The John Alchin and Hal Marryatt Curator of Contemporary Art

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The Philadelphia Museum of Art seeks a dynamic curator to lead exhibitions, commissions, and acquisitions for its contemporary art program. The Curator will shape high-visibility exhibitions, cultivate relationships with artists and donors, and contribute to the Museum’s renewed institutional momentum. The PMA stewards one of the nation’s leading encyclopedic art collections, including the world’s most comprehensive holdings of Marcel Duchamp. Salary range $110,000–$120,000 plus benefits. Apply online HERE by April 27, 2026. Nominations welcome.

Director of Institutional Advancement

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Racine Art Museum Association, Inc. Job Posting

Position Title: Director of Institutional Advancement

Department: Advancement

Salary:  $90,000 – $100,000
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports To: Executive Director
Direct Reports: Business and Membership Manager, Development and Marketing Assistant

About the Racine Art Museum

The Racine Art Museum Association’s (RAMA’s) two-campus organization consists of the Racine Art Museum (RAM) and the Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts (Wustum). Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, RAM opened in May 2003 and expanded the work of the 85-year-old Wustum. It has become a popular destination for the 11 million residents of the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor and visitors from across the US and beyond. RAMA operates both locations, using Wustum as its visual education center and the downtown campus, RAM, as home to its internationally recognized exhibitions of contemporary crafts. RAM holds the largest collection of contemporary craft art (ceramics, wood, glass, fiber, metal, and art jewelry) in the United States. RAMA’s programs enhance rather than duplicate those offered by larger museums to the north and south. RAMA has been considered a leader in providing high quality arts education to people of all ages since the 1940s. Today, Wustum houses one of the largest studio arts education programs of any museum in Wisconsin. The museums are accredited by the American Association of Museums, Washington, DC—only 3% of US museums have this distinction.

 

RAMA is seeking a candidate that is enthusiastic, team oriented, and proactive with the ability to work creatively and independently to join our dedicated and collaborative team.

General Summary of Position
The Director of Institutional Advancement (DIA) is the museum’s senior leader responsible for growing all contributed revenue in support of RAM’s mission, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the senior leadership team, the DIA plans, leads, and executes a comprehensive advancement program, including major and principal gifts, annual giving, membership, institutional giving (foundation, corporate, government), planned giving, special events, stewardship, and capital and endowment campaigns.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Board, and departmental leaders, the DIA cultivates a robust philanthropic pipeline, translates institutional priorities into compelling cases for support, and aligns advancement strategies with cross-departmental initiatives that strengthen organizational capacity and financial resilience. The DIA also serves as a frontline major gift fundraiser, supporting planning and execution for capital and endowment campaigns while advancing the museum’s operating budget in alignment with multi-year strategic goals.

Principal Responsibilities
Advancement Leadership
·        Lead the implementation of long-term advancement strategies that grow and diversify contributed revenue while ensuring alignment with the museum’s strategic priorities.

·        Establish clear goals, metrics, and accountability systems for all areas of contributed revenue; regularly assess progress and adjust strategies to meet evolving institutional needs.

·        Serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director and Board on philanthropic trends, campaign readiness, and long-term funding opportunities.

·        Oversee the Advancement department’s annual operating budget and ensure sound financial planning, forecasting, and reporting.

·        Partner with the Executive Director and senior leadership to ensure advancement priorities are coordinated with broader institutional initiatives that support sustainable growth.

Major Gifts and Donor Engagement
·        Support and partner with the Executive Director in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of top-tier donors through prospect research, strategy development, briefing materials, and coordinated engagement plans.

·        Personally manage a portfolio of major and principal gift donors and prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts at significant levels.

·        Build and sustain long-term, trust-based relationships with donors, collectors, foundations, and other stakeholders.

·        Ensure high-quality stewardship, recognition, and engagement practices that deepen donor loyalty and encourage long-term investment.

Capital, Endowment, and Comprehensive Campaigns
·        Lead planning, preparation, and execution of capital, endowment, and comprehensive campaigns.

·        Partner with the Executive Director and Board to develop campaign strategy, timelines, governance structures, and solicitation plans.

