Director of Development - Heckscher Museum of Art - Colleague Executive Search

Our client, The Heckscher Museum of Art, is seeking a creative and entrepreneurial Director of Development.

Location: Huntington, Long Island, NY

3 days in office/2 days remote

About the role:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will work with existing Museum team members to create and implement fundraising activities that move the important mission of the Museum forward. The Director of Development will be supported by an Associate Director of Development, PR/Communications Associate, and grant writers, so management experience is a must.

The DOD will ensure that the Museum’s Development department exceeds current fundraising goals. Working closely with the Executive Director, Development staff, and the Board of Directors, the DOD will grow revenue by cultivating key donor relationships and working with the development staff team to implement fundraising events, with emphasis on the Museum’s annual Celebrate Achievement Benefit. The Director of Development coordinates and collaborates with staff from other departments including Education, Visitor Experience, Collections and Exhibitions, Operations, and Facilities.

The successful candidate will have a personal commitment to the Museum's mission and will be an experienced fundraiser/sales leader, team leader and supportive team player. They will provide executive-level leadership and seamlessly transition between leading efforts and tasks; and collaborating on initiatives cross departmentally, with colleagues and board members. They will possess an entrepreneurial spirit and competencies in effectively cultivating long-lasting relationships, developing and executing fundraising strategies, and seamlessly moving donors through the gifting process. Additionally, they will build upon the momentum generated in the last few years through the Museum's strategic plan and be energized by playing a collaborative role in establishing and growing the direction of the Museum moving forward into the future.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the development lead, working closely with the Executive Director, development staff, and Board of Directors to successfully execute development plans for 2025 and beyond, with an aim of exceeding the current revenue target of $2M by 10% annually.
• Manage and grow the portfolio of current major donors, institutional and government grants, and corporate sponsorships, and leverage external stakeholders to secure resources to advance the mission of the organization.
• Research, surface, and devise strategies to contact and successfully partner with new donors, including corporations, foundations, government sources, and members/individual donors.
• Provide general oversight of the organization’s contributed revenue activities, operations, and plan, monitor and review the success of activities through coordination with staff.
• Work with the development staff, development committee, and benefit committee to ensure the Museum’s annual Celebrate Achievement Benefit is a success. This includes working with the staff and event committee on event planning and implementation; proactively working to attract new sponsors and new attendees to the event, and serving as an on-site event coordinator. Work with Museum staff and the benefit committee on pre-event activities, as well as post event wrap up.
• Research and suggest new fundraising event opportunities that will engage existing donors and attract new partners.
• Work with development staff and executive leadership of the Museum on annual fund and membership/donor cultivation events and activities.
• Collaborate with the communications team to develop brand awareness and strengthen visibility amongst funding partners and the community, creating a pipeline of potential donors.

Qualifications

• Entrepreneurial spirit with a successful track record of 5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and or partnership sales - including with six-figure gifts/partnerships and large-scale events.
• A deep understanding of the fundraising landscape of Long Island, with an emphasis on the needs of potential corporate donors and sponsors, government sources, and private foundations and philanthropists.
• An understanding of and enthusiasm for the latest fundraising tools and strategies, keeping apprised of the newest platforms and technologies, and bringing fresh fundraising ideas to the table
• Excellent team leadership skills, including hiring, coaching, developing staff and fostering a positive, collaborative environment.
• Skillful at strengthening and building strong and lasting relationships, with new and existing donors, networking, and stewarding a portfolio of contacts.
• Adept at leading communications and marketing across a broad array of channels, and the ability to serve as an ambassador for the Museum.
• Successful track record reporting to the C-level and working with nonprofit boards of directors.
• Excellent writing, project planning, project management, and budgeting skills.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, diplomacy, and accountability.
• Knowledge of and commitment to arts and community-centered programming.
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively as a team player.
• Lifelong learner.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge or other donor and CRM databases.
• Grant writing and reporting experience a must.
• CFRE certification a plus.

Our client is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.

Colleague is an executive placement firm with a deep bench of highly motivated executives in the non-profit, cultural, government, public affairs, and marketing/communications spaces. Based in NYC and Irvine, CA with a reach that extends across the U.S., our clients range from municipal authorities to museums to marketing agencies and beyond. Colleague is a woman and minority-owned business, and diversity and inclusion are top of mind in every search we undertake. Learn more at colleaguetalent.com