Overview:    

The Director of Development and Community Relations is a senior leader in the organization responsible for advancing the museum’s mission by building strong relationships with donors, sponsors, volunteers, and the broader community. This role develops and implements philanthropic strategies, manages sponsorship programs, and oversees volunteer recruitment, training, and engagement. The Director works closely with the Executive Director and other staff to identify opportunities for community partnerships, enhance visibility, and ensure meaningful, mission-aligned interactions with supporters. The DoDCR will report directly to the Executive Director and will be the designated lead when both Executive Director and Director of Experience are unavailable. 

Qualifications:    

General

- Experience developing and managing philanthropic fundraising programs, sponsorships, or community partnerships

- Background working in nonprofit development, community engagement, or related fields

- Experience cultivating and stewarding donor and sponsor relationships

- Experience coordinating or managing volunteer programs

- Demonstrated success supporting fundraising initiatives in a growing organization

- Familiarity with donor databases or CRM systems

- Familiarity with standard office suite, budgeting, and scheduling software 

Education

- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, public administration, or a related field preferred

- Equivalent professional experience in fundraising, nonprofit development, or community engagement may be considered in place of a degree

Desired but not required

- Familiarity with corporate sponsorship structures and benefits fulfillment

- Experience designing or managing volunteer programs in a nonprofit or museum setting

- Experience with grant writing and reporting for foundations or government funders 

Job Responsibilities:    

Core Competencies

- Philanthropic & Sponsorship Leadership

- Volunteer & Community Engagement Expertise

- Strategic & Operational Thinking

- Team Leadership & Collaboration

- Innovation & Relationship Building

- Donor and Community-Centered Focus 

General

- Build and maintain the museum’s development systems, including processes for fundraising, sponsorships, and volunteer coordination.

- Manage the Development Department and Community Relations budget and financial tracking related to philanthropic initiatives.

- Serve as the primary development leader and key advisor to the Executive Director on all fundraising, sponsorship, and volunteer matters.

Donor Relations

- Cultivate and maintain relationships with individual donors, foundations, and community supporters.

- Develop strategies for donor engagement, recognition, and stewardship that advance the museum’s mission and long-term sustainability.

- Create systems to track donor interactions, contributions, and acknowledgments, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.

Corporate Sponsorships

- Identify, solicit, and manage corporate sponsorships and partnerships to support museum programs, exhibits, and special events.

- Develop and implement systems for fulfilling sponsorship benefits and maintaining professional relationships with corporate partners.

- Align sponsorship opportunities with strategic goals and audience impact in collaboration with museum leadership.

Volunteer Coordination

- Build the museum’s volunteer program from the ground up, including recruitment, onboarding, training, and support.

- Develop systems for scheduling, tracking, and recognizing volunteer contributions.

- Integrate volunteers into programs, events, and daily operations in collaboration with museum staff.