Senior Director of Development

Job Title:  Senior Director of Development

Department:  Development

Reports To:  Deputy Director

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Employment Status:  Full-Time

Compensation Range:  $145,000 - $175,000

Deadline to Apply:  April 25, 2025 at 5:00pm EDT

Since our founding in 1901, the Toledo Museum of Art has earned a global reputation for the quality of our collection, our innovative and extensive education programs, and our architecturally significant campus. Thanks to the benevolence of its founders, as well as the continued support of its community, TMA remains a privately endowed, non-profit institution and opens its collection to the public, free of charge.

More than 25,000 artworks are housed in architecturally significant buildings on a 37-acre campus. Innovative and extensive education programs offer a variety of multi-sensory experiences for every visitor.

At the Toledo Museum of Art, we are dedicated to fulfilling our mission and our commitment to cultivating an organizational culture where every individual feels valued, inspired, respected, and empowered. We believe fostering such a culture requires everyone to work daily at positively enhancing the experience of our team members. We hope all interested in employment here will strive to elevate our mission and our culture!

SUMMARY

The Toledo Museum of Art seeks a dynamic and experienced professional and entrepreneurial leader to build a development platform that aligns with the ambition of the leadership team to be a model museum for its industry. As a leader in this progressive organization, the ideal candidate should possess a passion for art, a commitment to equity, and desire to contribute to a workplace culture that prides itself on becoming an employer of choice. Further, the ideal candidate will be a strategic and critical thinker with a proven track record in fundraising, donor relations, and development strategy. Reporting to the Deputy Director, and a matrix-relationship to the Director/CEO, the Senior Director of Development is accountable for the oversight, planning, and implementation of a comprehensive and strategic fundraising program that secures significant financial resources from foundations, corporations, and individuals to sustainably support the Museum.

This position helps to shape the strategy for all major membership and gift functions, which includes major gift identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, planned-giving, principal gift solicitation, donor prospecting and research, grant strategies, and a comprehensive multi-year fundraising capital campaign “Building on Brilliance” to reinstall the collection, catalyze the community, and connect to the world. The Senior Director of Development has responsibility for a multi-disciplinary development team and motivates and coordinates team efforts. This position guides the Deputy Director, Director/CEO, and Board in their fundraising work, while engaging in their own portfolio management of a select group of prospects. This role is accountable for the organization’s long-range strategic priorities, communicating the Museum’s vision to others, and advancing the Museum’s goals, including cultivating national and international philanthropy achievements.

TMA’S “BUILDING ON BRILLIANCE” CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE 2027 REINSTALLATION

The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) was founded in 1901, and in the intervening 125 years, the museum has grown to a 37-acre campus with magnificent buildings—two by Pritzker Prize–winning architects—housing a collection whose work-for-work quality and breadth is unsurpassed.

What truly makes TMA distinctive, however, is that the focus on quality has been matched by an equal commitment to community. Whether measured by per capita visitation or schoolchildren engagement, no museum can claim the same consistency of community support as TMA.

Quality and community are the strands that make up TMA’s DNA, but the physical form they take in the current galleries is four decades old. Roger Mandle (TMA’s fifth director, 1977–88) was the last to reimagine the galleries—before him it was Otto Wittman and before that, Blakemore Godwin. It is time to build on this history of reinvention and again update the TMA’s architectural and curatorial commitments to quality and community, making them a model for museums around the world.

BUILDING ON BRILLIANCE [TOLEDO’S MOMENTUM]

TMA is not a reflection of the community’s past success; it is a symbol of the community’s future potential. The business and civic success that resulted in the creation and growth of the museum is a reminder that anything is possible in Toledo, Ohio.

Indeed, this is a time of great momentum in the Toledo community. Billions of dollars have been invested in the downtown, which is activated like never before. The Metroparks have transformed neighborhoods and are revitalizing the riverfront. The city was named the real estate market most likely to appreciate in 2024. Toledo has momentum.

Momentum, though, is not escape velocity. What will it take to ensure that this time, Toledo’s trajectory inflects, and the city moves from renewal to renaissance? What project can engender the confidence to see Toledo not as a nice place to live but the best place to live? The community needs a project that doesn’t just upgrade a facility but that transforms the civic imagination.

The Toledo Museum of Art’s reinstallation is that project. (See additional information on TMA’s “Building on Brilliance” Campaign Collateral).

