Manager of Major Gifts and Special Projects

ABOUT THE WALTERS ART MUSEUM

The Walters Art Museum is among America’s most distinctive museums, forging connections between people and art from cultures around the world and spanning seven millennia. Located in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, the Walters is free for all. The museum’s campus includes five historic buildings and 36,000 art objects.

Today, the Walters serves Baltimore and Maryland by embracing its role as educators and storytellers, using the collection as a vehicle of knowledge and cultural expression to support learning, dialogue, and community engagement. The museum is committed to public education, offering essential programs that help people to connect art to their lives. The Walters’ Visitor Promise aligns staff and volunteers across the museum to preserve and share the works in our care for future generations, partner with communities, and create welcoming, accessible experiences for visitors. The museum offers challenging and creative work opportunities by promoting collaboration, teamwork, and a culture that celebrates the diversity and inclusion of all. In December 2020, the museum finalized a set of multiyear diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) goals in alignment with the museum’s Strategic Plan and grounded in the following commitments: expand the histories the museum examines and shares; partner with our communities; and center equity, inclusion, and accountability in our culture and decision-making.

Overview of Role

The Manager of Major Gifts and Special Projects will bring demonstrated expertise in securing major and principal gifts for operating and restricted support. This position supports the Development Department of the Walters Art Museum by assisting with the planning and implementation of the museum’s long- and short-term fundraising efforts securing major and principal gifts for operating and restricted support. The successful candidate will assist with the planning and implementation of the museum’s long- and short-term fundraising efforts, including [KZ1] by engaging in strategic discussions with the Director of Development and other management leaders about the feasibility and methods of raising funds for labor costs, as well as special initiatives like exhibitions, installation, and museum programs. The position will assist other management officials in the formulation of collective bargaining proposals based upon their knowledge of planned and recent fundraising efforts.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Donor Cultivation and Solicitation

• Develop and implement an annual work plan with measurable objectives and courses of action to raise operating, exhibition, and special project support.
• Establish and build strong relationships by proactively initiating prospect and donor visits in collaboration with other museum staff and Board.
• Under the direction of the Director of Development, develop appropriate fundraising budgets and revenue projections for operational support, restricted support, and future endowment and capital campaigns.
• Strategize with the Director of Development on communications with donors regarding potential changes to labor-related costs, including costs related to collective bargaining.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit gifts of $10,000 or more. Formulate and effectuate policies and strategies to increase such gifts.
• Identify and cultivate new leads for potential five- and six-figure gifts, including planned gifts and gifts of art, working with other development staff and through prospect research. Formulate and effectuate policies and strategies to increase such gifts.
• Oversee stewardship and expansion of the Walters Legacy Society through specific events, experiences, and communication strategies.
• Collaborate with Manager of Donor Relations & Development Operations on the cultivation and stewardship of high-level annual donors.
• Assist the Director of Development with the stewardship and solicitation of annual and principal gifts from the Board of Trustees.
• Document contacts, communications, visits, and proposals in Altru and other appropriate donor files.
• All other duties assigned.

Events and Donor Stewardship

• Work with the Manager of Special Events & Stewardship to plan and execute cultivation events for major donors.
• Support and attend donor events and museum programs as appropriate.
• Attend offsite events to elevate your profile as a Walters representative and strategically network in the (donor) community
• Manage process for annual endowment and donor stewardship reports.
• Maintain communications with colleagues in program and exhibit areas of the Walters, ensuring effective collaboration and synergy in achieving the museum’s key fundraising goals and objectives.
• Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of the major projects and key donors at the Walters. Work closely with development colleagues to design and implement donor engagement, recognition, and stewardship strategies based on museum priorities.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Three to five years of demonstrated successful experience in major gift nonprofit fundraising. Experience with planned gifts and campaigns a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as ability to articulate the museum’s mission and vision to an array of constituents.
• Computer proficiency required; knowledge of computer-based development management tools such as Raiser’s Edge/ Altru preferred.
• Strong human relations, organizational, analytical, and planning skills.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with board-level volunteers, donors and prospects, and their legal and financial advisers.
• Must have demonstrated organizational skills and be able to handle multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously without losing productivity or attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with demonstrated interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communications skills.
• Confidentiality and discretion is essential
• Knowledge and experience working with Baltimore-region donors, preferred.

Schedule: Regular work week is Monday to Friday. Must be able to work earlier mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed. Ability to travel locally and/or regionally.

Hiring Range: $60,000 to $70,000

Non-Unit Position

Apply by visiting the Walters website; include your resume and cover letter. https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=D683F6C4BF4F3...

The Walters Art Museum provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, prescription, vision, subsidized transportation and parking, museum membership, short-term disability, FSA (flexible spending account), 457b retirement, and free professional financial management counseling.

All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The museum does not sponsor work visas.