·        Coordinate campaign-related prospect research, donor cultivation, proposal development, and tracking.

·        Work closely with campaign counsel, when engaged, to ensure best practices and campaign success.

Institutional Giving, Sponsorships, and Grants
·        Oversee a robust institutional giving program, including foundation, corporate, and government support, including sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
·        Guide prospect identification, proposal development, and relationship management with institutional funders and corporate partners, ensuring alignment with museum priorities and engagement opportunities.
·        Identify, value, package, and activate sponsorship and underwriting opportunities aligned with exhibitions, programs, events, and institutional priorities.

·        Develop and implement strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward sponsorships and partnerships that enhance both financial support and organizational visibility.
·        Manage the grants portfolio and calendar in partnership with contract grant support, ensuring aligned, timely submissions and reporting.
·        Ensure timely reporting, compliance, and stewardship for all partnership-funded initiatives, maintaining strong, long-term relationships with institutional and corporate stakeholders.
Annual Giving, Membership, and Events
·        Provide strategic oversight of annual giving and membership programs, with a focus on donor acquisition, retention, upgrades, and pipeline development for major gifts.

·        Ensure that special events and donor engagement activities align with fundraising goals, institutional capacity, and return-on-investment expectations.

·        Develop and implement fundraising event strategies and plans, ensuring seamless execution and adherence to budget.

·        Collaborate across departments to integrate advancement initiatives with exhibitions, programs, and community engagement efforts in ways that reinforce institutional priorities and donor impact.

Advancement Operations and Communications
·        Ensure effective use of CRM and advancement systems to support prospect management, segmentation, analysis, and reporting.

·        Work with the marketing team to oversee the development of compelling fundraising materials, proposals, and donor communications that reflect the museum’s mission and brand.

·        Establish and maintain best practices for advancement operations, data integrity, and internal workflows.

Board and Volunteer Engagement
·        Partner with the Executive Director and Board leadership to engage Board members and key volunteers in fundraising, donor cultivation, and advocacy.

·        Serve as staff liaison to Board committees related to advancement and fundraising, as appropriate.

·        Provide training, tools, and support to help Board members and volunteers succeed as philanthropic ambassadors.

Team Leadership and Collaboration
·        Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing advancement team, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable culture.

·        Set clear expectations and performance goals; support professional development and growth.

·        Collaborate closely with senior leadership and department heads to align funding priorities and institutional messaging, and long-term sustainability goals.

Qualifications
·        Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE certification or advanced degree preferred.

·        Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising or advancement, with increasing responsibility; experience in a museum, cultural organization, or community-focused nonprofit strongly preferred.

·        Demonstrated success in major gifts fundraising, including solicitation and closing of six- and seven-figure individual and institutional gifts

·        Experience participating in or supporting capital, endowment, or comprehensive campaigns, including planning, prospect development, and donor engagement.

·        Strong relationship-building skills and comfort working within a regional philanthropic community, with the ability to identify and engage new donor prospects.

·        Prior experience supervising staff or vendors and contributing to team-based fundraising goals; commitment to inclusive leadership and professional development.

·        Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate institutional priorities into clear, compelling cases for support.

·        Working knowledge of CRM and fundraising systems and comfort using data to inform strategy, track progress, and improve performance.

·        Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

·        Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed, and to serve as a visible and credible ambassador for the museum.

Note:  The job description above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of the exclusive standards, responsibilities, duties or skills required.  Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform other related duties, as may be required.

 

Other Duties as Assigned: This job posting is not designed to cover or contain comprehensive listings of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

 

Benefits:

Benefits include two weeks (10 days) paid vacation, group term life and disability insurance, eleven paid holidays, five personal/sick days, and compensatory time off immediately following the first full day of employment. Group health insurance, with employer paying 85% of the premium, is available following the first full month of employment. A retirement plan is available on the first enrollment date (January 1 or July 1) following 12 months of employment with a generous employer match/contribution. Employee discounts are available on studio art class fees and on purchases in the Museum Store.

 

Equal Opportunity

RAMA complies with all Federal and State anti-discrimination statutes and does not discriminate for any reasons outlined in Federal or State law. This policy will be in effect in all hiring situations for full-time as well as part-time employees, temporary part-time employees, educational instructors, interns, and for the volunteers who enhance staff functions.

