Managing Director, Development & External Affairs

KID Museum; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

KID Museum is seeking a Managing Director of Development & External Affairs to expand impact, visibility, and the network of philanthropic champions. You will lead a fundraising operation, cultivate major donors, and partner with the Founder, Executive Director, and senior leadership to drive growth and strategy.

You will shape how KID Museum engages philanthropists, funders, and national partners, crafting compelling cases for support and building this external engine to sustain growth and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of fundraising leadership experience.
• Track record of securing significant philanthropic investments, partnerships, sponsorships, or major gifts.
• Experience developing and executing fundraising strategy.
• Experience managing donor and prospect portfolios.
• Strong communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.
• Experience leading teams and collaborating across functions.
• Ability to move comfortably between strategy and execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy spanning major gifts, foundations, corporate partnerships, government funding, and campaigns.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and strategic funders.
• Collaborate with the Founder, Executive Director, and senior leadership to build systems and relationships for growth.
• Increase external visibility by positioning KID Museum with national and regional donors and partners.
• Translate impact into compelling cases for support to inspire investment.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Relationship-building

Strategic thinking

Communication & storytelling

Team leadership

Donor portfolio management

Public speaking

Job description

Help shape the future of learning. Build the partnerships that make it possible.

KID Museum is at an exciting inflection point. Over the past decade, we have grown from a beloved local museum into a nationally recognized learning lab that develops, tests, and shares innovative approaches to helping young people thrive in a rapidly changing world. We work at the intersection of education, creativity, technology, workforce readiness, and youth development, engaging thousands of students, educators, families, and community partners every year.

As we enter our next chapter of growth, we're seeking a Managing Director, Development & External Affairs to help expand our impact, our visibility, and the network of champions who believe in this work.

This is more than a traditional fundraising leadership role. We're looking for an entrepreneurial relationship-builder, strategist, storyteller, and fundraiser who is energized by creating opportunities, opening doors, and turning vision into investment. You'll help shape how KID Museum shows up with philanthropists, institutional funders, corporate leaders, government supporters, and education innovators while building the philanthropic engine that fuels our mission.

What Makes This Opportunity Different

This is a rare opportunity to:

• Join a mission-driven organization at a pivotal moment of growth
• Partner directly with an entrepreneurial founder and executive leadership team
• Shape organizational strategy as a member of the Senior Leadership Team
• Build and expand a sophisticated fundraising operation
• Play a visible role with Board members, community leaders, and national partners
• Help define how a growing organization engages philanthropists, funders, and thought leaders
• Contribute to work that is influencing the future of education and youth development

If you are motivated by purpose, excited by growth, and ready to help build something that matters, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

Lead KID Museum's Next Phase of Fundraising Growth

You'll develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy spanning:

• Major gifts
• Foundations
• Corporate partnerships
• Government funding
• Campaign giving
• Emerging philanthropic opportunities

Working closely with the Founder & Executive Director, Chief Strategy & Advancement Officer, Board members, and senior leadership team, you'll help create the strategies, systems, and relationships necessary to sustain and accelerate organizational growth.

Build and Advance High-Impact Relationships

You'll personally manage a portfolio of major donors, funders, and strategic partners, cultivating relationships that lead to transformational investments and long‑term engagement. This role requires someone who enjoys being in the room, making connections, creating momentum, and developing trusted relationships with:

• Philanthropic leaders
• Corporate executives
• Foundation partners
• Government supporters
• Education leaders
• Community stakeholders
• National funders

Strengthen KID Museum's Philanthropic Presence

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you'll serve as a key external ambassador for KID Museum, helping expand our visibility and influence among current and prospective donors, funders, and partners across the Washington region and nationally. You'll help position KID Museum not only as a destination for learning but as a leader in reimagining how young people develop the skills, mindsets, and experiences needed for the future — in ways that inspire deeper philanthropic investment and partnership.

Tell a Story People Want to Invest In

Working closely with colleagues across programs, communications, and leadership, you'll translate KID Museum's impact into compelling cases for support that inspire donors, partners, and advocates. You'll help communicate a powerful and consistent message:

KID Museum is a learning lab that develops, tests, and shares innovative approaches to future‑ready learning.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a leader who brings a combination of fundraising expertise, strategic thinking, and relationship‑building excellence.

Ideal candidates will have:

• 10+ years of experience in fundraising, development, external affairs, partnerships, or related leadership roles
• A track record of securing significant philanthropic investments, partnerships, sponsorships, or major gifts
• Experience developing and executing fundraising strategy
• Success managing donor and prospect portfolios
• Strong communication, presentation, and storytelling skills
• Experience leading teams and collaborating across functions
• the ability to move comfortably between strategy and execution

Additional experience that would be especially valuable includes:

• Relationships across the Washington DC, Maryland, or broader DMV philanthropic community
• Connections to education, technology, workforce development, or social impact sectors
• Experience supporting capital campaigns or transformational growth initiatives
• Experience working closely with founders, CEOs, boards, or highly visible external leaders

About KID Museum

KID Museum is a leading experiential learning organization dedicated to empowering the next generation with the skills, creativity, and confidence needed to shape the future. Through hands‑on programs, workshops, educator partnerships, community engagement, and innovation initiatives, we help young people become creators, problem‑solvers, and changemakers.

Ready to help build the partnerships, resources, and momentum that will shape the future of learning? We'd love to hear from you.