DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR at Dayton Art Institute – Dayton, Ohio

The Development Director at the Dayton Art Institute oversees all fundraising activities, excluding grants, ensuring the financial stability and growth of the institution. This role is responsible for managing annual funds, memberships, sponsorships, individual giving, and donor relations. The Development Director plays a crucial role in engaging with the community, building strong relationships with donors, and representing the museum at various events to secure continuous funding and support. The Development Director is also involved in reinstating the legacy giving program and must raise a total of $2.2 million annually.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees all areas of fundraising, including the annual fund, general membership, Jefferson Patterson Society (JPS) and corporate membership, higher-level membership (starting at $1,500+), sponsorships for exhibitions, education, and events, and individual giving.
• Involved in the reinstatement of the legacy giving program to secure long-term financial support for the museum.
• Manages a team of three full-time and two part-time staffers.
• Oversees departments responsible for data management, ensuring accurate records of donations, addresses, giving histories, and trends.
• Conducts regular check-ins with the fundraising and data management team (twice a month) and holds individual 1-on-1 meetings to monitor progress and address any issues.
• Sets and monitors fundraising goals, prepares monthly progress reports, and attends essential internal and external meetings.
• Engages with donors, members, sponsors, and community partners in an outward-facing role to build and maintain strong relationships.
• Attends and represent the Dayton Art Institute at external events such as chamber breakfasts, Boys and Girls Club events, and donors' homes.
• Collaborates extensively with marketing, education, and curatorial teams to align fundraising initiatives and strategies.
• Tracks and reports financial contributions and progress using detailed reports generated on the 1st of every month.
• Reports on financial status and comparative analysis with previous years during bi-monthly Board of Trustees meetings.
• Recognizes contributors and ensuring they feel valued through personalized interaction and acknowledgment.
• Maintains personal interaction with donors, ensuring approachability and strong relationships to drive contributions.
• Attends various social events and functions outside regular working hours to connect with community members and donors.
• Balances numerous internal meetings and community engagements, maintaining flexibility while focusing on achieving fundraising goals.
• Adapts to unexpected team changes and fill gaps as needed, demonstrating strong commitment to representing the Dayton Art Institute positively within the community.
• Emphasizes the significance of recognizing every donor's contribution, regardless of size, and maintaining a transparent and approachable demeanor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Development Director supervises the Database & Special Projects Officer, the Individual & Legacy Giving Officer, the Senior Engagement & Corporate Giving Officer, and the Membership & Annual Fund Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as non-profit management, business administration, communications, or a related discipline. Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 5years of experience in fundraising and development, preferably within a museum, arts, or cultural institution.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications.
• Proven track record of successful fundraising, including managing annual funds, memberships, sponsorships, individual giving, and donor relations.
• Extensive experience in planning and executing major fundraising events, with a history of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with donors, members, sponsors, and community partners.
• Proficiency in using fundraising software and data management systems.
• Experience in supervising and mentoring staff, with a collaborative and motivational leadership style.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to engage with diverse communities and foster an inclusive environment.
• Willingness to attend events outside of regular working hours to build relationships and represent the museum in the community.
• Pursuing or holding Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credentials is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role is primarily based in an office setting, with regular movement throughout museum offices, galleries, storage areas and other public facing spaces. The position may require sitting or standing for extended periods, and communicating effectively through electronic communication. Occasional lifting of materials up to approximately 20 lbs may be required. Work schedules may include occasional evenings, weekends, or special events depending on museum programming and operational needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position in accordance with applicable law.