Development Manager

We are more than just an iconic museum, we’re a fast-paced, high-energy team driven by innovation, passion, and a deep love for car culture and storytelling. From world-class exhibitions to unforgettable events, we bring history, design, and horsepower to life every day. We work hard, we move fast, and we have a blast doing it, all while pushing the boundaries of what a museum can be.

If you’re ready to shift into high gear with a crew that values creativity, integrity, and a good laugh along the way… you’ll fit right in.

The Development Manager will play a critical role in further developing Petersen’s culture of philanthropy and education, becoming an extension of the Museum’s brand and an advocate for its mission.

This position will collaborate with the Associate Director of Development to solicit individual gifts and support the growth of individual giving with a focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors contributing $50,000 and below. The Development Manager will support the Associate Director of Development in planning and executing fundraising campaigns. Will need to design and execute high quality e-newsletters, interactions directed to specific target audiences, and innovative annual giving experiences and packages to prospects on the impact of their gift to the Petersen community.

Seek information for developments and publications in donor relations, planned giving, as well as archives, collections and exhibits in order to convey such content to prospects and donors. Develop strong relationships with Museum staff in these areas to match their content expertise and personalities to specific prospects and donors.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Education, Membership, Marketing) to drive mission awareness, audience engagement, and revenue growth through innovative development campaigns and successful program execution. Partner with the Membership and Development Directors in designing extraordinary member and donor experiences, developing robust strategies for deepening meaningful engagement and philanthropic impact. Partner with the Marketing team to elevate market research and survey programs to enhance donor acquisition, growth and retention.

Communicate and align our visual and storytelling brand with our Marketing strategy across all channels.

• Work with the leadership team to create and implement a comprehensive, results-oriented plan for meeting the operational goals around fundraising events, communications, and special programming, to include sponsorship.
• Plan and implement all aspects of communications, to include marketing for events and special programming.
• Manage the coordination and logistical planning of fundraising events (from conception to completion, including, for example, catering details, event logistics and onsite event management).
• Establish development tools for timely acknowledgements and ongoing communication that exceeds donor expectations.
• Collaborate with staff team and marketing team to develop effective communication tools to ensure that fundraising efforts are fully integrated into websites, social media, and other communications.
• Develop content for communications, including that for press releases, newsletters, articles, magazines, organization website, event collateral, social media, and digital display management as needed.
• Write and or assist in grant and sponsorship proposals.
• Assist in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors at the entry to mid-level range (gifts up to $50,000) and building a donor retention strategy with the Associate Director of Development.
• Report regularly on development performance, assessing against and modifying to achieve goals, with a focus on key performance indicators and return on investment.
• Manage relationships with outside agencies and businesses to optimize value and leverage opportunities and partnerships that are mission aligned.
• Participate in internal committees and volunteer-led groups as needed to support development initiatives and strengthen community engagement.
• Represent the Petersen at onsite and external car shows,…