 

Mail or email cover letter and resume to:

Robb Woulfe, Executive Director

Racine Art Museum and Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts

PO Box 187

441 Main Street

Racine, WI 53403

Rwoulfe@ramart.org

 

No Phone Calls, Please

 

DIRECTOR OF VISUAL ARTS

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Description: Cedarhurst Center for the Arts seeks a strategic, collaborative Director of Visual Arts to serve as lead curator for our nationally accredited museum in southern Illinois. This position plays the lead role in developing Museum collections and realizing artist exhibitions, commissions, curatorial and public programs, and special projects that activate the Cedarhurst campus, advance forward-looking museum practices, and hone institutional thought leadership. This position reports to the Executive Director.

About Cedarhurst: Founded in 1965, the John R. and Eleanor R. Mitchell Foundation operates Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, a nationally accredited art and cultural institution in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. What began as a two-room museum has grown into a vibrant arts destination featuring:

  • The expanded Mitchell Museum (33,000-square-foot cultural center with four galleries, interactive family space, and performance hall)
  • The Shrode Art Center (gallery, classrooms, and studios)
  • The Schweinfurth House and original Mitchell House (event and meeting spaces)
  • A 65-acre Sculpture Park with 60 large-scale works

Cedarhurst advances its mission to enrich lives through the arts by presenting high-quality exhibitions, stewarding a nationally significant permanent collection, and developing programs that increase access to the arts for communities across southern Illinois and the surrounding region. In recent years, the museum has broadened its commitment to meaningful community engagement with increased partnerships and offsite programming,
and by launching The Lights, a seasonal evening experience that expands holiday access and transforms the sculpture park with immersive light installations.

The museum stewards approximately 800 works of art across multiple media, including paintings, works on paper, photography, sculpture, decorative arts, and global artifacts. The core of the collection – begun in the 1940s and 1950s by founding philanthropists John and Eleanor Mitchell – includes significant American works by artists such as George Bellows, Mary Cassatt, Robert Henri, and Thomas Eakins. In contrast, the Sculpture Park includes major contemporary works by artists such as Chakaia Booker, Dennis Oppenheim, Alexander Liberman, and John Kearney. Cedarhurst presents these holdings in dialogue with exhibitions, education, and community partnerships to serve a largely rural, multi-county region and impact more than 50,000 people annually.

The opportunity: The Director of Visual Arts enhances Cedarhurst’s reputation as a forward-facing public institution regionally and nationally. This role:

  • Ensures professional stewardship of the permanent collection
  • Leads curatorial vision and exhibition development
  • Expands public access and engagement
  • Contributes to scholarship, publications, and digital content
  • Collaborates across departments and with artists, donors, and community partners

The Director of Visual Arts will support the Executive Director as a visible presence in the community and aid in the communication of Cedarhurst’s role as a nationally accredited museum with a significant permanent collection. A senior member of the Museum’s leadership team, this person will foster collaborative relationships across all museum departments, working closely with fellow Directors, as well as artists, donors, community partners, Docents, and other volunteers.

Responsibilities:

Collections Development and Stewardship (30%)

  • Oversee the curatorial role in documentation, storage, conservation planning, and maintenance of archives, as well as in developing digital access and workflows that support collections stewardship.
  • Oversee presentation and conservation of the indoor collection, advising on the need for more collections storage and potential for physical expansion.
  • Oversee presentation and conservation of the outdoor collection, routinely assessing the art and site locations and working with Director of Operations to maintain proper care and presentation of outdoor gallery.
  • Oversee, research, and coordinate national and international art loans, as needed.
  • Research and recommend potential acquisitions that strategically strengthen and diversify Museum collections.
  • Ensure upkeep of all art galleries, collections storage, crate storage, and other curatorial office spaces.

