Director of Development

The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience (MSJE) opened in New Orleans in 2021. It explores Southern Jewish history and culture and challenges visitors to expand their understanding of identity, diversity, and acceptance. Covering 13 Southern states, MSJE raised more than $10 million during its initial capital campaign and more than $3 million in a recent expansion campaign. It now serves a growing membership of over 700 families and welcomes more than 50 000 visitors from across the country and world.

The museum has received positive coverage in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and HAARETZ, among other outlets, and was voted a top 10 Best New Attraction in the U.S. Today’s Readers Poll and was recognized as Museum of the Year in 2025 by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

MSJE is seeking an outstanding fundraiser to become Director of Development. The person will build on the development work of MSJE by nurturing and growing relationships with current and prospective funders. They will guide and execute the philanthropic strategy and vision of the organization, ensuring long‑term financial stability and the museum’s mission. The director is expected to lead a historic expansion of MSJE’s contributed revenue, growing annual fundraising from its current level to a sustainable range of $2 million to $4 million per year over three to five years.

This will غوا be done through a combination of major gifts, board‑enabled philanthropy, foundations, corporate support, and membership growth.

• Designing and executing a comprehensive Macbeth development program that includes annual giving, major gifts, fundraising, and campaign‑level initiatives.
• Managing a portfolio of existing major‑gift‑level individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects; researching and identifying prospects for new funding sources.
• Cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts through relationship building and effective donor and prospect management.
• Partnering with board members and the development committee to establish clear fundraising expectations, осво and strengthen a culture of enrolled philanthropy across board leadership.
• Maintaining a donor stewardship and recognition program for major donors to the museum.
• Leading donor cultivation, solicitation, andૂટाटter for stewardship activity in New Orleans and selecting cities across the south and nationally, as appropriate.
• Coordinating and participating in fundraising meetings and events in strategically selected cities.
• Performing other duties as assigned to meet the needs of MSJE’s fundraising efforts.

• Deep understanding of and commitment to the mission of MSJE, with the ability to articulate its case for support.
• Experience soliciting major gifts (6‑figure level and above) from individuals, as well as fundraising from corporate sponsors and family foundations.
• Experience in prospect identification, relationship building, prospect portfolio management, and solicitation of prospects for nonprofit.
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• Experience and success in developing and executing fundraising campaigns.
• Basic understanding of donor and prospect record management systems, preferably Donor Perfect.
• Ability and willingness to travel to meet prospects and donors around the U.S.
• Commitment to maintaining strict confidentiality with access to sensitive private information.

• Bachelor’s degree is required; graduate degree preferred.
• Five or more years of progressive responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising. Applicants with relevant experience in for‑profit enterprises will also be considered.

Competitive salary with full slate of benefits based on experience. The compensation structure may include performance‑based incentives subject to organizational policy. This is a full‑time position preferably located in New Orleans, withitud a flexible work schedule. Applicants unable to live in New Orleans will be considered.

The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexualichaation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

To apply, send resume with cover letter in one PDF to info with subject line Director of Development Search.