Job Description

Department:

Museum Development

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Employee Type:

Job Summary:

Reporting to the director of museum development, the associate director of museum development is responsible for broadening and deepening philanthropic engagement with the Colby Museum of Art. At an exciting moment of growth for the museum and Colby during the Dare Northward campaign and with an investment in the arts ecosystem that includes collaborative programming located in downtown Waterville, the associate director will primarily raise gifts to the museum, as well as work with other advancement teams on executing communications and events to highlight the museum’s good work. The associate director of museum development will activate a robust community of support for the museum through management of Friends of Art, and by envisioning and executing both broad-based and targeted engagement strategies through events and communications. As the museum’s community of annual philanthropic supporters and advocates, Friends of Art is a capacious vehicle 1) to drive continued relationships with donors – at every level – who care deeply about the museum and 2) to cultivate a new and more diverse generation of philanthropists who will support the museum’s program and values. In addition to annual fundraising and participation goals, success for the Friends of Art program will be evaluated on how the program is helping to advance the museum’s diversity and equity work within the realm of its philanthropic community and what philanthropy makes possible in terms of museum access and inclusion.

This vital contributor to the Colby Museum of Art and the Division of College Advancement teams will nurture reliable annual support for sustainable philanthropic impact year after year, and develop a pipeline to discover new opportunities for augmented support through leadership annual, capital, and planned giving, as well as through gifts of art to the museum’s collection. In supporting overall objectives for museum development, the associate director of museum development will also provide critical research, reporting, solicitation, and stewardship assistance. As a liaison to the museum, the associate director of museum development has a deep appreciation for the liberal arts college experience, academic art museums, and a strong personal commitment to equity and inclusion. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising

Manage a portfolio of 100+ households to build meaningful relationships and solicit leadership annual level gifts to the Colby Museum ($2,500 to $99,000)
Review gifts to the museum regularly and conduct research on donor histories, capacity, and inclination to identify opportunities for further engagement, cultivation, and personalized stewardship

Friends of Art, Appeals and Pipeline Development

Manage annual solicitation plan to renew and build participation in Friends of Art in close collaboration with the director of museum development and the Colby Museum of Art, Colby Fund, and Advancement Communications and Engagement teams
Serve as content expert on Friends of Art print and digital appeals, working closely with Colby Fund team on voice, content, and recipient lists

Museum Development Events

Contribute to ideation and participate in execution for museum events, including traveling exhibitions, Friends of Art cultivation events, and the annual Summer Luncheon – a daytime festivity that brings together approximately 500 friends of the museum in celebration of its commitment to transforming lives through art, the contributions of artists, and the philanthropy that makes its mission and programs possible

Museum Development Communications

In partnership with the annual giving team, develop and execute communications strategy that features and distributes museum content for donor-focused communications in coordination with the Colby Museum of Art's communications manager, Advancement Communications, and the Office of Communications as appropriate, whether leverage existing (such as the museum's e-newsletter or digital publication, The Lantern) or drafting and managing additional communications
Serve as proactive and reliable resource for frontline fundraisers in relaying museum content with prospects

Data Review and Gift Acknowledgments

Track and assess progress to fundraising and participation goals for all annual giving to the Colby Museum
Oversee the weekly gift acknowledgement process in coordination with the Administrative Operations team, providing timely, standardized thank you letters from the Colby Museum of Art’s Carolyn Muzzy Director for gifts in support of the museum and drafting tailored communications as necessary

General

Participate in professional development training offered by the College, Division of College Advancement, Colby Museum of Art, and professional associations to enhance expertise and skills
Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
Minimum of 1-5 years of fundraising or related experience in a college, university, museum, cultural or complex institution with success in making direct solicitations
Demonstrated capacity to organize and manage programs
Superb organizational skills, ability to consistently meet deadlines and follow-through on assignments, and great attention to detail
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Proficiency with fundraising/alumni relations or equivalent relationship management databases and technology
Proven collaboration and teamwork skills in a diverse community to leverage activities, initiatives, and programs for multiple purposes
Strong, self-motivated work ethic; flexibility; and demonstrated capability to work both independently and constructively as a member of a diverse community
Appreciation of Colby’s and Colby College Museum of Art’s missions and the ability to effectively communicate them
Unwavering commitment to fostering an anti-racist, equitable work environment supportive of people from different cultures, backgrounds, and life paths
Willingness and ability to work outside normal working hours (i.e. nights and weekends)
Must be willing to travel; valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Reporting to the director of museum development, the associate director of museum development will work closely with the Colby College Museum of Art’s Carolyn Muzzy director and the assistant vice president for major and planned giving. The associate director of museum development will have direct contact with museum staff and key members of the Museum Board of Governors.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Ability to move around campus and interact with faculty, staff, students, parents/alumni, and external constituencies regularly is crucial. Potential for travel and work outside of normal business hours.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the "Apply" button on the Colby Careers website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:

Associate Director of Museum Development - Search Committee

Office of Human Resources

Colby College

5500 Mayflower Hill

Waterville, ME 04901-8855

A review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Colby is a private, coeducational liberal arts college that admits students and makes employment decisions on the basis of the individual's qualifications to contribute to Colby's educational objectives and institutional needs. Colby College does not discriminate in its educational programs or employment on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or military or veteran’s status. Colby is an equal opportunity employer and operates in accordance with federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination. Colby complies with Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in an institution’s education programs and activities. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to Colby’s Title IX coordinator or to the federal Office of Civil Rights. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

For more information about the College, please visit our website: www.colby.edu.

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Associate Director of Museum Development