Exhibitions, Publications, and Programs (45%)

  • Serve as lead curator in designing a multi-year exhibition plan – from concept to research to implementation – for the museum’s temporary exhibition galleries that expose audiences to a broad range of art. Oversee and assist with exhibition installation.
  • Lead the Museum’s curatorial and program efforts, with fellow Directors (Education, Engagement, Communication, etc.), to create engaging experiences with the museum’s permanent collections, expanding access and fostering appreciation among southern Illinois audiences. Interpret historical works in new and innovative ways.
  • Research, prepare, and facilitate gallery talks, conversation groups, and other longstanding Cedarhurst programs for the public and other Museum stakeholders.
  • Work with fellow Directors (Communications, Engagement, etc.) to create and share content for a wide range of contexts – from written publication to social media context to seminar presentations – to broaden visitor engagement with Museum collections and exhibitions.
  • Provide staff leadership for the Acquisitions Committee, Cedarhurst Docents, and other volunteer committees related to the visual arts.

Relationship and Research (10%)

  • Attend weekly Team Meetings to develop ideas and collaborate with fellow staff members.
  • Attend scheduled Counselor and Trustee meetings to make progress reports.
  • Cultivate strong relationships with regional and national artists.
  • Foster partnerships with museums, galleries, universities, and other cultural institutions and private collectors, for collaborative programs and exhibitions in an effort to extend Museum reach and capacity.
  • In concert with the Executive Director and Trustees, assist with the proactive identification and stewardship of collectors and donors.
  • Serve as a resource and research engine to staff and public for art and curatorial inquiries. Engage in the professional discourse related to the museum profession, participating as an active member of American Alliance of Museums and other professional organizations.

Administration and Leadership (10%)

  • Create and manage the annual operating budgets for Visual Arts related to collections care and program planning, establishing the museum’s curatorial objectives each year and ensuring their alignment with the Museum’s Strategic Plan.
  • Oversee the development and adherence to the Museum’s Collections Management Policy, Acquisitions Plan, Collections Plan, and Exhibition Plan.
    With the Director of Operations, help oversee the development and management of the Disaster Preparedness Plan.
  • Evaluate exhibitions, educational programs, and curatorial projects to gauge success and measure impact.
  • Develop talking points and provide content for fundraising and communication efforts such as grant applications, press releases, the semi-annual newsletter, etc.

Misc. (5%)

  • Interact with guests, volunteers, and staff to ensure a positive visitor experience.
  • Attend community events and serve on external councils/committees, as needed, to build relationships, promote Cedarhurst offerings, and increase the impact of the arts throughout the region.
  • Support museum access and overall program efforts by contributing to and working major events, such as The Lights: An Exhibition of Holiday Magic at Cedarhurst.
  • Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collaboration, creativity, openness, and kindness.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Art History or related field preferred (Bachelor’s required)

• Minimum 3–5 years of curatorial experience, ideally with increasing leadership responsibility

• Demonstrated record of exhibition development and scholarly research, publication development, and public programming

• Appreciation for Cedarhurst’s mission and expertise in American art; with knowledge of Impressionism and/or Realism strongly preferred

• Strong understanding of and experience with collections planning, acquisitions, and policy development

• Strong writing, public speaking, and cross-departmental leadership skills

• Meeting management, organizational, and negotiation skills.

• Demonstrated passion for the visual arts, with a strong commitment to making art collections more accessible and meaningful to the general public.

• Ability to represent Cedarhurst and its mission to a wide external audience; communicate effectively and interact with all levels of staff as well as artists, visitors, and the general public in a positive, professional, and friendly manner.

We strongly encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every qualification but feel aligned with the role and mission.

Compensation and Hours

• Salary range: $70,000 – $80,000, commensurate with experience

• Full-time, in-person, position

• 35 hour workweek with weekend rotation and occasional evenings/events

• Comprehensive benefits package includes health and dental insurance, paid time off, 401K match, professional development opportunities, and a great working environment

Location: Mt. Vernon, Illinois offers affordable living, a strong sense of community, and access to major metropolitan areas within driving distance, including St. Louis, Nashville, and Chicago. Cedarhurst provides an opportunity to make national-level impact while enjoying a balanced quality of life.

To Apply
Please submit a cover letter, writing sample, and resume with references to hr@cedarhurst.org.

Education Manager

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The William Butterworth Foundation is seeking an Education Manager to lead the design and delivery of engaging educational programs, tours, and public events at the Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House.

