Job Description

The Director of Communications and Development is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with influential individuals and organizations for the benefit of the museum. The successful candidate will shape public awareness of SSM in order for it to thrive and achieve financial sustainability; develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for communications and outreach to engage existing and new audiences to enjoy services and expand financial support for the museum; and play a central role in building the development and communications infrastructure, hiring and overseeing the work of one fulltime staff member (Assistant, Communications and Development) and collaborating with the Director of Special Events to plan donor cultivation events.

Main Functions

• Oversee all fundraising efforts, including establishing and implementing strategic plans for short and long term fundraising, with the goal of increasing support from new, existing, and lapsed donors, foundations, and corporations;
• Refine and fully implement a major gifts program, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of donors and prospects, partnering with executive director and Board members;
• Manage and supervise all fundraising, including the annual appeal, membership solicitations, online giving, and donor stewardship;
• Plan and oversee the implementation of a strong external communications strategy.
• Shape and advance the museum’s messaging and branding for local, regional, and national audiences, including visitors, members, donors and foundations
• Ensure that key target audiences are being engaged and that the museum’s story is disseminated through a variety of creative methods, including new media, social networking, video, and news media

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of relevant, professional work experience
• Created and implemented a comprehensive fundraising strategy (annual fund, online giving, major gifts, planned giving, and corporate/foundation) for a nonprofit with an annual budget of $500,000-$2 million
• Recruited, trained, and supported volunteers and staff members
• Managed a departmental budget and made strategic investment decisions
• Achieved steady fundraising growth over several years
• Preferred: Managed fundraising campaigns for capital projects or endowed programs
• Demonstrated ability in developing marketing and communications strategies across a wide range of platforms and audiences that have led to significant brand/cause visibility

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Ability to effectively engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, using strong interpersonal skills, persuasive presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, with internal and external stakeholders
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite. Familiarity with relational databases and ability to learn new software quickly.

Visit https://www.sandyspringmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Director-Communications-and-Development.pdf for more information.