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Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations

Employer
Amherst College/Emily Dickinson Museum
Location
Amherst, Massachusetts
Salary
$72,700 to 78,000 + benefits
Posted Date
Sep 13, 2024
View more categoriesView less categories
Position Type
Fundraising
Fields
Museum
Employment Type
Full Time

About the Emily Dickinson Museum

The Emily Dickinson Museum was founded in 2003 to celebrate the singular life and work of the renowned American poet Emily Dickinson. The Museum comprises two historic homes associated with the poet and members of her family from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It welcomes thousands of visitors each year to its location in downtown Amherst, Massachusetts, and engages and inspires a worldwide audience through its innovative poetry and education programs. The Museum is owned by Amherst College and is governed by an independent Board of Governors.

About Amherst College

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

The Emily Dickinson Museum and Amherst college invite applications for the Emily Dickinson Museum (EDM) Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations. This is a full-time, year-round position, starting at $72,700 - commensurate with experience. Given Amherst College’s distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations is responsible for developing and managing the Emily Dickinson Museum’s annual campaign for unrestricted giving and leading the planning and implementation of donor stewardship activities and fundraising events. This position will maintain a portfolio of donors and prospects and will carry out personal visits and communications to cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts for operations, programs, and special initiatives. The Director is also responsible for identifying, calendaring, and producing grant proposals in collaboration with Museum colleagues, and for reporting on funded projects. In the absence of the Senior Director, manage day-to-day operations of the development office to ensure that all administrative and operational aspects of development are performed at a high level of quality and efficiency.

Summary of Responsibilities

Fundraising:

Invigorate annual fundraising activities (including events) and special campaigns to increase donor participation and welcome new communities to the museum.

Develop, manage and implement plans for annual operating support and special projects in consultation with the Senior Director of Development and Executive Director.

Determine priorities for prospect research in consultation with Senior Director of Development.

Maintain a portfolio of donors and prospects, engaging in direct cultivation of prospects including individuals, corporations, and foundations, for annual program and operating support.

Review portfolio with Prospect Research to assess viability, potential, removal and addition of donors and prospects. Review portfolio with Senior Director of Development to determine strategies and outreach to donors and prospects.

Manage donor relations through development and documentation of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities; assignment of such activities to appropriate staff and volunteers and participation in activities.

Provide cultivation and solicitation support for staff, Board, and volunteers with prospect reports, promotional materials, and giving campaign materials.

Assist with visit and travel arrangements.

Plan and implement stewardship activities for the museum’s annual giving societies ($500 – $2,500+) as well as the 1830 Society (legacy giving) and the Directors Council.

Development Communications:

In consultation with the Director of Communications, organize communication strategies, messages, and logistics for annual fund and legacy giving campaigns, including direct mail and email, continued development of website, newsletters, social media outlets, etc.

Oversee preparation of accurate segmented donor lists for various campaigns and publications.

Communicate the importance of annual operating support to other staff members and provide periodic training.

Events:

Plan, schedule, and oversee execution of multiple awareness, cultivation, and fund-raising events throughout the year.

Work with College catering, outside vendors, and museum administrative and program staff to create rewarding programs for donors and prospective donors.

Manage fund-raising components of annual Museum public programs such as Tell it Slant award event.

Qualifications

Required:

Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience

Proven track record (5 years) of closing individual gifts, corporate relations, and grant- writing.

Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing.

Ability to travel and work flexible hours, some nights and weekends.

Proven project and time management and organizational skills. Proficient in current and innovative online technologies, including social media, CRM database management and other office and graphics software. Ability to manage multiple tasks and goals independently and with others.

Commitment to working with a diverse and inclusive community

Valid driver's license

Preferred:

Genuine interest in museums, art, literature, and/or history.

Passion for the Museum’s mission.

Experience creating attractive, branded, and concise fundraising informational materials.

Experience working with governing boards, senior management staff, donors, and support organizations.

Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development, continued learning, and career advancement.

Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Amherst_Jobs/job/Director-of-Annual-Giving-and-Donor-Relations_JR5248 Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

 

 

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