Description

The Hermitage Museum & Gardens seeks a dynamic and strategic Development Director to lead fundraising efforts in support of the museum’s mission, programs, and long-term sustainability. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with staff, board members, and community partners, the Development Director will design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy focused on grants, sponsorships, individual giving, and membership growth.

 This role is both strategic and relationship-driven, requiring strong writing, project management, and community engagement skills.

 Fundraising Strategy & Planning

• Work with the Executive Director and Controller to establish annual fundraising goals aligned with the organization’s fiscal needs and strategic priorities.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy to meet revenue goals through grants, sponsorships, individual giving, and membership programs.
• Identify new funding opportunities and cultivate relationships with donors, corporate partners, foundations, and public agencies.

Grants & Sponsorships

• Research, write, and submit grant proposals and reports to foundations, corporations, and government entities.
• Develop sponsorship proposals, presentations, and partnership opportunities for organizational programs and events.
• Manage relationships with current and prospective sponsors to ensure strong engagement and fulfillment of sponsorship benefits.
• Oversee and manage city funding relationships and reporting requirements.

Individual Giving & Membership

• Guide the strategy and execution of annual appeals and donor communications.
• Work with the Member and Stewardship Manager to strengthen member engagement and retention.
• Cultivate relationships with individual donors and prospects to build long-term philanthropic support.

Events & Donor Engagement

• Attend signature events and public programs to support donor and sponsor engagement.
• Serve as the primary contact for sponsors and donors during events, including coordinating VIP areas and hospitality.
• Use events and programs as opportunities to cultivate relationships and increase philanthropic support. 

Board & Organizational Collaboration

• Attend all Board of Directors meetings and prepare development reports on fundraising progress and initiatives.
• Work closely with board members to support fundraising efforts, donor engagement, and committee initiatives.
• Collaborate with staff across departments to collect data and stories that support grant reporting and fundraising efforts.

Data & Reporting

• Track and collect required data for grants and funding reports, including visitation and program participation.
• Monitor fundraising progress and maintain accurate records of donor and sponsor engagement.

Community Engagement

• Represent the Hermitage Museum & Gardens at community events, networking opportunities, and partnership meetings.
• Strengthen the museum’s presence in the regional philanthropic and cultural community.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in arts, nonprofit/business administration, communications, or a related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, or advancement.
• Demonstrated success in grant writing, sponsorship development, and donor cultivation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience developing, managing, and forecasting fundraising budgets.
• Ability to build relationships with donors, board members, and community partners.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Comfort working in a collaborative, small-team environment.
• Passion for arts, culture, and community engagement. 

Essential Physical Functions

• This position requires the ability to sit at a desk, using a computer and phone for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to navigate stairs, occasionally walk the grounds, attend events, work indoors/outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, and must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to interact with guests (front desk coverage) and closing of the museum site.

Benefits, Schedule & Expectations

• Health insurance, Retirement plan, Paid Time Off, and paid holidays.
• Some evening and weekend availability required for events and community engagement.
• Regular attendance at Hermitage programs and signature events is expected.