Director of Development

Position Summary: Reporting to the Executive Director and as a member of the Executive Management Team, which includes the Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Development oversees The San José Museum of Art's (SJMA's) fund development, membership, and legacy giving efforts to achieve related revenue goals. The director plans and implements a collaborative, comprehensive program of fundraising for SJMA that includes major gifts, membership, fundraising events and corporate relations. They lead fundraising strategies, engage directly with donors and prospects, and conceive and manage long-range strategic fundraising initiatives. The role ensures that all fundraising activities align with the museum's strategic plan, institutional values, and commitment to equity. The director embodies SJMA's mission ("The San José Museum of Art nurtures empathy and connection by engaging communities with socially relevant contemporary art") and champions and upholds its core values of Collaboration, Care, Curiosity, and Inclusion, ensuring these principles are reflected in their work and in all interactions, while also advancing its vision and equity goals. Collaborating institution-wide with colleagues, as well as with the Board, donors, volunteers, and community stakeholders, the Director identifies fundraising needs related to existing programs, actively pursues new funding sources, and serves as an ambassador and champion for the Museum's work. The director is also responsible for growing fundraising year over year by stewarding existing supporters, attracting new donors, planning future campaigns, and working with the Executive Management Team to identify and prioritize funding sources and channels. Additionally, they participate in Board development and stewardship and work closely with the Chief Financial Officer to develop contributed revenue budgets, produce contribution forecasts, and set project fundraising goals. The role supervises the Individual Gifts Officer (currently open), Development and Grants Manager, Membership Manager, and Development Associate. The Director will also collaborate closely with the Deputy Director, who has a dotted-line reporting relationship with the Events Manager and the Development and Grants Manager. The Deputy Director leads the strategy and deliverables for government and foundation funding and serves as a close collaborator and thought partner to the Director of Development on fundraising strategy. The position is based in San José, California, with staff following a hybrid schedule of at least three days per week on-site, after a minimum one-month, full-time, on-site onboarding period, which may be extended as needed. The role maintains a visible community presence and regularly participates in community networking, including evenings and weekends. Up to 10% domestic and international travel required. Duties and Responsibilities Grow fundraising year over year by stewarding existing supporters, bringing in new donors, planning future campaign(s), and working with the Executive Management Team to identify new funding sources and prioritize current channels. Strong track record of partnering with executives, trustees, and volunteers to build a vibrant and welcoming culture of philanthropy among internal and external stakeholders at all levels. Building upon the momentum of an ambitious exhibitions program, set the Museum's advancement strategy with the Oshman Executive Director and Deputy Director and develop short- and long-term strategies in the areas of annual giving, multi-year pledge campaigns, planned giving, gala sponsorship, private events, membership and endowment building. Partner closely with the Executive Director and Board leadership to launch a multi-year fundraising campaign, securing long-term commitments from Trustees and major stakeholders to fund the essential operations and strategic initiatives of a newly refreshed five-year strategic plan. Partner closely with the Board-appointed Development Committee Chair, Development and Gala Committee members, Corporate Leadership Council, Patron Council, and Legacy Giving Society Chair to cultivate new donors, while energizing and stewarding the donor base. Collaborate effectively with all stakeholders, fostering a culture of '1SJMA' through respectful and collegial communication, while building trust and strong working relationships across the institution and maintaining an inclusive approach towards all. Lead established development department cultivation events throughout the year, including the Gala Auction, held outdoors in the Circle of Palms every September, which raises significant contributed revenue; premier member dinners with a prominent guest artist speaker; exhibition openings and member receptions; and a patron travel program that includes local day trips, a national trip to an art center; and bi-annual international travel excursions. Lead Development Committee meetings with Development and Grants Manager, collaborating with Executive Director and development staff to drive fundraising efforts, ensure long-term stability, review prospects, strategize solicitations, and report on progress. Oversee membership program to meet revenue goals and increase membership support and fully integrate the program into overarching fund development strategies. Provide day-to day mentorship and supervision to a passionate