Associate Director of Museum Development

Colby College; Waterville (ME); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Colby College Museum of Art seeks an Associate Director of Museum Development to broaden philanthropic engagement through leadership gifts and sponsorships. Based in Waterville, you will collaborate with advancement teams on communications, events, and donor stewardship to support the Dare Northward campaign and the museum’s growth.

You will manage a portfolio of 100+ households, guide Friends of Art activities, and help create engaging appeals and events that deepen support for Colby

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience.
• Minimum 3–5 years of fundraising or related experience with success in direct solicitations.
• Demonstrated capacity to organize and manage programs.
• Superb organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines, and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with fundraising/alumni relations databases and related technology.
• Willingness to travel and ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 100+ households to solicit leadership annual gifts ($2,500–$99,000).
• Review gifts, research donor histories, and identify engagement opportunities.
• Oversee Friends of Art annual solicitation plans in collaboration with museum and advancement teams.
• Develop and execute museum events and donor communications to highlight the museum’s impact.
• Track progress toward annual giving goals and oversee gift acknowledgments.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Event planning

Verbal communication

Written communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

CRM databases

Job description

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 sponsorships 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.

Essential Functions

• 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.

Friends of Art, Appeals and Pipeline Development

• 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.

Museum Development Events

• 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.

Museum Development Communications

• 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.

Data Review and Gift Acknowledgments

• 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.

General

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

Position Qualifications

• 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, self-motivated work ethic; flexibility; and demonstrated capability to work both independently and constructively as a member of a diverse community.
• Appreciation of Colby’s and Colby College Museum of Art’s missions and the ability to effectively communicate them.
• Unwavering commitment to fostering an anti-racist, equitable work environment supportive of people from different cultures, backgrounds, and life paths.
• Willingness and ability to work outside normal working hours (i.e., nights and weekends).
• Must be willing to travel; valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements.

Key Relationships

Reporting to the executive director of museum development, the associate director of museum development will work closely with the Colby College Museum of Art’s Carolyn Muzzy director and advancement partners. The associate director of museum development will have direct contact with museum staff and key members of the Museum Board of Governors.

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. To perform this role effectively, an employee is expected to handle employee information, documents, and sensitive matters with care, professionalism, and respect for privacy. This position involves working with a variety of timelines, including some that require quick turnaround and responsiveness to urgent needs. In this role, the employee will interact with members of the public and others in a variety of situations and conversations. Presenting oneself in a professional, respectful, and thoughtful manner at all times is an important part of the role. This position includes regular movement throughout office spaces, hallways, meeting rooms, and other campus locations. Daily work will involve extended use of a computer, including keyboard and mouse. Physical requirements differ by position. In general, most roles involve lifting up to 10 pounds regularly, with some positions requiring occasional lifting of up to 35 pounds. Vision requirements for this position include the ability to see clearly at close and far distances and to adjust focus as needed. The work environment is dynamic and engaging, often involving multiple tasks and projects that require shifting focus and strong organizational skills. The noise level is generally moderate; however, there may be occasional moments of louder sounds depending on campus activity. Colby College supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.