Associate Director of Museum Development

Job Summary

Reporting to the executive director of museum development, the Associate Director of Museum Development is responsible for broadening and deepening philanthropic engagement with the Colby Museum of Art. At an exciting moment of growth for the museum and Colby during the Dare Northward campaign and with an investment in the arts ecosystem that includes collaborative programming located in downtown Waterville, the associate director will primarily raise leadership gifts and sponsor ships to the museum, as well as work with other advancement teams on executing communications and events to highlight the museum’s good work and generate philanthropic interest.

The associate director of museum development will activate a robust community of support for the museum through management of Friends of Art, and by envisioning and executing both broad-based and targeted engagement strategies through events and communications.

• Manage a portfolio of 100+ households to build meaningful relationships and solicit leadership annual level gifts to the Colby Museum ($2,500 to $99,000).
• Review gifts to the museum regularly and conduct research on donor histories, capacity, and inclination to identify opportunities for further engagement, cultivation, and personalized stewardship.

• Manage annual solicitation plan to renew and build participation in Friends of Art in close collaboration with the Colby Museum of Art, Colby Fund, and Advancement Communications and Engagement teams and as overseen by the executive director of museum development.
• Serve as content expert on Friends of Art print and digital appeals, working closely with Colby Fund team on voice, content, and recipient lists.

• Contribute to ideation and participate in execution for museum events, including traveling exhibitions, Friends of Art cultivation events, and the annual Summer Luncheon – a daytime festivity that brings together approximately 600 friends of the museum in celebration of its commitment to transforming lives through art, the contributions of artists, and the philanthropy that makes its mission and programs possible.

• In partnership with the annual giving team and museum communication team, develop and execute communications strategy that features and distributes museum content for donor-focused communications in coordination with the Colby Museum of Art’s communications manager, Advancement Communications, and the Office of Communications as appropriate, whether leveraging existing (such as the museum’s e-newsletter or digital publication, The Lantern) or drafting and managing additional communications.
• Serve as proactive and reliable resource for frontline fundraisers in relaying museum content with prospects.

• Track and assess progress to fundraising and participation goals for all annual giving to the Colby Museum.
• Oversee the weekly gift acknowledgement process in coordination with the Administrative Operations team, providing timely, standardized thank you letters from the Colby Museum of Art’s Carolyn Muzzy Director for gifts in support of the museum and drafting tailored communications as necessary.

• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of fundraising or related experience in a college, university, museum, cultural, or complex institution with success in making direct solicitations.
• Demonstrated capacity to organize and manage programs.
• Superb organizational skills, ability to consistently meet deadlines and follow through on assignments, and great attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with fundraising/alumni relations or equivalent relationship management databases and technology.
• Proven collaboration and teamwork skills in a diverse community to leverage activities, initiatives, and programs for multiple purposes.
• Strong,…