team of four development and membership staff, in addition to summer intern from local university's established internship program. Create a positive workplace environment that promotes employee engagement, satisfaction, and high performance to achieve fundraising goals surpassing $5.3 million. Leverage CRM tools (Altru) to track and analyze fundraising progress, identify trends, optimize donor engagement strategies, and drive measurable results that support the museum's overall goals. Manage development department's annual budget as well as monthly and long-term financial projections, is astute on current knowledge of financial practices and regulations related to development best practices and fundraising trends, and recommends new, innovative strategies for change. Qualifications Bachelor's degree and minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible development experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Graduate/professional degree or coursework preferred. Demonstrated expertise in public speaking required. Extensive knowledge of fundraising principles and strategies that span multi-year individual giving, corporate donations and grants, membership, annual appeals, planned giving and events, and experience with capital and endowment campaigns and art gifts (preferred). Excellent management and administrative skills, including a track record of managing a development team and inspiring steady and successful performance. History of creating and/or professionalizing and building development function within an intellectually and culturally grounded not-for-profit environment. Proven success in building enduring relationships; personal experience in forming, presenting, and negotiating high-level gift arrangements, including a track record of involvement in significant donor gifts. Strong familiarity with the philanthropic and arts communities; experience working with nonprofit boards, committees, and donors. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to represent SJMA effectively and professionally to potential donors and external organizations. Strong understanding of budgets and finance, including restricted and unrestricted funds; experience with budget projections, forecasting, and tracking. Competence with Microsoft 365 products and project management software, including advanced knowledge of CRM (Blackbaud/Altru, preferred). Ability to work with discretion, diplomacy, and tact; excellent problem-solving, time- management, and multitasking skills as well as an organized and detail-oriented approach. Frequent evening and weekend work for events and donor cultivation etc required, plus up to 10% domestic and international travel. About Us: The San José Museum of Art (SJMA) is a contemporary art museum dedicated to inclusivity, new thinking, and visionary ideas. Founded in 1969 by artists and community leaders, its dynamic exhibitions, collection, and programs resonate with defining characteristics of San José and Silicon Valley-from its rich diversity to its hallmark innovative ethos. The Museum offers lifelong learning for school children and their educators, multigenerational families, creative adults, university students and faculty, and community groups. SJMA is committed to being a borderless museum, essential to creative life throughout the diverse communities of San José and beyond: https://sjmusart.org/about SJMA has been awarded re-accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM), a recognition given to just 1,106 of the nation's 33,000 museums and SJMA is one of only 78 museums accredited in California. With its mix of self-assessment, peer review, and public recognition, AAM Accreditation ensures the integrity and accessibility of museum collections, reinforces the education and public service roles of museums, and requires good governance practices and ethical behavior. SJMA has been awarded Charity Navigator Four Stars and Guidestar Platinum Transparency, noting the highest non-profit distinctions exceeding or meeting best practices and industry standards. Located near the Plaza de César Chavez in downtown San José, the Museum serves 100,000 people a year, including 30,000 school children, and is the largest provider of arts education in Santa Clara County. SJMA conducts pre-employment, post-offer background checks in accordance with state and federal law. SJMA offers a competitive benefits plan including medical, dental, vision and paid sick and vacation time. The Museum also offers a generous retirement program. As SJMA operates in a City of San Jose-owned building, applicants must comply with the City's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. SJMA is actively seeking individuals from diverse backgrounds. We deeply appreciate cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity, as well as different gender expressions and abilities. We encourage BIPOC, LGBTQ, bilingual or multilingual candidates, and individuals with disabilities to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, we at SJMA highly esteem the diversity of individuals and the multitude of ideas, perspectives, insights, and values they contribute to our workplace. Due to the high volume of interest, regrettably, we cannot respond to individual applicants. If you are selected as a potential candidate, SJMA will contact you to schedule an interview. No phone calls, please. Salary Range: $140,000-$170,000