Development Associate

Position Summary:

The Development Associate – Events and Volunteers is a highly energetic, organized, and creative professional who provides support in planning and executing impactful events and developing a new cadre of volunteers. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Development Associate works to 1) plan successful and effective events that enhance the museum’s programs and initiatives, 2) maximize opportunities for museum rentals from community members, and 3) collaborate with colleagues across the museum to re-start and support a volunteer program that will leverage a broad range of operations. 

With a commitment to creativity, well-executed logistics, and efficiency, they will plan and implement exhibition openings, cultivation and membership events, logistics surrounding specific events including our gala, and collaborate with the Membership and Development Manager and Development Associate – Data, Analysis, and Donor Relations on gala events, Crane Society programming, as well as all fundraising and patron activities. In addition, they will manage the marketing and support of an increasingly important rental program, including our new 1st floor public spaces for community and individual events, as well as social and business gatherings. This rental program will be a source of new connectivity between the museum and community, as well as enhancing revenues to support programming, exhibitions, and all aspects of museum operations. Finally, the Development Associate will collaborate with colleagues to develop a volunteer program that provides meaningful experiences for the volunteers and helps to support museum programs, and includes thoughtful and successfully executed volunteer identification, recruitment, support, training, and management. 

Responsibilities:

Collaboration is very important in this role as the Development Associate works closely with Development colleagues as well as those throughout the museum 

Manages an aggressive calendar of events throughout the year 

(50% of time) 

• Keeps to a specific and thoughtful calendar and meets deadlines
• Functions as the main point of contact for internal and high-profile external clients
• Provides administrative oversight to the development team and other departments in the areas of special event creation, production, coordination, implementation, and follow-up for the following programs: reopening events and museum-wide celebrations, exhibition openings, fundraising and cultivation events, as well as other specific events. 
• Works as part of a team with the Membership and Development Manager and Development Associate on Crane Society support, Annual Gala, and other fundraising/cultivation programs
• Shares a creative approach to events to ensure that the events meet their individual goals, messaging is on target, and all events superbly reflect the museum’s mission 
• Brings a strong level of organization and support to all event-related projects 
• Focuses on demonstrating an ability to anticipate challenges and adjust schedules, initiatives accordingly 

Handles the logistics of all rental space within the museum 

(25% of time) 

• Functions as a main point of contact for high-level internal and external clients
• Makes connections and proactively responds to the questions of potential renters
• Keeps the master calendar of rental spaces and availability 
• Provides information about preferred vendors and/or existing relationships 
• Is on site as necessary 
• Creates and shares messaging about various spaces and opportunities 
• Develops relationships with community members and professionals who can assist in directing potential renters to Berkshire Museum 
• Provides data on request to inform senior leadership decision-making

Finally, collaborates with museum colleagues to create an effective, rewarding, and active volunteer program 

(25% of time)

• Partners with Public Programs and Guest Services on program organization 
• Gathers volunteer needs within the museum and asks staff to write outlines of volunteer responsibilities and expectations 
• Develops volunteer support materials including handbook 
• Interviews potential volunteers and provides regularly-scheduled orientation sessions
• Plans stewardship and communication opportunities for volunteers and looks for synergy with the membership program
• Organizes annual volunteer recognition event 
• Looks for opportunities to recruit volunteers among our donor and membership ranks
• Creates volunteer schedules to meet museum needs 
• Develops relationships with volunteers to help ensure they have positive experiences 

Other duties as assigned by the Chief Development Officer 

Qualifications and Competencies: 

Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred; High school diploma or equivalent required

Experience: 1+ years of directly related or applicable experience

Prior paid/volunteer work in events management and logistics, arts, recruiting and supporting volunteers, as well as other experience that shares transferable skills with this position. Willingness to personally develop productive and professional relationships with prospective and current volunteers.

• Strong interpersonal and volunteer management skills
• Excellent public speaking, writing, time management, judgment and decision making, and strong computer skills
• Works well with varied constituents, including museum visitors, donors, trustees, volunteers, senior leadership, and museum staff
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends, and easily accept other duties and tasks as assigned
• Energetic, positive, dependable, and able to work collaboratively. Must handle sensitive communications with confidentiality.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Excel and Word, familiarity with fundraising databases, familiarity with Altru a plus
• Ability to anticipate issues and to garner resources in finding appropriate solutions
• Respects requirements regarding working in a museum environment and follows all guidelines required for staff regarding access, security guidelines and appropriate use of spaces 
• Ability to lift 20 pounds

Additional preferred qualifications: 

Bilingual in Spanish and English

Up-to-date first aid and CPR certification

We believe diversity strengthens our community. We believe that recruiting, supporting and retaining a diverse staff is essential to providing an excellent and representative educational experience for our visitors. We support equity through representative hiring practices and welcome applications from members of communities that have historically not been represented in museum positions.

The person must be committed to Berkshire Museum’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and access mission; dedicated to integrating accountability across all efforts to support and sustain an anti-racist, racially equitable organization; demonstrate a passion for advancing organizational DEIA objectives and supporting others to approach all activities with an equity lens.

Compensation, Benefits and Perks

This position’s pay range is $40,000 - $52,000 per year; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. This position offers health insurance, dental and vision plans, paid time off, employer contribution to 403(b) and life insurance. The position includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), museum membership and 11 paid holidays per year (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).

How to apply

Please send a resume, cover letter and three professional references to employment@berkshiremuseum.org