Director, Membership

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County was the first museum in L.A. to open its doors 111 years ago and is poised for an exciting new era as it plans for the future. Having recently completed a new strategic framework, the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County—including NHMLA at Exposition Park, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in mid-Wilshire, and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall—is looking forward to new building projects and campaigns, exhibitions, community outreach, and innovative audience engagement. 

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County values and endeavors to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within its organization and communities. Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC), neurodiverse, gender, a person with a disability, a veteran, and/or a part of the LGBTQAI community are welcome and encouraged to apply. 

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is seeking a Director, Membership for our Advancement department.  The Director, Membership works closely with the Associate Vice President, Philanthropy to develop and implement an annual Membership marketing plan to help meet projected revenue goals through marketing, solicitations, acquisition and upgrade campaigns for the membership program and is responsible for overseeing the execution and coordination of all aspects of the program at the Natural History Museum. It is an exciting time as we embark on new journeys of becoming a museum of, for, and with L.A.

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to: 

• Develops and manages a comprehensive strategic plan for Membership and Annual Fund to meet or exceed revenue goals

• Under the direction of the AVP of Philanthropy, manages all aspects of the Member acquisition, renewal, upgrade, events, communication, recognition, acknowledgments, site visits or donor tours, special concierge requests, and donor stewardship in order to meet the strategic objectives of the Advancement Department

• Directs acquisition and upgrades for Members via solicitation campaigns that work in tandem with the overall membership and major gifts strategies. Identifies, cultivates and solicits membership prospects to join, and secures renewals and upgrades on a timely and consistent renewal cycle.

• Supervises the membership team in the development of strategies and events to build a robust membership program by securing membership renewals, acquiring new members, cultivating and stewarding existing members and donors for additional gifts, and ensuring a 12- ­month calendar of events/programs.

• Maintains a portfolio of over 100 members/prospects, and works closely with the research staff in order to identify capacity of giving, increase giving from current fellows and other donors, and fill the donor pipeline.

• Develops annual budgets and maintains accurate files and reports including revenue and expenditures to ensure that the Membership program operates within budget.

• Properly documents all interactions with donors or prospects in a manner that is easily accessible by other Advancement staff members and within the agreed upon database or means of storage. 

• Coordinates and ensures appropriate donor stewardship and annual donor program recognition on donor wall, annual listing, etc.

• Develops strategy for consistent and timely communication to Members/Annual Fund donors and prospects (including letters, phone calls, emails, and newsletters) and oversees  Implementation of communication tools that are consistent with the department's strategic goals 

This position has the following requirements:    

• Communication: Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication.

• Presentation Skills: Ability to effectively present information to and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

• Computer Skills: Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint, G-Suite products

• Database Management: Knowledge and understanding of donor databases.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, ideally in a related field.

• 3 to 5 years of membership and annual giving, or major gift fundraising experience.

• Experience working directly with donors, boards, or trustees in a non­profit setting.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is especially interested in candidates whose background and experience have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to engagement and inclusion at culturally diverse audiences in museums and in sciences.

 The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is seeking applicants who have demonstrated experience and commitment working with a diverse community. Salary range for this position is $103,928 - $111,750 based on experience plus excellent benefits. NHMLAC, in good faith, believes that this posted rate of compensation is the accurate range for this role at this location at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future. Actual compensation within that range will be dependent upon the individual’s relevant skills, experience, qualifications, and applicable laws. This is a full time regular, exempt position.

A cover letter, current resume, and list of 3-4 references are required for all applicants. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Interested candidates please visit www.nhmlac.org/careers-our-museums  and click the link of the position for which you are interested or go directly to the online application.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.