Development Officer

Development Officer, Individual Giving

Museum overview

The Brooklyn Museum is a world-renowned cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing art, history, and heritage. Our mission is to bring people together through art and experiences that inspire celebration, compassion, courage, and the will to act. Our vision is to serve as an institution where art is a powerful force for personal transformation and social change. Celebrating our differences and learning about our diverse communities through our collections, exhibitions, and programming is the core of who we are and what we do.

We are committed to creating and cultivating a diverse community of talented, passionate people who are inspired to make the Museum an important hub of community activity and a great global destination. Our staff have the opportunity to grow their professional skills and work collaboratively with colleagues they admire and respect.

About the role

The Development Officer is an externally focused, entrepreneurial, and detail-oriented development professional who personally identifies, engages, cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of individuals who support the mission of the Brooklyn Museum with their philanthropy. Working closely with the Director of Individual and Major Gifts and the Senior Development Officer, the Development Officer will help to set the overall strategy and drive achievement of fundraising targets for the Brooklyn Museum's patron program. The Development Officer manages the Museum's patron groups, strategizing and fundraising to meet annual goals, build membership, and create dynamic annual programming to engage current and prospective members. The ideal candidate is a results-oriented self-starter with a passionate commitment to the arts and an appreciation of the goals and mission of the Brooklyn Museum.

This position supervises an Associate Development Officer and reports to the Director of Individual Giving and Major Gifts.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a portfolio of 250+ high-net-worth individuals and formulate customized moves-management strategies for each individual
• Solicit and close gifts typically ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 from current donors and prospects through a variety of avenues, including in-person solicitations, written appeals, engagement of volunteer solicitors, and supporting senior Museum leaders
• Oversee the Brooklyn Museum's patron groups: the Director's Circle, Brooklyn Families, Young Leadership Council, Council for Feminist Art, Council for African American Art, and Contemporary Art Committee
  • Set and execute strategy for the patron program with the goal of growing renewable annual revenue and meeting annual fundraising goals
  • Collaborate with Special Events to conceive and execute an annual calendar of dynamic special events for donors and prospects
  • Engage the volunteer Chairs of each patron group and other current donors in peer prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation
  • Provide concierge-style services for patron group members
• Partner with Membership and prospect research to help build a pipeline of donors in support of our patron group, annual fund, and individual giving goals
• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of the Museum's strategic plan, mission, and vision, as well as the permanent collections, special exhibitions, and education and public programs, in order to effectively articulate the Museum's priorities and fundraising objectives to donors and prospects
• Track progress toward quarterly and annual fundraising goals; provide weekly updates to Director of Individual Giving and Major Gifts
• Document all activity in Tessitura, including actions, proposals, and meeting notes
• Manage and mentor an Associate Development Officer, who supports all aspects of patron program management

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of three years' experience in fundraising, with patron program or frontline fundraising experience preferred
• Demonstrated track record in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts
• Superb time management; ability to handle multiple projects, adhere to deadlines, and work independently or as part of a team
• Excellent presentation, writing, and interpersonal skills
• Some background in contemporary and/or historic art in order to facilitate sophisticated conversations with donors and prospects
• Ability to write clearly and persuasively
• Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills
• Available to work evenings and weekends as needed for events

Preferred qualifications

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Tessitura
• Interest in mentoring team members
• Management experience

Department: Development / Individual Giving

Reports to: Director of Individual Giving and Major Gifts

Position type: Full-time

Salary: $82,742.40

Union status: Union - UAW Local 2110

FLSA status: Exempt

Schedule: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm; additional night and weekend hours are required during key events.

If you have questions about our online application system, get in touch with us at job.applicationquestions@brooklynmuseum.org.