Chief Development Officer & Donor Strategy for Museums

Breathe Project; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh seek a visionary Vice President and Chief Development Officer (VPCDO) to lead strategy, operations, and fundraising across four museums. You will oversee campaigns, memberships, sponsorships, and communications to maximize philanthropic support.

Responsibilities include building donor relationships, guiding major gifts, and coordinating embedded development teams with museum leadership to sustain long-term growth and annual objectives.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in humanities, sciences, museum studies, non-profit management, or related field is required.
• Graduate degree preferred.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Develop, nurture, and maintain productive philanthropic relationships with individuals, 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.

Skills

Collaboration

Fundraising best practices

Interpersonal communication

Operational efficiency

Ethics

Museum mission understanding

Inclusive workplace commitment

Donor management software familiarity

Donor-centered fundraising philosophy

Core values alignment

Productivity vs process balance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in humanities, sciences, museum studies, non-profit management, or related field

Graduate degree preferred

Tools

Fundraising software familiarity

Job description

The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh seek a visionary Vice President and Chief Development Officer (VPCDO) to lead strategy, operations, and fundraising across four museums. You will oversee campaigns, memberships, sponsorships, and communications to maximize philanthropic support.

Responsibilities include building donor relationships, guiding major gifts, and coordinating embedded development teams with museum leadership to sustain long-term growth and annual objectives.