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Senior Director of Development will be responsible for the following:

1. Fundraising Strategy:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to meet annual revenue goals, ensuring alignment with the museum’s mission and vision.
• Identify and pursue diverse funding sources, including individuals, corporations, foundations, and government grants.
• Lead TMA’s multi-year reinstallation campaign “Building on Brilliance” and deliver outcomes and impact.

1. Strategic Leadership & Management:

• Assess the current operations of the development department and develop a plan to systematically strengthen the organization to meet future priorities through structure, process, technology, and tools.
• Define the development team structure, roles, and responsibilities. Select, hire, advance, and mentor team members.
• Provide leadership to multi-disciplinary collaborative team(s) by establishing clear direction and benchmarks, setting stretch goals and objectives, as well as providing mentoring and professional development opportunities.

1. Donor Relations & Stewardship:

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors, ensuring strong engagement and recognition in support for the museum’s initiatives.
• Implement effective stewardship practices to acknowledge and recognize donors, fostering a sense of trust, connection, and loyalty.
• Expand member and donor base by identifying and engaging next-generation members, donors, and leaders.
• Create robust membership and annual giving programs to engage membership.

1. Major Gifts & Campaigns:

• Lead major gift initiatives and the capital campaign, work closely with the executive team and Board members to secure significant contributions.
• Develop compelling case statements and fundraising materials/collateral to support major gift solicitations.
• Arrange cultivation and solicitation visits with donors, prospects, and grant-makers including management of the Georgia Welles Apollo Society, Ambassadors and TMA Art Travel programs.

1. Grant Writing:

• Oversee the development and submission of grant proposals to foundations and government agencies, ensuring compliance with guidelines and deadlines.
• Oversee grant reporting requirements and maintain positive relationships with grantors.

1. Collaboration & Communication:

• Work extensively with the Deputy Director, CEO/Director, leadership team, and Board to realize the Museum’s membership, philanthropic, grant strategy and campaign objectives, embracing the mission of the Museum.
• Oversee professional written proposals and grants, gift agreements, and other materials needed to define, secure, and document major gifts.
• Serve as a member of the Museum’s leadership team and participate in Museum Board functions, as appropriate.
• Work with the Deputy Director and CEO/Director to manage the Board of Directors Development Committee Terms and Nominations; act as liaison with the Museum Board’s Development Committee and participate in Board Committee meetings regarding fundraising strategies.

Other duties as assigned or required.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Works closely with CEO/Director, Deputy Director, TMA Board of Directors Development Committee, Leadership Team as well as the TMA Ambassadors.
• Significant collaboration with TMA leadership team and individuals at all levels of the organization to promote philanthropic programming.
• Leads multi-disciplinary team of nine development professionals, with frequent interactions with other museum departments.
• Meet extensively and regularly with potential donors, community partners, and government representatives.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required; master’s degree and/or CFRE certification or nonprofit management preferred.
• Extensive (at least 10 years’) experience in fundraising with deep knowledge of fundraising principles that span membership, capital, and endowment campaigns as well as grants, annual giving, planned-giving and gifts of art, preferably in a large institutional setting.
• 5+ years management experience in overseeing the philanthropy/development function within a complex organization including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team.
• Prior success in the development and negotiation of high-level gifts and a track record of successful solicitation of six and seven-figure individual and institutional gifts (foundations, corporations, and government).
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in membership, grants, major gifts and planned giving, solicitation, and campaigns. Balances long-term strategic thinking with the ability to implement and obtain results.
• History of using data, financial indicators, and analysis to evaluate strategic options.
• Knowledge of Altru, Raiser’s Edge and/or other CRM development tracking software.
• Familiarity with trends in the civic and philanthropic marketplace, including catalytic fundraising.
• Exceptional leader and listener, demonstrating tact, discretion and confidentiality.
• Keeps commitments, inspires trust, and upholds Museum Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Impeccable written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of the museum or cultural heritage institution sector a plus.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The Senior Director of Development will possess the following attributes and competencies:

1. Expertise in Cultivation & Relationship Building:

The Senior Director of Development will be a results-driven and experienced leader in the field of philanthropy / development with a measurable track record of success. This leader will be energized by the prospect of leading the development department and devising and implementing processes and best practices. It is paramount for this candidate to have a broad and deep knowledge of philanthropy and development with a proven track record of leading the development function within a museum or other complex not-for-profit organization, securing significant gifts, and evidence of exceptional cultivation and stewardship. This leader will grow and enhance the organization’s pipeline to support donor prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and relationship management. Through strong written and presentation skills, this leader will be a natural partner to the Museum’s internal and external communities and constituencies. The successful candidate will have a strong data and analysis orientation and a proven ability to use metrics to drive development decisions and achieve strategic objectives. The Senior Director of Development will identify new prospects, trends, and strategies to meet fundraising objectives.

