Associate Director of Development

The San Diego Museum of Art, located in the heart of Balboa Park, is a premier destination for art and culture, showcasing a collection of over 32,000 works spanning from 3000 BC to the present. The Museum hosts internationally renowned collections, including Spanish and Italian old masters, South Asian paintings, East Asian art, Modern and Contemporary art, and the Museum of Photographic Arts at SDMA (MOPA@SDMA).

Visitors can explore diverse exhibitions, cultural programs, and community engagements that enrich lives through art, music, dance, film, and more.

In partnership with the Director of Development & Membership and the Executive Director/CEO, the Associate Director of Development will help shape and implement annual and multi-year fundraising strategies focused on the cultivation and solicitation of individual donors, with an emphasis on major gifts of $10,000 and above.

This role is responsible for building and managing strong relationships with donors and prospects, leading key components of the individual giving program, and advancing a robust donor pipeline. The Associate Director will identify, research, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors to secure annual, capital, and endowment support in alignment with the Museum’s mission and long-term sustainability.

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive major and individual donor pipeline strategy in collaboration with the Director of Development & Membership, Executive Director/CEO, senior leadership, curatorial and education teams, and fellow Associate Directors of Development.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 80–100 major gift donors and prospects with capacity for gifts of $10,000 and above; personally solicit and steward donors through in-person meetings, independently and in partnership with trustees and senior staff.
• Strengthen and expand the individual and major giving program by identifying new prospects, deepening donor engagement, and ensuring thoughtful recognition and stewardship.
• Develop compelling funding proposals and stewardship materials aligned with institutional priorities, including exhibitions, education, technology, unrestricted support, capital initiatives, and endowment.
• Integrate individual and major giving efforts with broader fundraising strategies—including planned giving, membership, and special events—in coordination with the Director of Development & Membership.
• Cultivate targeted prospects through events, tours, site visits, and exclusive engagement opportunities; ensure strategic and timely follow-up in collaboration with trustees and staff.
• Partner with the Associate Director of Membership & Development Operations to research and cultivate Circle-level donors and identify opportunities to grow their philanthropic support.
• Provide oversight of the Museum’s Annual Fund, including strategy, execution, and donor engagement.
• Solicit support for special fundraising initiatives, including Art Alive, art acquisitions, special exhibitions, and the Museum’s Capital Campaign.
• Support executive leadership, trustees, and volunteers in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts; provide guidance and coaching as appropriate.
• Prepare high‑quality written materials, including case statements, donor proposals, impact reports, and correspondence to communicate the significance and outcomes of philanthropic support.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of donor‑focused events, house parties, tours, travel programs, and engagement opportunities.
• Participate in Board development committees and contribute to the establishment of major giving goals, policies, guidelines, and reporting standards.
• Assist the Director of Development & Membership with input on the major gifts expense budget and ongoing performance tracking.

• Bachelor’s degree, with a Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum five to seven years of professional fundraising experience, including a demonstrated track record in donor cultivation and major gift solicitation (or comparable transferable experience). The ideal candidate will have proven success in securing five‑ and…