Development Director — Growth & Major Gifts Leader

Texas Association of Museums; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Friends of the Texas Historical Commission (FTHC) seeks a Development Director to lead philanthropic growth and organizational impact, reporting to the THC Chief Development Officer. The role partners with the Executive Director and Board to expand fundraising, programs, and communications across the state.

Based in Austin, the position requires strategic vision, fundraising program development, and staff leadership to build a sustainable development function and capital campaigns.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Minimum twelve to fourteen (12-14) years of experience in the nonprofit sector, with a minimum of nine to ten (9-10) years of experience in development and fundraising, with at least five (5) years of leadership and management experience in that role.
• Experience in major gift fundraising and grant-writing.
• Experience in program development and coordination.
• Experience with an industry standard CRM/donor database system, such as Neon, Raiser’s Edge, or other fundraising software.
• Experience in donor communications (emails, newsletters, annual reports, etc.).
• Proficiency in online communications software (like Gov Delivery, MailChimp, Constant Contact, etc.).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience and skill in public speaking.
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure.
• Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record and ability to drive a state vehicle; and
• Required to travel a minimum of 30% of the work period.

Responsibilities

• Leadership Development and Support: Work closely with FTHC ED on developing, tracking, and implementing strategic priorities for the FTHC.
• Engage with ED as well as Board and Commission leadership to understand the full scope of THC’s programs and goals, and the FTHC's partnership with the state agency.
• Work with the ED to understand and implement strategic priorities beyond development and fundraising.
• Represent the ED in key leadership meetings and engagements as required.
• Supervise the Development staff as outlined in the organizational structure of the FTHC.
• Work with ED and staff to ensure that the FTHC's mission is fulfilled through effective strategy and planning.
• Work with the Executive Director to create a 3-year development plan, an annual fundraising plan, and a strategic communications plan, to support all ongoing development efforts and goals as directed by the Board.
• Work with the ED to coordinate all ongoing fundraising campaigns (capital, programs, etc.).
• Build and grow a disciplined pipeline of major and principal gift donors. Manage (in partnership with the ED and the Development Manager) a robust list of major gift prospects (individual, foundation, corporate, and institutional prospects) for specific programs and projects, including capital campaigns.
• Coordinate all foundation and institutional fundraising to support any ongoing capital and program/project fundraising campaigns.
• Work with the Executive Director (ED) to ensure strong campaign strategy and readiness, including the development of cases for support for capital projects and programs.
• Ensure shared ownership of key relationships, activating the ED and the Board to effectively cultivate and steward these relationships.
• Support the ED, Board, and the FTHC team on any fundraising or special events.
• Development Infrastructure and Operations: Build and strengthen systems, processes, and reporting to support sustainable and scalable growth in fundraising.
• Optimize CRM, donor analytics, and performance tracking, to enable clear forecasting and goal setting, and establish accountability structures across the development function.
• External Strategy, Marketing, and Communications: Oversee and align marketing and communications as a core component of fundraising, and for effective ongoing communications with donors, partners, and supporters.
• Provide strategic guidance to the Development Associate to build consistency in messaging, brand positioning, and storytelling.
• Integrate donor engagement, communications, and visibility into a cohesive strategy.
• Program Development and Support: Work with THC leadership and FTHC ED to develop and expand distinct preservation programs, including education and outreach programs, as well as development trainings and workshops as required. Establish measures and indicators of program performance.
• Assist the ED in strengthening Board engagement, accountability, and leadership in fundraising. This includes providing them with the tools as well as the clear expectations required for them to perform their leadership role.
• Support the ED on board meeting planning, assisting in building board and committee meeting agendas.
• Facilitate board action items that relate to THC divisions.
• Assist the ED and the Finance and Operations Manager in budget development and regular financial review.
• May train others.
• Adhere to established work schedule with regular attendance.
• Follow all THC safety guidelines/procedures and ethics requirements.

Job description

Friends of the Texas Historical Commission (FTHC) seeks a Development Director to lead philanthropic growth and organizational impact, reporting to the THC Chief Development Officer. The role partners with the Executive Director and Board to expand fundraising, programs, and communications across the state.

Based in Austin, the position requires strategic vision, fundraising program development, and staff leadership to build a sustainable development function and capital campaigns.