Director of Development

Position Summary

The Director of Development supports Thinkery’s strategic fundraising efforts by working directly with the Advancement Team to design, implement, oversee, and evaluate multi‑faceted corporate and annual giving programs. These programs aim to share the museum’s mission and program impact, cultivate new contacts, establish a presence in the corporate/business and individual donor community, and generate a consistent revenue source from new and existing relationships.

In partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director builds a predictable and renewable donor pipeline: stewarding donors and developing engagement opportunities (including events) that attract corporate, business, and individual donors and community partners.

• Develops and implements short‑ and long‑term development plans to meet established development goals and objectives toward a robust annual giving program (corporate/sponsor ships, monthly giving, fundraising events and other initiatives throughout the year).
• Serves as a key member of the Development Team, working alongside a Director of Grants and Institutional Giving, achieving an overall $2 M goal.
• Ensures that donors experience high‑quality interactions with the organization that foster long‑term engagement and investment through gift stewardship and donor recognition.
• Leads the planning, execution, and evaluation of our annual gala, Imagine That, including management of gala planning and host committees.
• Works collaboratively with key constituents, including board and community members, through acknowledgment and relationship‑building cultivation efforts.
• Makes effective use of Thinkery’s prospect management database (Tessitura), aligning with Finance, to implement moves management systems and ensure appropriate management of donors, members, and prospects in coordination with Thinkery’s fundraising objectives.
• Oversees stewardship activities; ensuring a high‑touch response to partners and donors that deliver a high‑quality experience to all constituents.
• Ensures direct reports develop themselves professionally by providing opportunities for growth based on individual and organizational goals.
• Manages two direct reports:
  Development Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator/Community Relations (related to Corporate Partnerships).
• Operates cross‑functionally, coordinating specifically with Marketing/Communications and program staff, establishing cohesive practices related to donor pipeline development, storytelling, and the donor experience.

• Days and hours of work are largely Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Periodic duties outside of the regular work week schedule occur during seasonal high‑volume times. Other duties as assigned.

• Ensures Accountability:
  Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Instills Trust:
  Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Values Differences:
  Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Creates Connection:
  Builds engagement and belonging in relationships across teams and with guests promoting a welcoming environment for all.

• Demonstrated knowledge of donor management, stewardship, and cultivation process.
• Knowledge of donor stewardship, including donor relations, strategic communications, and financial reporting.
• Exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others.
• Advanced computing skills including Excel, Word and PowerPoint, and donor database management. Tessitura experience a plus.
• Conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives.

• Reports to Chief Advancement Officer.
• Supervises Development Coordinator.
• Supervises Volunteer/Community Relations Coordinator.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
• 3+ years’ progressively responsible…