Public Relations & Development Manager

State of Montana; East Helena (MT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana Historical Society seeks an experienced Public Relations and Development Manager to lead development, membership, and marketing/communications. You will personally drive major gifts, fundraising strategy, and donor stewardship while guiding a four-person team and representing the agency with external partners.

The role combines strategic vision with hands-on execution in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and reports to the Director and COO.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, administration, public relations, communications, marketing, or business.
• Five or more years of nonprofit experience, including development and implementation of a significant, successful fundraising effort or major gift solicitation.
• Five or more years of experience in marketing, communications, and public relations (direct or oversight experience).
• Experience supervising and managing a team.
• Track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.
• Experience with membership programs.
• Experience working with a board of directors and executive leadership.
• Museum, cultural institution, or historical society experience a plus.
• Other combinations of education and experience may be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor a team of four public relations and administrative staff, including hiring, performance management, discipline, work distribution, and staff development.
• Set team goals and conduct performance reviews.
• Manage development, membership, and public relations budgets.
• Execute components of the agency’s strategic plan as they relate to Public Relations and Development, including measuring performance and implementing strategies for success.
• Support agency-wide problem-solving, initiatives, member and donor event management, and strategic opportunities as they arise.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships and partnerships with external stakeholders.
• Represent the agency to internal and external stakeholders, including other agencies, media, elected officials, and interest groups.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Marketing communications

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Team management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, administration, public relations, communications, marketing, or business

Tools

CRM databases

Job description

The Montana Historical Society seeks an experienced, dynamic leader for the position of Public Relations and Development Manager. This position provides strategic and hands-on leadership across three core functions: development, membership, and marketing/communications. Serving as MTHS’s chief development officer, this role personally leads major gift cultivation and fundraising strategy while overseeing membership growth and the organization’s brand, public relations, and communications program. The Public Relations and Development Manager supervises a team of four, serves on the agency’s leadership team, and reports to the Director and Chief Operations Officer.

The ideal candidate combines strategic vision with a willingness to execute hands-on work, thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, and is eager to help advance the Montana Historical Society’s growth and public profile.

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position.

Leadership Duties:

• Supervise and mentor a team of four (2 full time and 2 part-time) public relations and administrative staff, including hiring, performance management, discipline, work distribution, and staff development

• Set team goals and conduct performance reviews

• Manage development, membership, and public relations budgets

• Execute components of the agency’s strategic plan as they related to Public Relations and Development, including measuring performance and implementing strategies for success

• Support agency-wide problem-solving, initiatives, member and donor event management, and strategic opportunities as they arise

• Establish and maintain productive relationships and partnerships with external stakeholders

• Represent the agency to internal and external stakeholders, including other agencies, media, elected officials, and interest groups

Development/Fundraising Duties:

• Oversee and manage a comprehensive development program, including major gifts, fundraising campaigns, planned giving, and grants

• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects

• Set and track annual fundraising goals in coordination with MTHS leadership

• Conduct grant research, writing, and reporting

• Produce donor appeals, the annual report, and other donor communications

• Build and maintain donor recognition programs and stewardship plans

• Manage gift agreements, designations, and donor expectations

• Monitor and manage donations directed to partner community foundations, along with any funds those foundations hold on the agency’s behalf

• Oversee reconciliation of pledge, donation, and grant payment records between the customer relationship management (CRM) database and state accounting system, working closely with the finance and accounting office to maintain data accuracy across systems

• Manage the CRM database and gift-processing standards, including selection and integration of a new CRM system

Membership Program Duties:

• Set strategy and goals for member acquisition, renewal, and retention

• Oversee member benefits, tiers, pricing, and the overall member experience

• Oversee communication of membership status and trends to leadership and the Board of Trustees

• Oversee membership promotions and communications, including newsletters, website content, letters, and marketing materials

• Analyze membership data to guide program adjustments

Marketing and Public Relations Duties:

• Set overall brand strategy and visual identity for the agency, ensuring consistent messaging across all channels

• Oversee public relations, media relations, and agency communications

• Assist with the development of marketing materials promoting agency activities and programs

• Oversee the release of informational materials through newsletters, reports, press releases, website content, advertising, and social media in collaboration with the agency PIO

• Oversee agency website content and lead implementation of a new website in coordination with the Public Information Officer, IT, and agency brand managers

• Write and/or deliver talking points, speeches, and press releases in support of public relations objectives

• Oversee the agency’s comprehensive strategic communications plan for public information and outreach

• Interpret and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, and policies

• Prepare compelling presentations and testimony to support the agency’s goals and strategic plans, including materials for legislative committees, boards, or other public bodies

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, administration, public relations, communications, marketing, or business

Experience:

• Five or more years of nonprofit experience, including development and implementation of a significant, successful fundraising effort or major gift solicitation

• Five or more years of experience in marketing, communications, and public relations (direct or oversight experience)

• Experience supervising and managing a team

• Track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals

• Experience with membership programs

• Experience working with a board of directors and executive leadership

• Museum, cultural institution, or historical society experience a plus

• Other combinations of education and experience may be substituted

Knowledge of:

• Charitable giving laws and fundraising and planned-giving principles

• Fundraising best practices and ethical standards in philanthropy

• CRM databases and donor management best practices

• Contemporary marketing strategies and practices

• Analytics, SEO, and campaign performance measurement

• AI best practices

Skills in:

• Leadership and team development

• Building and managing relationships with a broad range of constituents

• Meeting coordination

• Data and budget analysis

• Customer Relationship Management Database operations

• Prioritization and organization

Ability to:

• Organize projects and manage competing priorities across development, membership, and marketing

• Distinguish between mission drift and strategic opportunities that further agency outcomes

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing

• Think strategically and provide direction to others while executing hands-on work personally

• Influence perspectives and outcomes

• Adapt to changes in budgeting, staffing, and agency procedures

• Work both independently and collaboratively

• Support events and special projects as needed

Hours of Operation:

• The Montana Heritage Center operates seven days a week and is open all holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

• As an employee of the Montana Historical Society your work hours may fall outside a regular Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule.

The following documents must be submitted to be considered for this position (be sure to mark each attachment as relevant):

• Cover Letter

• Resume

• State of Montana Application

Montana Historical Society is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/