If you are passionate about history, lifelong learning, and community engagement, this position offers the opportunity to translate historic resources into meaningful experiences for school groups, families, and adults throughout the Quad Cities.

The Education Manager develops and presents audience-focused programming, collaborates across departments to ensure interpretive accuracy, supervises part-time education staff, and works alongside Community Relations staff to maintain high standards for tour training and public engagement. This role also recruits speakers and performers, builds partnerships with educators and community organizations, and contributes to the growth and continued relevance of the Foundation’s educational offerings.

Position Details:

Full-time, salaried (exempt)
Salary range: $44,000–$55,000
Monday–Friday schedule with evening and weekend programs required
Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, PTO, holiday shutdown, and 401(k) with employer match
Applications will be accepted through March 9, 2026.

To apply:
Complete our online employment application at https://www.butterworthcenter.com/opportunities, and submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to HR@butterworthcenter.com

Director of Collections and Research (Museum Section Head III)

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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is looking to hire a Museum Section Head III (working title Director of Collections and Research) for its State Museum Division. The Director of Collections and Research works closely with the Director of the Illinois State Museum (ISM) in guiding and contributing to established goals in the State Museum Division’s research, collection, exhibition, and education programs in art, anthropology, botany, geology, history, and zoology. Its collections focus on emphasis on Illinois. As a member of the Division’s Leadership Team, this position will act administratively for and collaboratively with the ISM Director. Leadership-level staff are responsible for preparation of detailed, specialized budget materials and professional reports. They contribute to Division administration by formulating and carrying out strategic planning & implementation, and discipline-based programming. They are responsible for working with senior and subordinate staff in establishing objectives and subsequent evaluations. This position will also work assiduously with all State Museum sites to support their administrative, management, and collections care needs. We welcome all interested applicants to apply today.

Museum staff are impelled to engage in a regular cycle of professional development to maintain competence and currency in their areas of expertise or responsibility; and participate in relevant professional organizations. This position is expected to be able to occasionally travel locally, regionally, or statewide to participate in professional development, outreach events, and for general operational needs of their work site. They may be requested to consult, advise, or present information to share their knowledge and experience with museum professionals, students, and the public. Each staff member is expected to create work that is visible to the residents of Illinois; work in a team environment across geographic locations and disciplines; perform at a level that reflects national standards and best practices of an accredited museum and brings state, national, and/or international recognition to the Museum; follow all relevant state and federal laws; and abide by professional museum ethics.

Essential Functions
Serve as a senior manager at Illinois State Museum
Serve as Research and Collections head: in either art, history, or science- serves as a subject matter expert
Serves as a content specialist
Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the Position Overview.

Minimum Qualifications
Requires a minimum Bachelors in appropriate area of specialization such as anthropology, zoology, botany, museum studies, collection management, art history, studio art, history, historic preservation or similar fields. Masters degree in appropriate field(s) of study or higher degree in museum adjacent fields preferred.
Requires a minimum of 15 years’ experience working in museum-related areas such as collection, research, and curation. Work history should demonstrate increasing job responsibilities in program administration and staff management.
Requires 10 years of people management experience.

Applications close 4/7/26

Director of Collections and Conservation

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APPLY NOW

The Nebraska State Historical Society (NSHS) seeks an experienced and collaborative leader to serve as Director of Collections & Conservation. This role provides strategic, administrative, and professional leadership for all collections and conservation functions, ensuring alignment with NSHS’s mission as a statewide educational and cultural institution. The Director works closely with agency leadership and across departments to advance institutional priorities, address public needs, and guide the long-term stewardship and accessibility of Nebraska’s historical resources.

Look at what we have to offer!
• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately
• Military leave
• 156% (that’s not a typo!) state-matched retirement
• Tuition reimbursement (Depending on Agency Budget)
• Employee assistance program
• 79% employer paid health insurance plans
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
• Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State
• Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
• Training and Development based on your career aspirations
• Fun, inviting teammates
• A safe and secure environment
At the State, we stand by our core values of treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically in all situations, and creating an environment where our customer is our top priority. Apply to join our team today!

