Development Director
National Museum of Wildlife Art, Norfolk, VA, United States
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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