Director of Development & Communications

Status: Full-time, salaried

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Supervises: Associate Director of Marketing (full-time); Development & Communications Coordinator (part-time)

Schedule: Mondays – Fridays, with occasional evenings or weekends

Location: In-office, with some remote work possible

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Development & Communications manages individual, foundation, and corporate giving for the Museum as its primary fundraising staff position. They will build and manage a portfolio of donors and prospects to build ongoing support for the Museum, as well as provide guidance and structure for stewardship and giving strategies at the Museum. This will require conceiving and implementing solicitation strategies for new and increased gifts; leading identification, writing, and submission of grant applications and reports; and identifying opportunities to connect prospects and donors with the programs and leadership of the Museum, leveraging their passions and interests to increase their giving. Building and cultivating relationships will be imperative to maintaining their portfolio, and they are responsible for meeting with donors in-person, making phone calls, stewarding donors, and achieving fundraising goals. They embed the best practices and ethics of both development and/or museum/non-profit professionals in their work as they rebuild fundraising efforts at the Museum.

This role leads a small but growing team. It supervises two other positions, including the Associate Director of Marketing, and with that role’s expertise and efforts, oversees SCM’s marketing and communication work. In total, this Development and Communications team will be responsible for outward-facing efforts that elevate the Museum’s brand and drives engagement with families, supporters, partners, and the community.

This role is an essential member of the Leadership Team focused on serving Seattle’s children and their adults through play-based learning experiences. Since reopening in April 2022, we’ve been rebuilding and growing all aspects of the Museum’s operations, including setting ambitions to being a leader in the community and the field. We are a mission-driven and values-centered organization dedicated to playful learning, children, and our community. We dream big and are committed to doing impactful work – this position will build and expand important funding streams and relationships essential to the Museum’s sustainability.

An ideal candidate will:

• Be a creative, action-oriented, and strategic with demonstrated fundraising experience.
• Demonstrate outstanding donor relations, customer service, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills.
• Have a proven record of meeting project and fundraising goals.
• Be inspired by the mission, goals, and values of the Seattle Children’s Museum.
• Enthusiastically champion an approach that centers community, sustainability, access, and equity in their work.
• Be a collaborative and respectful team member with excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and a growth mindset.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Plan development: Develop, implement, and lead organizational fundraising plan; implement and update stewardship plans, with support from the CEO and Board of Trustees; set and work toward strategic fundraising goals and benchmarks; use and lead diverse fundraising strategies to meet institutional financial goals (such as campaigns, sponsorships, annual fund, events); conceive of and implement strategies for gift solicitation and donor engagement.
• Oversee and nurture donor portfolio: Build, cultivate, and sustain a portfolio of active and prospective donors and use strategic moves management to nurture relationships; collaborate with staff, board members, and community volunteers as appropriate to maximize philanthropic outcomes.
• Manage the Museum’s grant-writing initiatives: Research and identify potential grants that support Museum projects and needs; collaborate with Museum staff, partners, and consultants to plan, write, edit, and submit grant applications; track deadlines; manage relationships with program officers; and track, plan, write, and submit grant reports with support from colleagues.
• Develop donor strategies: Create and implement strategies for donor recognition, growth, and engagement that also align donor interests with institutional priorities.
• Prospect development: Continually identify individuals and organizations as new donor prospects; prepare tailored solicitation proposals.
• Collaborate for major gifts: Partner with Museum’s staff Leadership Team, team members, board members, and consultants to build out a more robust major gifts program.
• Ensure donor stewardship & engagement: Maintain and enhance long-term relationships with donors and prospects through proper stewardship; strategize, plan, and track donor engagement events and opportunities and collaborate with colleagues to develop implementation plans.
• Oversee and lead Museum’s Marketing efforts: Via supervision of Associate Director of Marketing, provide thought partnership and accountability mechanisms for Museum’s digital platforms (social media, website, email communications), advertising and promotional efforts, and public relations to lead the Museum’s brand and drive engagement.
• Budget management: Create, implement, adjust, and manage annual division budgets to meet annual goals; manage vendor contracts; and steward the Museum’s resources responsibly.
• Utilize and maintain systems and records (digital and physical) to track development activities and coordinate with colleagues, including a record management and report generation with a donor management database system (SCM currently uses Altru).
• Strategize, draft, and edit written fundraising pieces, such as appeal letters, donor acknowledgements, or other fundraising collateral.
• Support team and mission: Work collaboratively within the SCM team to grow support, uphold the mission and values, and contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace; actively uphold our Culture Charter in all work; participate actively in team meetings, staff trainings, and Museum-wide projects; cross-train to gain first-hand experience of our mission in action, as well as providing occasional front-line support in the Museum.
• Track, interpret, and utilize relevant data to inform decisions, allocation of resources, and strategic adjustments.
• Maintain current knowledge of professional best practices, trends, and ethics related to museum/non-profit fundraising.
• Represent the Museum and its mission in the community.
• Provide excellent customer service for internal and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