Leadership, Administration, and Professional Representation

  • Provides leadership and administrative oversight for all NSHS Collections & Conservation activities, including: reference and research services; archives and library collections; 3D object and archeological collections; digitization and digital access; and Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center operations.
  • Plans, assigns, supervises, and evaluates the work of professional staff, fostering their development and encouraging collaboration across departments.
  • Ensures fiscal responsibility and strategic alignment of departmental activities through budgeting, planning, and prioritization in collaboration with the NSHS Finance team.
  • Develops short- and long-range plans that balance public access, responsible stewardship, and improvements to staffing, systems, and infrastructure that support sustainable operations.
  • Participates as a key member of the agency’s leadership team, contributing to organization-wide strategic planning, resource allocation, and cross-department collaboration to advance NSHS’s mission.
  • Acts as a subject matter expert on collections and conservation, providing technical guidance to agency leadership, staff, partners, and the public; advocates for collections priorities and represents NSHS in agency planning efforts, professional forums, and public engagements.

Public Access and Use

  • Provides oversight and support for in-person and online research services, digitization, and digital access to ensure collections are accessible, well-documented, and appropriately managed.
  • Ensures departmental work supports safe public access, exhibitions, and research use across NSHS facilities and platforms.

Collections Stewardship and Conservation

  • Provides direction and oversight for the physical, intellectual, and legal stewardship of collections, including collections care, environmental monitoring, security, inventory, and rights management.
  • Directs accessioning, processing, appraisal, collecting, and deaccessioning activities in accordance with institutional policies, professional standards, and applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
  • Oversees conservation operations and infrastructure through supervision of the Conservation Center Manager.

Projects, Partnerships and Institutional Support

  • Provides leadership for collections-related projects and partnerships across NSHS, including exhibits, loans, active collecting, public programs, and collections care initiatives.
  • Collaborates with internal teams to support exhibitions, interpretation, education, and site-based stewardship.
  • Ensures compliance with institutional requirements related to collections accountability and records retention.

Planning, Grants, and Capacity Development

  • Identifies and oversees grant- and contract-funded projects; ensures required documentation and reporting are completed.
  • Leads planning efforts to address backlogs and expand access as resources allow.
  • Advises agency leadership on long-term stewardship risks, facility needs, and collections-related policies.
    Other duties as assigned within the scope of classification.

 

Requirements / Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications: Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience. Experience overseeing multiple functional areas such as archives, libraries, museum collections, digitization, or conservation. Personnel management, grant development, and project management experience. Experience working within a public-sector, nonprofit, or statewide cultural institution. Familiarity with collections management systems and digital asset platforms.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in history, historic preservation, public/business administration or other field related to area of responsibility including: American studies, architecture, archeology, anthropology, archival studies, historic preservation, library science, museum studies or related field AND two years’ experience in cultural resource management; OR a Master’s degree in any of the above-mentioned fields. Experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of professional standards and best practices for collections stewardship, archives, libraries, digitization, and conservation.
  • Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and policies related to collections and cultural resources.
  • Ability and desire to lead, supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional staff.
  • Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical information to diverse audiences.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
  • Willingness and ability to adapt to evolving technologies, systems, and professional practices.

Vice President of Development

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The Vice President of Development furthers the mission of ISMHS by assuming responsibility for the strategic growth of philanthropic support for the institution. The person in the role will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors while managing the annual fund to meet or exceed annual revenue goals in support of the institution’s mission.

This position leads the development team and reports directly to the President & CEO. The Vice President will be based in downtown Indianapolis and occasionally be required to travel statewide to work directly with the communities surrounding ISMHS’s 12 locations, as well as to work occasional weekends and evenings.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

·       Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to build and strengthen relationships among donors and prospective donors that result in an increase of funding support.

·       Manage an active major gift and individual portfolio of donors to secure support for operations, exhibits, programs, and other institutional priorities.

·       Identify new prospective donors through research, community outreach and relationship building to cultivate new donations.

·       Work in partnership with the President & CEO and CFO to market and pursue planned giving opportunities.

·       Manage the Development department to achieve annual fundraising priorities.

·       Evaluate, update and manage ISMHS’s donor stewardship efforts.

·       Manage the President & CEO’s portfolio to ensure timely donor stewardship communications.

