Managing Director of Development and Special Projects, FDR Presidential Library and Museum

Roosevelt’s Work

The Roosevelt Institute takes on today’s greatest public policy challenges by advancing bold, cutting-edge research and policy ideas. We believe that the future of the American economy and our democracy depends on a new way of thinking about markets and government—and have successfully engaged with policymakers and the media to inform and shape public debate. Too few people hold too much economic and political power today, and we know that a stronger society is possible if we rectify this imbalance between private actors and the public. With a commitment to restructuring markets, transforming corporations, reviving democratic institutions, and reimagining the role of government, our work moves our nation toward a more resilient, equitable, and green future.

The Roosevelt Institute is a think tank, a student network, and the nonprofit partner to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum that, together, are learning from the past and working to redefine our collective future. Focusing on corporate and public power, labor and wages, and the economics of race and gender inequality, the Roosevelt Institute unifies experts, invests in young leaders, and advances progressive policies that bring the legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt into the 21st century.

What You’ll Do

The Roosevelt Institute serves as the nonprofit partner to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum (FDRL), which is part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), a federal agency. The Managing Director of Development and Special Projects for the FDRL will report directly to the Chief Development Officer (and in the interim report to the President & CEO of the Roosevelt Institute) and will hold significant direct relationships with the Director of the FDRL and the Chair of the Trustees of the FDRL.

The FDRL is the nation’s first presidential library and museum, the construction of which was overseen by FDR himself. He worked in the library for 5 of his 12 years in office. The FDRL is a living organization, shaped by Eleanor Roosevelt after FDR’s death to foster research and study of the New Deal, World War II, and the postwar era. Eleanor Roosevelt later added her papers to form part of the 17 million pages of original documents, along with over 30,000 museum objects and 22,000 of the president’s personal books. Together, these materials compose one of the world’s premier collections documenting the 20th century. Today, the FDRL serves almost 200,000 visitors, including scholars, students, and the public, onsite and online annually through education and public programs, a research center, and permanent and changing exhibits.

The Managing Director of Development and Special Projects will oversee the fundraising strategy and portfolio for the FDRL, implementing plans to achieve its annual ~$1 million revenue goal. Additionally, this role will prioritize fundraising for special projects such as rotating special exhibitions, the $9.5 million “Safeguarding a Living Legacy” campaign, and a future capital campaign to durably expand the library’s reach, with an emphasis on individual donors.

The FDRL is embarking on major fundraising initiatives in the coming years. It is a beloved entity with significant potential for increased investment. The Managing Director of Development and Special Projects will have the opportunity to develop and execute a strategy to significantly scale up fundraising operations that will allow FDRL to strengthen core program areas, elevate digitizing, enhance other critical mission-oriented activities, and achieve long-term sustainability.

This position will also serve as the key liaison between FDRL staff and Roosevelt Institute staff and board leadership. In addition to overseeing the fundraising portfolio, this position will project manage high-priority cross-functional initiatives between the two entities.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Manage the overall FDRL fundraising pipeline, including leading on strategy, tracking progress toward goals, and leveraging data to inform decisions, employing a combination of strategic thinking and tactical execution.
• Own a portfolio of funder relationships, including directly soliciting gifts from potential donors and staffing principals on relationship management and stewardship.
• Prepare principals for donor meetings and other external engagements to enable them to maximize time with funders and close gifts, including conducting prospect research, drafting talking points, and ensuring strong and timely follow-through.
• Engage with individual and institutional donors along with peers to represent the organization externally and strategically position the FDRL’s work.
• Liaise between FDRL and Roosevelt Institute leadership, managing communication and joint projects. This may include, but is not limited to, large events and convenings, joint fundraising endeavors, compliance and regulatory updates, and supporting the institute’s relationship with NARA.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with trustees and board members, offering hands-on guidance to further their FDRL-centered development activities.
• Leverage the FDRL’s robust suite of programs to develop corporate partnerships and sponsorship opportunities, reaching out to potential new partners and cultivating new relationships.
• Manage the Deputy Director of Development and partner with them to achieve goals. May also manage an external fundraising consultant.

What You’ll Have:

• Minimum of 8–10 years experience in fundraising for nonprofit organizations. Preference for candidates who have experience with cultural and historical institutions with a national profile.
• Demonstrated experience identifying, cultivating, and closing gifts from individuals and foundations at a major and principal level.
• Experience raising revenue and managing budgets for a $1–$2 million organization.
• Excellent donor relationship management skills, including for board members, foundation leads, individual donors, and corporate donors.
• Familiarity with being a self-starter who takes a hands-on approach and proactively identifies and resolves problems with minimal direction.
• Ability to work across all levels, build collaboration and buy-in, and generate support from internal and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with development approaches including institutional giving, events, corporate partnerships, major gifts, and capital campaigns.
• Experience managing and supporting staff from a diversity of backgrounds and levels.
• Understanding of the philanthropic and political environment, best practices in fundraising, and fundraising for cultural institutions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proven experience managing, prioritizing, and meeting multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to present complex programmatic strategies and activities in narratives and messaging that are approachable for and tailored to specific funder audiences.
• Organization skills, with outstanding attention to detail.
• Experience using donor databases like Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, etc.

• 100% Paid for Employees: Medical, Dental & Vision premiums
• 80% Paid for Family members: Medical, Dental, & Vision premiums
• Fully funded HRA; FSA for Dependent & Healthcare
• Generous Vacation, Sick Time, Personal Time Off & Emergency Time Off
• 403 (b) Retirement Plan with up to 4% contribution after one year
• Professional Development Program
• Paid Winter Break