• 5-7 years of experience in fundraising or development work in the museum, cultural, or non-profit field, including securing major gifts, meeting goals, and donor stewardship – or equivalent experience
• Excellent writing/editing skills (development of content and/or adding spark to content provided) including the ability to generate original writing for grants or solicitations
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Comfort and demonstrated experience with CMS or donor management software (ex: Altru), as well as standard workplace software (especially Microsoft Office suite)
• Demonstrated experience related to marketing and communications work and strategy
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing projects, including ability to lead and track project components, set and track progress toward goals, and manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines
• Demonstrated experience supervising and managing other staff
• Comfortable using data to inform and adjust strategy
• Ability to work both self-directed and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

Desired Qualifications:

• Passion and commitment to arts, culture, children, and/or education
• 7+ years fundraising or development work in the museum, cultural, or non-profit field, especially in fundraising, advancement, and/or marketing roles.
• Knowledge of the Greater Seattle Area philanthropic community
• Exceptional skills in fostering relationships, establishing trust and rapport with diverse individuals, and engaging in skillful conversation with tact and sound judgement
• Demonstrated experience with donor research, cultivation, and stewardship
• Demonstrated experience with grant research, writing, and reporting
• Experience working with board trustees and other community volunteers
• Demonstrated and effective experience in a Marketing or Communications position
• Excellent customer service skills

Physical Working Conditions:

The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Frequent: Sitting (at desk, at a computer, in meetings, making phone calls); typing on keyboard, looking at a computer screen, and reading.
• Often: Walking (to office in center of Seattle Center campus, within office, and to occasional meetings/events around town); standing (during events or meetings); and other movements such as bending over, reaching for items, and organizing.
• Occasional: Wearing a face mask (in alignment with current Museum infectious disease protocol), kneeling, using a radio, speaking loudly in crowded spaces (ex: Museum events), lifting 20-30 pounds. Also occasional travel within town or less-frequent long-range travel (could include sitting on planes, trains, or in cars for extended periods).

TO APPLY

Submit both a letter of interest (2-page max) and resume, via email, to: jobs@seattlechildrensmuseum.org

• Letter of interest: In your letter, let us know how you can help the Seattle Children’s Museum meet our goals; align with our mission and values; and serve our purpose through this position.
• Hiring Process:
  • Hiring team will begin reviewing applications April 15, 2026 and continue on a rolling basis.
  • Candidates selected for interview will be asked to provide three references and samples of relevant work.
  • Hiring process will include a round of initial screening conversations by phone, followed by two-rounds of interviews with staff and possibly board members. Final candidates will be asked to complete a background check.

Seattle Children’s Museum values inclusivity, equity, access, and respect in all that we do – as a staff, with collaborators, and with our visitors. SCM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate based on age, creed, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other protected class. We are committed to building a welcoming and inclusive workplace, and are actively building a team of passionate people with diverse backgrounds, identities, and perspectives. Applicants with diverse experiences are especially encouraged to apply.

Our job descriptions include a general overview of qualifications, not a mandatory or comprehensive list. Data shows that women, BIPOC, and underrepresented candidates more frequently do not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. If you meet some of the requirements, believe in our mission, and share our values, we encourage you to apply.

ABOUT US

The Seattle Children’s Museum is a mission-driven institution with a forty-five-year history, making a fresh start in 2022 and a building a dedicated team. We are located at Seattle Center, with 18,000 square feet of exhibit and program space. Working collaboratively, this energized and growing team of Museum staff develops programs and procedures for the practical implementation of the Museum’s core values, mission, and purpose. Together we welcome all visitors, create high quality exhibits and programs that foster play-based learning, and grow the Museum’s reach, producing lasting impacts for the region’s children and families.