·       Manage the annual board giving process and work with the President & CEO on prospecting and cultivating the board’s sphere of influence.

·       Prepare President & CEO for donor meetings and manage follow up.

·       Support the President & CEO at events to ensure donors are cultivated and stewarded.

·       Coordinate site visits, exhibition tours, and behind-the-scenes tours for funders with ISMHS leadership.

·       Lead ISMHS events, tours, and other stewardship activities.

·       Monitor department budget in coordination with President & CEO and CFO.

·       Represent ISMHS at donor meetings and events and maintain a community presence for engaging with current and prospective donors.

·       Track proposals, donor interactions, stewardship activities and reports through CRM database, Blackbaud Altru.

·       Other duties as assigned.

 

What We’re Looking For:

·       Skilled facilitator, capable of articulating institutional objectives to funders.

·       Persuasive communication skills required, including the ability to draft compelling appeals, acknowledgement letters, grants and emails.

·       The ability to effectively present information in one-on-one, small group, and formal presentations/public speaking required.

·       High level of organization and accuracy.

·       The ability to manage several tasks and deadlines at once; maintain flexibility as funding priorities may shift.

·       Handle information confidentially and manage donor relationships with a high degree of personal integrity.

·       Strong commitment to teamwork and ability to work effectively across multiple departments and at all levels of the organization.

·       Must demonstrate a high degree of creativity, energy, self-initiative, and responsiveness.

·       Minimum of five years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in soliciting six-figure gifts.

 

What You’ll Need for Success:

·       Bachelor’s Degree.

·       Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification or equivalent higher education preferred.

·       Demonstrated success pursuing and securing donor contributions, and managing all the complexities of donor relationships.

·       Exceptional communication skills, with enthusiasm for writing and verbally communicating the organization’s mission and need for support.

·       Proven project management skills, including monitoring budgets .

·       Strong attention to detail and organizational skills to track donor plans and meet overlapping deadlines throughout the year.

·       Confidence working in collaboration with colleagues, as well as independently.

·       Customer-service-oriented and reliable with follow-through.

·       Demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, critical thinking, and ability to problem-solve.

·       Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment, maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and handle situations with diplomacy.

·       Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment where priorities and direction may change frequently.

ISMHS Expectations

·       Visitor-centered: The ISMHS team puts the visitor at the heart of all decisions to create relevant experiences and build long-term relationships.

·       Externally focused: The ISMHS team prioritizes community partnerships and connections, reputation, audiences, relevancy and understanding trends.

·       Working within the system: The ISMHS team utilizes interdepartmental knowledge, experience and resources in collaboration to strengthen the 12-site system and the state of Indiana, understand and achieve overall institutional priorities and celebrate success together.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role manages a team of two including a grant writer and support staff.

Salary:

This position traditionally starts at an annual salary of $90,000.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees which includes:

·       Four (4) medical plan options (including RX coverage) and vision/dental coverages

·       Wellness program (offers eligibility into a discounted medical plan)

·       Health savings account (includes bi-weekly state contribution)

·       Deferred compensation account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match

·       Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

·       Group life insurance

·       Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

·       Paid vacation, personal and sick time off

·       Competitive leave policies covering a variety of employee needs

·       12 company paid holidays, 14 on election years

·       Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

·       New Parent Leave

·       Education Reimbursement policy

Director of Grants & Strategic Partnerships

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Position Overview:

The Director of Grants and Strategic Partnerships leads The Wright’s efforts to secure funding through grants (government, corporate, private) while cultivating key partnerships to expand community impact and financial sustainability. This position manages the entire grant lifecycle, develops strategic relationships with stakeholders, and oversees, reports on, and aligns these efforts with organizational goals and strategic plans. This position reports to the Vice President of Development. This position may supervise staff or interns.

 

Essential Functions:

  • Grant Management & Strategy: Identifying funding opportunities, managing grant writing, and ensuring compliance with requirements.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Cultivating and maintaining relationships with corporate, private, and governmental funders to align with organizational goals.
  • Reporting & Compliance: Managing grant deliverables, tracking progress, and communicating impact to partners.
  • Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Working with teams to define funding needs and develop proposals.

