Director of Development

UCI Institute and Museum of California Art

Director of Development 

Organization:            UCI Institute and Museum of California Art

Position Title:            Director of Development

Supervisor:                Deputy Director

Location:                    Irvine, CA

Salary:                        Commensurate with Experience

The Institute and Museum of California Art (IMCA) at University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks a Director of Development to lead its fundraising efforts for this new initiative still in a start-up phase. Formally established in 2018 following the gift to UCI of two important private collections, IMCA hired in late 2019 its inaugural director, acclaimed art museum leader and educator Kim Kanatani. IMCA is completing a two-phased strategic planning process to envision and operationalize its future. Locally engaged and globally relevant, the museum serves as a seminal investigator and presenter of California’s influence and innovation through art. An essential partner of a leading research university, IMCA brings together students, faculty, scholars, artists, alumni, and the general public to generate new knowledge and learning, and foster transformative experiences inspired by the art of California and its global contexts. 

The Director of Development reports to the Deputy Director, with a dotted line relationship to the Museum Director and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement. The position will begin working remotely from home, then transition to on-site at IMCA’s Irvine, CA office when state and university leadership determine it is safe to so do.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct the annual fundraising activities for IMCA, with a goal of personally securing $1 million or more in new gifts each year towards the museum’s capital, programmatic, and operating priorities.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of approx. 100-125 major gift, foundation, and corporate prospects capable of donating $25,000-250,000 or more. Identify and research prospects, prepare and implement cultivation strategies, write proposals, and solicit and steward gifts.
• With museum leadership, plan, launch, and engage a new Advisory Board, whose members serve as ambassadors advocating on behalf of the museum within the community.
• Support the Deputy Director, Executive Business Office, and Office of Research in identifying and preparing applications to federal and state government funding agencies, and ensuring contract fulfillment.
• Oversee the newly relaunched membership/patrons program to create a pipeline for individual giving.
• Organize cultivation and stewardship events, such as exhibition previews, gallery tours, member receptions, etc. to engage donors and prospects.
• Direct the annual Giving Day spring campaign and annual fund year-end campaign.
• Work closely with an Advancement Office-assigned Development Specialist, who provides administrative support to the department. Together organize regular donor communications, maintain good records, manage production schedules, and execute a best practice stewardship program. Supervise a contract grant writer.
• Represent the IMCA at museum, university, and community functions.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of relevant work experience, preferably in the arts, museum, humanities, or cultural sectors.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (arts, humanities, education, nonprofit management) is required; master’s degree preferred.
• Knowledge of fundraising and donor relations best ethical practices and policies.
• Documented success in securing and stewarding major gifts and grants.
• Superior written and oral communication skills, able to convey complex ideas with polish.
• Highly organized and self-motivated, with the ability to prioritize and work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong interpersonal and collegial skills, able to collaborate with colleagues throughout the museum and across the university.
• Comfortable with a flexible schedule that accommodates some early mornings, late evenings, and weekend hours on occasion.
• Facility with Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce, or other donor management software.

Final candidate subject to background check. As a federal contractor, UC Irvine is required to use E-Verify to confirm the work status of individuals assigned to perform substantial work under certain federal contracts/subcontracts.

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500.

To apply for this position, please visit jobs.uci.edu and search for position number 15195. 

You may also contact the following if you have any additional questions:  

Jennifer Wyly, Senior Recruiter, Talent Acquisition at jwyly@uci.edu