Deputy Director for​/Development

Position Summary

The Deputy Director for Advancement is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing the Gadsden Arts Center & Museum’s fundraising, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability. Working in close partnership with the Director/CEO, this position leads key development initiatives, oversees day-to-day internal operations, and supports strategic growth.

• Lead donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts that focus mid-level and entry-level giving, beginning with longtime stakeholders of the museum.
• Develop and implement strategies to grow individual and corporate giving.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure sponsor ships for programs, exhibitions, and events.
• Assist the Executive Director with grant writing, reporting, and funder relations.
• Support the development and implementation of all fundraising events and campaigns.

• Oversee the Week with the Arts planning team, managing all fundraising and development aspects of the organization’s signature January fundraising events.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure successful execution of friend-raising and revenue-generating aspects of mission-based cultural events.

• Provide strategic oversight of the fundraising and development aspects of Marketing.
• Collaborate with staff to ensure consistent branding, messaging, and audience engagement in relation to organizational development and fundraising through contributed and earned revenues.
• Ensure proper acknowledgement of all donors, foundations, grantors, sponsors, and other funders in relation to all museum programs, exhibitions, and events.

• Oversee day-to-day staff scheduling and organizational workflow.
• Supervise staff and support a positive, collaborative workplace culture.
• Manage Human Resources functions, including orientation and onboarding paperwork, policy
• Serve as the on-site manager of Gadsden Arts when the Executive Director is out of the office.
• Oversee routine maintenance, safety, and operational readiness of the museum facilities.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, volunteers, and staff to ensure that buildings support programming and events effectively.
• Assist the Executive Director with facility project research and implementation.

• Participate in strategic planning, budgeting, and board engagement alongside the Executive Director.
• Gain increasing responsibility for organizational leadership, decision-making, and external representation over time – the salary for this position will increase as direct responsibilities grow.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of all museum operations, including programs, museum departments, governance, and resources.
• Prepare to transition into an Executive Director role with a strong emphasis on fundraising leadership, donor relations, and institutional advancement.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3+ years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or arts administration.
• You seek a clear career trajectory toward executive leadership in the nonprofit or arts sector.
• Commitment to fundraising as a central component of executive leadership.
• Demonstrated success in donor cultivation and relationship management.
• Demonstrated success in all types of community nonprofit fundraising preferred. These include annual appeals, capital campaigns, and planned gifts.
• Familiarity with grant writing and reporting.
• Experience planning and executing fundraising events.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience supervising staff

• Advanced degree or CFRE.
• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or arts administration.
• Experience working in a management role in a museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (art, history, or other culture or humanities concentration).
• Experience with developing mission-based earned revenue programs.
• Proven success with grant writing and reporting.
• Experience managing day-to-day operations or…