Additional Key Responsibilities:

  • In partnership with institution leadership, support development strategy and oversee ongoing development efforts with public/private institutions.
    Work with key internal and external stakeholders to identify resources needed, funding prospects, and execute funding approaches.
  • Design and implement an annual giving campaign in the form of an annual development plan that includes strategies and goals for annual giving.
  • Support and partner with VP of  Development on all major fundraising initiatives.
  • Oversee development and execution of all fundraising proposals, including corporate sponsorship and local and national grants and grant compliance/reporting.
  • Ensure prompt acknowledgement of foundation gifts.
  • Submit grant requests, letters of inquiry, and proposals.
  • Tracks performance against grant proposals and awarded grants, as well as sources of funds.
  • Prioritizes projects to keep multiple projects moving in a timely manner, meets deadlines, and manages supplemental material required for proposals.
  • Provides writing support for major donor and individual contribution letters and acknowledgements.
  • Prepares and produces final written reports as part of evaluation of final results for grants.
  • Oversee the hiring, training, and mentoring of the development team, as well as additional staff, interns or contractors related to special projects.
  • Devise and implement special fundraising projects as needed (e.g., capital campaign, programmatic campaigns, etc.)
  • Oversee all donor information using our membership database system, provide statistical analysis to board and senior leaders as needed, and support staff responsible for daily system functions and gift processing.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred in English, Journalism, Art, or related area.
    Five or more years of professional experience with grant writing and management in a nonprofit organization.
  • Proven success leading and managing fundraising at the organizational level.
    Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships.
  • Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
  • Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside the organization.
  • High energy and passion for the Museum’s mission.
  • Exceptional computer literacy skills and familiarity with development related databases.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
  • A willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends is essential.

Manager of Individual Engagement

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Position Overview:

The Manager of Individual Engagement at The Wright drives member retention, acquisition, and satisfaction by developing strategies to foster deep, personalized connections with members. This position manages the full member lifecycle—from onboarding to renewal—while analyzing engagement data, enhancing member value, and overseeing daily operations and communications. In addition, this position strengthens nonprofit revenue by developing strategies to attract, retain, and steward individual donors. This position reports to the Vice President of Development. This position may supervise staff and interns.

 

Essential Functions:

  • Retention & Recruitment: Develop and execute strategies to increase the membership base and increase retention rates.
  • Individual Engagement: Create personalized, high-touch experiences for members and individual donors, ensuring consistent, positive interactions across all channels.
  • Onboarding & Support: Guide new members through onboarding, serving as a primary point of contact to ensure they utilize member benefits.
  • Data Analysis, Reporting & CRM Management: Monitor membership workflows, analyze member and individual donor engagement data, and track metrics to identify opportunities for improvement. Maintaining donor databases, tracking portfolio activity, and using data to inform engagement strategies.
  • Strategy Development: Align membership and individual donor initiatives with organizational goals and develop strategies for member and individual donor cultivation and satisfaction.
  • Technology Utilization: Manage and maintain member and donor records within CRM systems.
  • Donor Cultivation & Strategy: Developing and executing strategies for annual and mid-level giving, including identifying new prospects and nurturing existing relationships.
  • Donor Communications: Managing stewardship efforts, including donor newsletters, personalized communication, and fundraising appeals.
  • Relationship Management: Directly interacting with donors, conducting meetings, and ensuring high-quality donor experiences.
  • Collaboration: Working with internal divisions and departments, and program teams to align donor engagement with organizational goals.
  •  Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred
  • 3+ years of development, fundraising, membership and donor relations.
  • Progressive project management responsibilities and experience overseeing complex, deadline-driven fundraising events.
  • Track record of success in building relationships leading to membership or individual donations to meet organizational goals.
  • Impeccable writing and speaking skills with the ability to communicate persuasively to senior executives and external groups.·
  • Experience creating original presentations for targeted audiences.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in African American history and culture.
  • Strong computer skills with an emphasis on Microsoft Office programs, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and CRMs and Social Media platforms
  • Must be able to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
  •  Ability to work independently with limited supervision and instruction at times; demonstrate sound decision-making skills and resourcefulness.