Chief Development Officer

the-corning-museum-of-glass; City of Corning (NY); On-site; USD 250,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

The Corning Museum of Glass (CMoG) in Corning, NY is seeking a strategic Chief Development Officer to lead fundraising, donor relations, and development strategy for global philanthropy. You will guide major gifts, oversee campaigns, and partner with leadership and the Board to grow resources and impact.

You will build a high-performing Development Department, ensure fiscal stewardship, and advance CMoG’s mission through sophisticated fundraising programs and initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of successful nonprofit fundraising with a track record of increased managerial responsibility.
• Demonstrated track record of cultivating, soliciting, and securing significant major gifts.
• Experience securing corporate philanthropic support and foundation/government grants.
• Knowledge of legal/tax matters regarding charitable giving; budget acumen in development budgets.
• Knowledge of professional standards for fundraising ( AFP or similar ).
• Knowledge of ethical standards for fundraising ( American Alliance of Museums ).
• Experience using fundraising databases, data analytics, and AI-enabled tools to identify donors and improve engagement.
• Global orientation and knowledge of global philanthropy trends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the Museum.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the Development Department staff and budget.
• Cultivate and solicit major gifts; manage donor relations and capital campaigns.
• Collaborate with the President, Board of Trustees, and leadership to raise visibility and resources.
• Oversee policy, strategy, and all fundraising programs including membership and events.
• Represent the Museum professionally, fostering engagement with diverse stakeholders.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Donor relations

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budgets & finance

Data analytics

AI-enabled fundraising tools

Global philanthropy

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Fundraising databases

CRM systems

Data analytics tools

AI-enabled fundraising tools

Job description

Organization Overview

Founded in 1951 by Corning Incorporated as a gift to the nation, the Corning Museum of Glass (CMoG) is the global center for the art, science, and history of glass. The Museum shapes the understanding and appreciation of glass worldwide and draws more than 300,000 visitors each year to a city of roughly 10,000 residents. The New York Times named CMoG as one of the U.S. museums to see in 2025, and Newsweek readers voted CMoG one of the Top 3 Best Art Museums in America.

With more than 10,000 works on display, the Museum galleries showcase glass selected from a permanent collection of more than 50,000 objects representing more than 3,500 years of history. The expansive collection is presented in three core galleries – 35 Centuries of Glass, Heineman, and Contemporary Art & Design – to tell the global story of glass from antiquity through the present day. The Innovation Galleries highlight scientific and technological achievements using glass, ranging from casserole dishes to telescopes to optical fiber.

CMoG is regarded as the conservation authority on glass to museums and institutions around the world.

In late 2024, the Museum celebrated the expansion of The Studio, funded primarily by a successful capital campaign. The Studio, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, features the first large scale kiln casting facility in North America and can support over 100,000 Make Your Own Glass projects annually. The state-of-the-art facilities provide artists and students with the tools and the support they need to take risks and make discoveries; opportunities for people of all skill levels to forge and deepen their understanding of glass; and connections to the glass community, where artists gather to create, learn, and share.

Role Summary & Context for Recruitment

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is responsible for the strategic planning, management, and success of the comprehensive fundraising efforts of the Corning Museum of Glass, including the pursuit of long-term relationships that benefit the financial health of the Museum. The CDO oversees policy, strategy, and execution of the work of the Development Department, which includes individual and planned giving, corporate, foundation and government giving, membership, giving appeals, special events, and donor relations programs. This leader reports to the Museum President and Executive Director, providing them with expert advice on all aspects of fundraising, including policy development and changes as well as new program directions. The CDO will manage all future campaigns. The CDO works closely with the Development Committee and Board of Trustees to build the Museum’s visibility, impact, and financial resources. The CDO serves as a champion for CMoG and the catalyst in strengthening the Museum’s culture of philanthropy.

The CDO oversees a team of seven staff members and provides strategic oversight and leadership for the Development Department’s annual operating budget.

Formal fundraising at CMoG is a relatively young discipline, having taken shape over the past decade alongside the Museum's landmark expansion of The Studio, and its successful capital campaign. As CMoG enters its next chapter, the Museum is investing in building a comprehensive, professionalized development program capable of matching the global stature of its collection, scholarship, and artistic community. The CDO will have the rare opportunity to help shape this program's strategy, systems, and team at an early and formative stage of its growth.

The CDO will be a close strategic partner and an active member of the Museum's leadership team. This is an opportunity to help shape CMoG's comprehensive strategic and fundraising plan, to be developed in partnership with the President and Board of Trustees over the coming year.

With a world-renowned glass collection, the preeminent Rakow Research Library, and a thriving community of working studio artists, CMoG offers an unusually rich philanthropic story. The CDO will have the opportunity to build Development’s presence among collector, scholarly, and design communities nationally and internationally, while deepening engagement with members and visitors closer to home.

Candidate Profile

CMoG will consider a broad range of backgrounds. The ideal candidate will align with the following qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of successful nonprofit fundraising with a track record of increased managerial responsibility and fundraising success.
• Demonstrated track record of personally cultivating, soliciting, and securing significant major gifts, coupled with experience leading and developing successful fundraising teams.
• Demonstrated experience securing corporate philanthropic support and foundation and government grants.
• Possesses knowledge of legal and tax matters regarding charitable giving and fundraising; budget acumen with experience in developing budgets for development.
• Possesses knowledge of professional standards for fundraising through membership and continuing professional development with the Association of Fundraising Professionals or other similar organization(s).
• Possesses knowledge of ethical standards for fundraising of the American Alliance of Museums.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing modern fundraising databases, data analytics, and AI-enabled tools and techniques to identify and qualify prospective donors, strengthen fundraising strategies, and improve donor engagement and fundraising effectiveness.
• Possesses a global orientation and knowledge of strategies and trends in global philanthropy.
• Demonstrated supervisory and management skills, along with the ability to work effectively and professionally with people at all levels, including external stakeholders. Experience building or scaling a development department's infrastructure, systems, and team.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Skills & Abilities

• Respects and exemplifies the mission, vision, and values of CMoG in all interactions with colleagues, staff, volunteers and the public.
• Represents the Museum in a professional manner.
• Adheres to all prescribed organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Understands the Museum’s mission and programs; appreciates cultural environments; interested in the arts and museums.
• Politically astute, diplomatic leader with excellent judgment who is able to navigate and align perspectives among donors, Board members, and staff.
• Demonstrates exceptional relationship-building skills, with the confidence and interpersonal judgment to engage donors from diverse backgrounds, cultivate lasting philanthropic relationships, and make compelling requests for significant financial support.
• Collaborative leader who builds and develops teams and shares credit for success.
• Thinks strategically and develops long-term strategies and goals.
• Meets deadlines and can handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent presentation skills including the ability to speak in front of diverse groups.
• Outstanding writing skills; experience with social media communications.
• Works independently and as part of a team; strong collaboration skills.
• Works virtually and effectively adapts to various workplace environments.
• Some evenings, weekends, and holidays required; flexibility in hours necessary.
• Frequent regional, domestic, and international travel.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Corning Museum of Glass is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates of any race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, and/or any other legally protected status.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position is expected to range from $250,000 to $275,000, commensurate with experience.