Senior Director of Development, RISD Museum

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is seeking a Senior Director of Development, RISD Museum, to join our Institutional Advancement team to build a strong base of individual donors to support our RISD Museum’s mission and new strategic plan. If you’re looking to join a cohesive and talented team dedicated to engaging alumni, parents and friends through creative outreach strategies, we are interested in hearing from you.  

The Senior Director of Development, RISD Museum oversees fundraising in support of the RISD Museum.  Reporting to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, and in support of the priorities developed by the Director of the RISD Museum, the Senior Director of Development works collaboratively with partners within Institutional Advancement to develop, support, and maintain programs and activities that secure philanthropic and membership support for the Museum.

In alignment with Museum priorities, and under the direction of the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Senior Director will develop, implement and oversee a multi-year plan and timeline with clear goals and metrics for direct and indirect fundraising efforts. In partnership with the Director of the Museum, the Senior Director will support key volunteer leadership roles including, but not limited to, the Museum Board of Governors, Museum Associates and the Fine Arts Committee.  The Senior Director will develop productive relationships with the Director and Deputy Director of the Museum, other Museum staff, President, Chair of the Board of Trustees, members of the Board of Trustees, other members of the Cabinet, curators, faculty, and key external partners to leverage their strategic participation in the fundraising process as well as in constituency engagement.

The successful candidate must demonstrate a proven ability and continued commitment to work and communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of divisional and institutional colleagues within an environment that values diversity.

As an employer, RISD offers a supportive, collegial, and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package.

Essential Functions:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward 150 prospects and donors assigned in the portfolio. Create Individualized Strategic Solicitation Plans (ISSP) for each donor and share these plans with the Director of the Museum, the VPIA and the Principal Gift Team in IA.
• Shape and establish fundraising priorities and goals; staff visits by the Museum Director and/or VP of IA with current and potential donors; develop individual and group cultivation and/or stewardship activities for current and potential donors.  Provide periodic update reports to the VP for IA and Museum Director on progress against goals as well as projections.
• Assist the Museum Director and the office of the Museum Director in maximizing the effectiveness of the Museum Board of Governors and in planning and executing all MBOG meetings. Lead the cultivation process, including providing giving guidelines for MBOG membership, developing a multi-year plan for the MBOG through a demographic and skills audit, and articulating the roles and responsibilities of MBOG members. Identify and recommend potential new MBOG members to the Museum Director.
• Oversee and/or personally execute solicitations and closing gifts to secure major gifts in support of Museum annual, endowment, and capital funds. Maintain a rigorous schedule of personal contacts with assigned prospects, creating moves management plans related to them that include strategies of engagement and solicitations.
• Develop and execute an annual solicitation plan for submitted proposals and gift closures providing gift projections of commitments.
• Develop an events strategy to support the development of the donor pipeline. Work collaboratively with IA staff to plan and implement RISD Museum events that build and foster deeper engagement among top prospects and philanthropists.
• Actively participate in Raiser’s Edge prospect tracking/management system, which identifies, assigns, rates and tracks assigned prospects, complying with department policies and procedures.

• Perform related duties as requested.
• Serve as a representative of Institutional Advancement with other campus partners.

• Bachelor’s degree required. Ten years of professional fundraising experience including cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts.
• Devising and managing fundraising programs in an art museum setting is preferred.
• Ability to develop and maintain complex organizational relationships and work effectively with executive leadership.
• Must have a proven record of individual success in securing and maintaining 7-figure+ accounts and/or philanthropy.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills. Demonstrated ability to write and present persuasively.
• Strong organizational skills, computer skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to engage as a positive team member who establishes productive relationships, demonstrates respect and facilitates understanding by considering and integrating diverse viewpoints.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in outreach to volunteers and other fundraising partners.
• Proven ability to develop trusted long-term relationships with partners and donors. Ability to promote and foster an environment that values diversity

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Higher education or art industry experience. 
• Campaign environment experience.
• Interest/experience in art and design desirable.