American Museum of Natural History

Director, Individual Giving

NEW YORK, NYPosted 30+ days ago

Job summary

  • Job post source

    This job is directly from American Museum of Natural History

  • Job overview

    The Director of Individual Giving leads the museum's mid- and major-level fundraising efforts to attract and retain donors, driving significant financial support for the institution.

  • Responsibilities and impact

    The role involves designing and executing individual giving strategies, managing and mentoring a fundraising team, developing donor portfolios, collaborating across departments, and maintaining accurate fundraising records.

  • Compensation and benefits

    The salary range is $155,000 to $165,000 annually with an extensive benefits package tailored to a diverse community, with pay based on experience and qualifications.

  • Experience and skills

    Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field, 10 years of fundraising experience including 4 years of frontline major gift solicitation, 4 years of management experience, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and fundraising databases like Raiser's Edge.

  • Career development

    The position offers opportunities for professional growth through team leadership, mentorship, and expanding fundraising responsibilities within a prestigious institution.

  • Work environment and culture

    The museum promotes a culture of philanthropy, collaboration across departments, and a positive, productive work environment.

  • Company information

    The American Museum of Natural History is a leading scientific and cultural institution focused on research, education, and exhibitions about human cultures and the natural world.

  • Team overview

    The candidate will manage a team of frontline fundraisers and work closely with museum leadership, scientists, educators, and other advancement staff.

  • Job location and travel

    The job is based at the museum campus with some physical demands including stationary periods and occasional lifting.

  • Unique job features

    The role includes unique opportunities to engage with museum advisory councils, develop customized donor strategies, and contribute to a major cultural institution's fundraising success.

Company overview

The American Museum of Natural History, located in New York City, is one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural institutions. It is renowned for its extensive collections and exhibitions related to natural history, including anthropology, paleontology, and biodiversity. The museum generates revenue through ticket sales, memberships, donations, and grants, supporting its mission of scientific research and education. Established in 1869, it has a rich history of groundbreaking discoveries and public engagement, making it a significant contributor to global scientific knowledge and education.

How to land this job

  • Position your resume to emphasize your extensive experience in fundraising, particularly your success in soliciting and closing major gifts, and your ability to meet ambitious fundraising goals aligned with the American Museum of Natural History's mission.

  • Highlight your leadership and management skills, showcasing your experience leading teams, mentoring staff, and creating positive work environments, as these are critical for managing the Individual Giving team.

  • Showcase your proficiency with fundraising databases like Raiser’s Edge and Microsoft Office Suite, along with your strategic skills in donor engagement, portfolio management, and developing customized cultivation plans.

  • Apply through multiple channels including the American Museum of Natural History's official careers page and LinkedIn to maximize your application visibility and opportunities.

  • Connect on LinkedIn with current staff in the Advancement department or related divisions at the museum. Use ice breakers like commenting on recent fundraising initiatives, expressing admiration for the museum’s scientific and cultural impact, or asking thoughtful questions about their donor engagement strategies.

  • Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'major gift solicitation,' 'fundraising strategy,' 'team leadership,' 'donor stewardship,' 'Raiser’s Edge,' and 'portfolio management' to ensure your resume passes initial screenings.

  • Leverage Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate tailoring your resume, identify the best application channels, find relevant LinkedIn contacts, and streamline your job search efforts so you can focus on preparing for interviews and networking.

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