Vice President and Chief Development Officer

This Full-Time position is eligible for the Carnegie Museums' many Benefits. 

Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay 

rate. 

The Vice President and Chief Development Officer (VPCDO) is responsible for the strategic direction and operational management of development activities throughout Carnegie Museums’ (CMs’) four-museum system; ensures the efficient operation of fundraising programs in support of broad fundraising success. The VPCDO oversees ongoing development activities, special fundraising campaigns, membership, sponsorship, and organizational communications.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & AND EXPERIENCE:

• Undergraduate degree in humanities, sciences, museum studies, non-profit management, or related field is required; graduate degree preferred.
• Must have significant and broad-ranging experience in fund-raising; demonstrated success in planning or implementing fund-raising campaigns; experience with relationship management functions; experience in board, government, and/or volunteer relations.
• Experience in museum, educational, or cultural settings desirable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Ability to succeed in a highly collaborative, matrixed work environment.
• Knowledge of current best practices in advancement/fundraising.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Operational and process-focused mindset with an eye to efficiency and maximizing return within existing departmental capacity.
• Strong knowledge of and commitment to professional ethics.
• Appreciation of the mission and culture of museums.
• Commitment to an inclusive workplace.
• Familiarity with standard relationship management and fundraising software and workflow processes. Dedication to a philosophy of “donor-centered” fundraising.
• Willingness to embrace CM’s Core Values in the context of development activities.
• Ability to balance productivity and process, independence, and collaboration.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work is primarily sedentary in nature; no special demands are required.
• Candidates will be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

A successful VPCDO will set a vision and plan to drive significant philanthropic investment across the four-museum system and create a departmental operating plan and budget in the service of the following responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Museum Directors, President/CEO and other senior leaders, to set the vision and financial goals for philanthropy and align plans for a donor-centered fundraising program.
• Develop, nurture, and maintain productive philanthropic relationships with individual, business, foundation, community leaders and groups to enhance awareness of and interest in CM’s strategic focus, programs, and giving opportunities.
• Develop and oversee systems designed to achieve departmental operational and fundraising goals.
• Work closely with the President/CEO and Museum Directors to solicit and close major and principal gifts.
• Participate in the creation of strong communications and public relations programs in support of productive relationships with donors, members, supporters, and the Pittsburgh community at large.
• Work collaboratively with the Museum Directors to establish and maintain effective embedded development teams that meet the museums’ operational needs; evaluate the work of the embedded directors of development and their teams; and ensure they are working to support the Museum Directors’ priorities, fundraising strategies, and development events as well as achieving the museums’ fundraising goals for annual operating and special initiatives.    
• Lead a comprehensive campaign to raise capital, endowment, and operating funds to contribute to the long-term sustainability of CM.
• Oversee annual corporate and individual fundraising programs as well as a robust membership program for 30,000+ households to maximize the level of ongoing contributions to CM and meet annual budget objectives.
• Select, develop, motivate, and manage staff to assure the achievement of goals, adherence to ethical standards, compliance with all appropriate laws and regulations, and strong, respectful relationships with CM’s internal constituencies and external supporters and community.
• Oversee consistent and sound relationship management practices to ensure that data and information are effectively used and communicated across the organization to support both tactical and strategic planning. This includes a strong collaboration with CM’s CFO and COO to ensure financial and operational success.

• Serve as corporate officer and member of the Institute Leadership Team; participate in policy development as a voice for donor-centric philosophy. Advise Museum Directors and the President/CEO about fundraising opportunities and strategies.
• Support the CM Board of Trustees, Development Committee, and the four Museum Advisory Boards on recruiting new members; in meeting management; and in their roles as ambassadors/fundraisers for the organization.