Director of Development

Organizational Background

Located in Doylestown, in the heart of Bucks County, PA, the Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, operated by the Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS), are two historic concrete castles that celebrate the life and legacy of Henry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930), American archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramicist and scholar.

The Mercer Museum, one of Bucks County’s premier cultural attractions and a Smithsonian affiliate, features both local and national seasonal exhibits as well as a collection of over 17,000 pre-Industrial tools. This permanent collection offers visitors a unique window into pre-Industrial America and is one of the world’s most comprehensive portraits of American material culture.

Fonthill Castle was home to Henry Chapman Mercer and served as a showplace for his collection of tiles and prints. Fonthill Castle features Mercer’s renowned, handcrafted ceramic tiles designed at the height of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Description

The Director of Development (DOD) provides leadership and management of the BCHS Development Office staff and operations in support of institutional initiatives. The DOD identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals, foundations, corporations, and government sources to provide critical fundraising dollars for the Museums’ short- and long-term strategic goals.

Key areas of responsibility:

Leadership & Supervision

• With the President & CEO and in cooperation with the Leadership Team (LT), the DOD sets goals, develops plans, and documents the overall Development program, including solicitation strategies, donor pipelines, and performance metrics to ensure that quarterly and annual performance metrics are met.
• Ensures positive experiences and stewardship of all donors to BCHS.
• Serves as a key member of the Leadership Team.
• Attends and reports on Development at all Board meetings; staffs the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees and Rainmakers business membership committee.
• Trains, supervises, and supports Development Office staff as outlined in the organization chart in oversight of projects and programs.

Collaboration & Communications

• Cooperates closely with the President & CEO, members of the LT, and the Board to understand institutional needs, strategies, priorities, and fundraising needs.
• Translates the fundraising priorities determined in the strategic plan and annual budget into giving opportunities to share with donors through proposals, grant applications, in person meetings, events, and solicitation letters and appeals.
• Partners with the Marketing and Communications team to coordinate compelling fundraising branded materials, such as case statements, brochures, social media, messages, invitations, and other materials.
• Cultivate collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and direct reports.

Fundraising & Donor Relations

• Develops prospect lists, fundraising strategies, and approaches to engage and solicit donors.
• Establishes key performance metrics for the overall fundraising program.
• Manages relationships with a portfolio of individual donors, foundations, governmental sources, and corporate partners
• Identifies and maintains an active list of foundation and corporate grantors and writes grants and solicitations.
• Drafts solicitations and proposals to be used across the organization in pitches to prospective donors.
• Manages and grows the Membership program.
• Leverages Altru database to the highest and best use.
• Ensures the stewardship of donors with timely acknowledgments, reports, and engagement opportunities.
• Establishes and maintains protocols for gift receipt and acknowledgment; ensures that gift acceptance and gift processing systems are in place and functioning, that acknowledgements are prompt and robust, and that all charitable giving compliance and regulatory requirements are met.

Events & Campaigns

• Oversees planning and production of present fundraising events that generate both revenue and community goodwill, such as Cocktails at the Castle and Beer Fest, and stay vigilant to identify new opportunities.
• Creates and implements annual appeals, direct mail, digital fundraising initiatives, and other major and minor fundraising drives to support BCHS.
• Works with the President & CEO and Board to develop and run major fundraising campaigns.

Financial Management

• Develops and manages the department budget.
• Monitors revenue and expenses to ensure fundraising goals are met.
• Creates accurate progress reports to share with LT and Board of Trustees.

Qualifications Summary

• Bachelor degree in a related field and 5+ years of professional fundraising experience; master’s degree preferred.
• Relevant and essential experience may be substituted for education qualifications.
• Substantial knowledge, comfort, and experience with many types of fundraising, including annual giving and donor engagement programs, such as planned legacy giving, membership programs, corporate sponsorship, events, direct mail appeals, and major campaign gifts.
• Knowledge of the current fundraising market in Doylestown/Bucks County Area, and throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
• Effective leadership skills and management experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule.

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance