Director of Development and Membership

Museum of the Rockies (MOR) seeks a creative and experienced fundraiser to be its next Director of Development & Membership. Leading with passion, compassion, and strategic vision, the Director manages the department’s programs and its full-time staff of four, sets financial goals, is responsible for large donor cultivation, and directs or supports campaigns and appeals. The Director is a critical member of the museum’s leadership team and will need to bring to the position an in-depth understanding of fundraising.

This is an opportunity to join a beloved community institution that has witnessed in recent years unprecedented growth in visitation and support. As MOR completes a 20-year master plan, there is even more possibility for programmatic and physical transformation. On the horizon is a major campaign that will position the museum to better engage its various communities and elevate its mission to “invite all people to discover natural science and cultural history” and to “create a community resource that brings the world to Montana and shares the Northern Rockies with the world.”

The Director will be a skilled communicator and team-player who works for and with the Executive Director to strategize, develop goals, implement initiatives, and track and assess key performance indicators (KPIs). Together they will help reimagine the development and membership program at MOR. The Director will manage and work alongside of a team of dedicated professionals – guiding, setting goals, and collaborating with them on development and membership projects.

Brief Museum Background:
Museum of the Rockies (MOR) is Montana’s most visited museum. In 2023, MOR served approximately 250,000 visitors and program participants. MOR is world-renowned for its extensive paleontology program and collection (over 400,000 specimens) that has helped to reshape our understanding of ancient life on earth. In addition to this, the museum’s 300,000 cultural artifacts preserve and share the rich diversity of human history in the Northern Rockies.

The museum is a college-level division of Montana State University, an independent nonprofit organization, a Smithsonian Affiliate, an accredited AAM museum, and a repository for state and federal fossils. Located on a 34-acre museum site, it includes a 120,000-square-foot-facility, the state-of-the-art 110 seat Taylor Planetarium, the 220 seat Hager Auditorium, Martin Children’s Discovery Center, and Living History Farm, along with an off-site 553-acre paleontology preserve.

MOR is located in Bozeman, MT, one of the country’s fastest growing and prosperous communities. Nestled into the Rocky Mountains, the community offers bountiful outdoor recreation activities along with a vibrant culture of good food, art, and music.

• Implement a comprehensive development plan that effectively builds support and meets institutional goals through individuals, businesses, foundations, state, and federal outlets; including annual appeals, capital campaigns, sponsorships, fundraising events, planned gifts, and database management and reporting.
• Effectively and productively work with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and staff in the cultivation and stewardship of major donors and prospects with leadership gift potential.
• With staff, maintain a grants calendar and tracking/reporting system that identifies sources, deadlines, contacts, and other pertinent information so that the museum can properly plan for and leverage these resources.

• Work with the department’s Associate Director to oversee and grow a large and complex membership program; ensuring that membership in the museum meets annual goals, fulfills member benefits, and engages a broad segment of the museum’s local, state, and national community.
• Oversee the membership calendar of events such as various members only-events, exhibit openings, and the Annual Museum Members Meeting to strengthen participation, expand households, and foster a logical path of members transitioning to donors.
• Support the Executive Director in communicating with and engaging members.

• Supervise the Development and Membership team by mentoring, monitoring, and setting clear direction that meets budgetary and strategic needs. As part of this, conduct regular evaluations on the department’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.
• Effectively and transparently communicate with the Executive Director and varied stakeholders to report on key performance indicators, foster trust and engagement, and to organize and set a successful direction.
• Collaborate closely with staff in administrative and programmatic areas to help identify and support short- and long-range financial opportunities and needs.

• Serve as a collegial and participatory member of the organization’s executive team; fostering an environment of cohesiveness and collaboration across all museum departments.
• Engage in strategic decision-making, short/long-term strategic planning, and implementation.
Reflect positive professionalism and a warm, can-do spirit that attracts people to the museum and demonstrates a commitment to customer service at all levels.

• Bachelor’s Degree

• Five years of experience in increasingly responsible development positions with evidence of helping to build strong fundraising programs and familiarity with nonprofit organizations.

Experience with areas of development, including major and planned giving, digital/direct mail, foundation and corporate fundraising, grant writing, event planning, prospect research, and stewardship.

• A background in fundraising and membership programs for museums or similar educational institutions.

• Involvement in developing and helping to successfully run a capital campaign with multiple donors, including a silent phase and public phase.

• Demonstrated track record of success building and growing a multi-faceted fundraising program to include identifying, cultivating and helping to solicit individual, foundation, and corporate donors.

• A track record of working effectively with a Board of Trustees — building strong relationships, inspiring them to action, providing detailed and effective support for fundraising activities and making the experience both satisfying and fun.

Experience managing budgets of over $500,000.

Candidates: Prior to applying, candidates should carefully review the required qualifications. An up to 3-page cover letter should specifically address how the candidate’s experiences and skills fit within the three “Required Duties and Responsibilities” and the five “Preferred Qualifications”.

Benefits: MOR pays a competitive salary with an exceptional benefits package (More information here).

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Yes

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Upon completion of a successful search.

Screening of applications will begin on January 3, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.