Director of Development

About the Wharton Esherick Museum:

The Wharton Esherick Museum (WEM) is the home and studio of Wharton Esherick (1887-1970), an internationally significant figure in the landscape of art history and American modern design. Set on 12 wooded acres, the Museum campus is comprised of multiple buildings including Esherick’s highly individual, hand-built Studio, which was constructed over a 40-year period beginning in 1926, and his 1928 Expressionist garage, which is now our Visitor Center. In 1973, just one year after its official opening as a museum, the Studio was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1993, the Museum was designated a National Historic Landmark for Architecture.

WEM celebrated its 50^th anniversary in 2022 and is now working toward a campus expansion plan that would create new interpretive spaces and expand opportunities for visitors to experience Esherick’s sense of fun and endless possibility. Guided by a thoughtful long-term campus planning process, the vision includes both new capital projects as well as programming that will give Esherick’s story fresh relevance, introducing his life and work to a wider circle.

Summary:

The Director of Development (DOD) is a new role which will work to further the mission and reach of the Wharton Esherick Museum by creating, leading, and executing a comprehensive development effort to support our organizational growth and exciting future plans. This position offers a seasoned, energetic, and creative development leader the opportunity to partner with WEM’s Executive Director, staff, and Board of Directors in taking the organization into its next phase. The DOD will be a passionate and informed advocate for WEM, effectively engaging existing and potential supporters in its mission and programs. Comfortable balancing both relationship-oriented and task-focused responsibilities, the DOD will structure compelling opportunities for support at a time when this dynamic organization is preparing to embark on an ambitious fundraising effort.

Key Responsibilities:

·      The DOD will develop and implement the organization’s first comprehensive fundraising strategy and program inclusive of institutional, corporate, and individual giving.

·      Oversee all fundraising activities, including prospect identification, solicitations, cultivation, stewardship, and reporting. Act as primary point of contact for funders.

·      Work closely with colleagues, including curatorial, program, and operations, to ensure that fundraising efforts align with the organization's overall strategy, values, and goals.

·      Work closely with the Board of Directors to communicate fundraising goals and support the Board’s efforts in reaching goals through a variety of engagements and activities.

·      Collaborate with the Communications team on development strategies using WEM’s media and digital platforms.

·      Lead, plan, and manage development events to include cultivation events and annual fundraisers.

·      Oversee the management of the fundraising CRM, Little Green Light.

• Develop and implement strategies for successful grant-seeking including researching prospective sources, writing, monitoring, and tracking grants from private, corporate and government sources.

Qualifications:

·      Demonstrated experience leading a comprehensive development operation, including individual and institutional giving, event planning, and communications.

·      Strong track record of closing major gifts, preferably in an art museum or cultural institution.

·      An attentive listener and engaging storyteller, able to attract, influence, engage and build long-term relationships with all types of donors and key stakeholders.

·      Energetic and skilled networker who enjoys community engagement, attending events and participating in activities to position the Museum for success.

·      Commitment to diversity and a history of working effectively with all people irrespective of their economic status, ethnicity, gender, educational level or sexual orientation.

·      Ability to prioritize, ideate and implement projects effectively in a highly collaborative and creative environment.

·      Experience in grant writing and skills in proposal development.

·      Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of experience and education.

·      Familiarity with the local, regional, and national funding community a plus.

Location:

The Wharton Esherick Museum is located in Malvern, PA. This position will require in-office hours with flexible work schedule options and occasional evenings and weekends.