1. A Strategic & Influential Leader:

With a proven record of converting strategy into effective execution, the Senior Director of Development will possess the ability to set priorities decisively, delegate responsibilities, ensure accountability, and allocate resources to deliver results. This leader will be emotionally and contextually intelligent, and an agile individual who functions well and follows through in a complex environment. This individual will partner with the Director/CEO and act as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors Development Committee on all aspects of development. The Senior Director of Development will exhibit intellectual curiosity and creativity, including the ability to listen to and learn from multiple voices, particularly when it applies to the Museum’s development goals. They will be driven by a mission of strengthening the capacity and success of the development team through effective delegation and shared responsibility.

1. An Action-Oriented Partner to the Director/CEO:

The Senior Director of Development will work closely with the Director/CEO to advance strategic partnerships. As both a results- and relationship-driven leader, this individual will support the Director/ CEO in creating and executing the organization’s strategy, including assessing strategic initiatives to be in line with the organization’s standards and objectives. This leader will develop synergy with the Director/CEO, helping them to think through decisions.

1. A Passion for the Mission:

Successful candidates for this role will demonstrate a passion for and curiosity about the visual arts and museums, as well as a commitment to advancing culture as crucial to the health and vibrancy of civic life. This Senior Director of Development will enthusiastically and compellingly communicate the rich story of the Toledo Museum of Art.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The person in this position frequently attends campaign and development events inside and outside of TMA, with non-standard work hours, including weekends, and occasional overnight travel. Position requires ability to operate a computer and other office equipment/technology.

ABOUT TOLEDO, OHIO

Toledo has earned the title of “The Glass City” through its long history of innovation in all aspects of the glass industry. Not only is glass a transformative material, but it has also had a transformative impact on the region. Home to glass manufacturers across many applications, today, Toledo is the epicenter of the glass industry.

In 1962, the Glass Studio Movement was born in a garage on the Toledo Museum of Art grounds. Harvey Littleton, a pottery instructor, received the support of the then-director, Otto Wittmann, to conduct a workshop to explore ways artists might create works from molten glass in their own studios, rather than in factories. Finally, Dominick Labino, then vice president and director of research at Johns Manville Fiber Glass, showed up with advice on furnace construction, and with glass marbles that melted. Harvey Leafgreen, a retired glassblower from Libbey Glass, was then able to demonstrate his craft. Later that summer, many participants returned for a second workshop.

In 1969, the Toledo Museum of Art constructed the Glass-Crafts Building, becoming the first museum to build a facility and studio specifically designed for teaching glass working techniques.

Toledo continues to play a pivotal part in today’s contemporary glass community. A large part of that influence comes from TMA’s continued association with many of the most influential and up-and- coming glass artists in the world. On July 1, 2024, Ohio Governor DeWine announced Northwest Ohio Glass Innovation Hub which enhances Toledo’s global leadership in the glass industry and will create $284 million in economic impact.

Located in Northwestern Ohio, the Toledo Region is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. With the region’s affordable cost of living, short commutes, and diverse neighborhoods, one can enjoy a superb quality of life more easily than just about anywhere else. The Toledo Region provides “world- class assets in a mid-size package.” More than 600,000 people call the Toledo Region home, giving it all the attributes of a large cosmopolitan area while retaining the advantages of a small-town atmosphere and charm. The Toledo Region abounds in shoreline, including Lake Erie and the wide, scenic Maumee River and Metroparks. As a crossroads community, the Toledo Region is less than an hour away from Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan; two hours away from Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; within three and half hours from Indianapolis, Indiana, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; within 4 hours of Chicago, IL; and, within five hours of Toronto, Canada.

BENEFITS

• 25 Days of Paid Time Off Annually
• 6 Paid Holidays Annually
• 2 Paid Floating Holidays Annually
• 3 Paid Volunteer Days Annually
• Birthday Paid Day Off
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• 403b Retirement Savings Plan
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Term Life and AD&D Insurance Plans
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Museum Family Membership
• Employee Discounts in the Museum Store, Café, Studio Art Classes, & More!

The Toledo Museum of Art provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants. No person shall be discriminated against in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state statutes. The Museum is committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are treated equitably and given the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the workplace. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at jobs@toledomuseum.org or (567)-666-0387.