Guiding Principles:

• Our mission is to engage children, and the people who care for them, in playful, creative, hands-on exploration and discovery.
• Our aim – through the impact of our exhibits, programming, and partnerships – is to foster a region where children and their caregivers are supported by and nurture a community where children thrive.
  • Education: Children and their adults learn through play. Especially, SCM experiences inspire:
    • Lifelong curiosity and learning
    • Development of life skills (creative, social, physical, emotional, cognitive)
    • Understanding of the world in which we live
    • Connections to the Pacific Northwest and local community.
  • Community Building: Children and those who care for them actively build and are supported by a community where children thrive.
    • Children and their adults build community with each other and build connections with their wider community.
    • Careholders (community members, policymakers, business, funders, & community organizations) nurture and invest in an interconnected, supportive region where children flourish.
  • Visitor Experience: People enjoy an excellent visitor experience (welcoming, safe, joyful, cost-effective, happy memories). Especially:
    • Visitors view SCM as an accessible, inclusive, diverse community gathering place.
    • Children have ownership, agency, and autonomy in their experience with SCM.
    • Caregivers have support/resources to complement life experiences.
  • Leadership: Peers recognize SCM as a leader in its field and community.
• In all things, the SCM’s staff, board, and volunteers will value:
  • Joyful Learning for All
  • Respect for All
  • Inclusivity, Equity, and Engagement for All
  • Community Building for All
  • Sustainability at All Scales
  • Curiosity at All Levels

Culture Charter:

SCM staff commit to performing their work in ways that are consistent with the following values and expectations in collective pursuit of the organization’s mission, vision, and strategies:

• Behavior-based culture expectations illustrating the value, “Joyful Learning for All:”
  • Embrace continuous learning and developmental growth, including learning and growing from mistakes.
  • Foster an environment of intertwined learning and play, balancing hard work with fun and whimsy.
  • Celebrate and share moments of joy and discovery.
• Behavior-based culture expectations illustrating the value, “Respect for All:”
  • Build and maintain relationships that reinforce mutual respect.
  • Clarify and acknowledge boundaries associated with different roles.
  • Collaborate to find solutions in ways that empower others to ask for assistance.
• Behavior-based culture expectations illustrating the value, “Inclusivity, Equity, and Engagement for All:”
  • Pursue authentic, kind connection with co-workers, welcoming all identities, working styles, and abilities.
  • Collaborate for understanding, proposing and presenting information in different ways to support better understanding and retention.
  • Recognize ways our differences change our experiences working at SCM; we all experience it differently.
• Behavior-based culture expectations illustrating the value, “Community Building for All:”
  • Collaborate and share as thought partners, building trusting working relationships across teams, on the museum floor, and in the office.
  • Reciprocate effort, figuring out and asking for what you need, and working to meet the needs of others.
  • Address and resolve conflicts respectfully and collaboratively to strengthen relationships.
• Behavior-based culture expectations illustrating the value, “Sustainability at All Scales:”
  • Engage in consistent, kind communication, collaborating to agree upon and follow through on expectations that ensure the organization sustains over time.
  • Foster responsiveness and connectedness to our patrons, partners, and community.
  • Actively seek and acknowledge input for decision-making in the interests of sustaining staff, the organization, and the greater Seattle community.
• Behavior-based culture expectations illustrating the value, “Curiosity at All Levels:”
  • Model openness to ideas and questions, even when offered in draft form.
  • Seek, provide, and receive feedback with curiosity and self-reflection.
  • When harm has been caused, acknowledge and work toward repair with humility.

This position’s compensation package currently includes the following benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Starting at 15 days accrued paid time off annually, paid sick and safe leave, 12 paid SCM-observed (including 2 floating holidays), infectious disease leave, bereavement leave
• Annual merit-based bonus program
• ORCA commuter benefit
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Professional development opportunities
• Staff discounts on Museum offerings, including a free membership and a free party rental each year

English (fluency). Any additional languages can be helpful, especially Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), Vietnamese, Arabic, or ASL.