees, as well as interfacing with Trustees and VIP constituent
Strong understanding of the fundraising landscape of the Washington Metropolitan area preferred, alongside a strong understanding of nationally leading foundations
Ability to exercise sound judgment, handle sensitive material, and maintain confidentiality
Experience with sophisticated CRM essential, and Blackbaud/Altru databases preferred
Experience with endowment and capital campaign fundraising—and strategic plan implementation—a plus

OTHER

Hybrid work schedule and flex hours permitted Some evening work required Please include a cover letter with your application. The closing date for this position is March 5th, 2025.

The Phillips Collection is an equal opportunity employer and administers all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, veteran status, personal appearance, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Responsibilities

The Director of Foundation and Government Affairs is responsible for overseeing the Grants Manager, collaborating with the Operations team, and serving as a leader within the Advancement Department and collaborates cross-departmentally to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward institutional donors in an effort to align museum priorities.

Requirements

Direct institutional giving program, supervising the Grants Manager to secure and steward support from foundations, government agencies, and diplomatic partners
Maintain an active donor portfolio and advance relations with leaders from foundations, government agencies, and embassies
Lead the institutional giving team in developing and implementing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies customized for institutional donor
Collaborate with museum leadership and trustees in peer-to-peer fundraising efforts
Direct the grants program by collaborating with the Grants Manager to oversee the preparation and submission of compelling, accurate grant proposals and grant stewardship reports
Lead the museum’s involvement with local and federal government agencies, including advocating for the arts, preparing and/or giving public testimony with relevant colleagues, coordinating with political consultants, meeting with government officials, and securing
Congressional honorees for special events
Forge excellent working relationships with staff across the institution to gain understanding of the museum’s priorities, programs, initiatives; engage staff in proposal development, meetings, and events as appropriate
Participates in Trustee committee meetings, including the Advancement Committee, to ensure alignment and follow through on pipeline development.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$87,000.00-$95,000.00

How to Apply for this Job

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