Development Manager

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Development Manager

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt | Reports To: Executive Director

About the Herreshoff Marine Museum

The Herreshoff Marine Museum / America's Cup Hall of Fame is a nonprofit maritime museum located in Bristol, Rhode Island, dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and celebrating the history of the America's Cup. The Museum's campus on Narragansett Bay includes historic buildings, a working marina, significant vessel and artifact collections, and robust public programming. The Museum is in an exciting period of growth, including ongoing campus development and expansion of its development and community engagement activities.

Position Summary

The Development Manager is a key member of the Museum's leadership team, responsible for planning and executing a comprehensive fundraising program that sustains and grows the Museum's philanthropic revenue. This position manages individual giving, annual fund, grants, special events, and donor stewardship, while working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to advance the Museum's mission and capital priorities.

The Development Manager will play a central role in the Museum's ongoing fundraising initiatives, including its annual appeal, membership program, signature events, and emerging capital campaign planning. The ideal candidate brings a track record of success in nonprofit development, strong database management, analytics, reporting, and an interest in American industrial history and the Museum's mission.

Key Responsibilities

Annual Giving & Individual Donor Relations

• Schedule and manage the annual fund, including goal setting, donor segmentation, and year-end giving campaigns
• Identify and qualify prospective major donors for Giving Society membership
• Develop and implement a donor stewardship program that acknowledges, recognizes, and retains donors at all levels
• Collaborate with marketing to execute year-end campaigns, membership and giving society materials
• Coordinate closely with the Executive Director on major donor strategy, legacy and gift planning, opportunities to expand the endowment, and Board engagement

Grants & Institutional Giving

• Research, write, and submit grant applications to foundations, corporations, and government agencies
• Track grant deadlines, compliance requirements, and reporting obligations; prepare timely grant reports
• Maintain and expand relationships with institutional funders; identify new grant opportunities aligned with Museum priorities
• Coordinate with program and finance staff to develop accurate project budgets and narratives

Events & Membership

• Manage the Museum's membership program, including acquisition, renewal, and benefit fulfillment
• Develop strategies to grow membership and convert members to annual fund donors and major gift prospects
• Coordinate with marketing the planning and execution of the Museum's annual fundraising gala (Sails & Stars Soiree) and other donor cultivation events
• Collaborate with marketing on events, invitations, and donor recognition materials
• Oversee the ticketing process, guest lists, and reporting for all events

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and complete donor records in the Museum's donor management system (Bloomerang)
• Develop affinity groups, cohorts, and other segmentations
• Produce regular reports on fundraising activity, pipeline status, and progress toward goals for leadership and the Board
• Ensure timely processing of gifts, pledge reminders, and acknowledgment letters in compliance with IRS requirements
• Use data to identify trends, inform strategy, and measure program effectiveness

Strategic & Administrative

• Develop and manage the annual development budget; track revenue and expenses against projections
• Participate in strategic planning and contribute to capital campaign feasibility and execution planning
• Represent the Museum at community and professional events; serve as an ambassador for the institution

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 3–5 years of nonprofit development experience
• Demonstrated success in individual donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Experience writing and managing grants; knowledge of foundation and government funding landscapes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including compelling donor correspondence and grant narratives
• Proficiency with donor management software (experience with Bloomerang a plus) and Microsoft Office / Google Workspace
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Commitment to the mission of the Herreshoff Marine Museum and interest in maritime history and culture

Preferred

• Experience in a museum, historic site, or cultural organization
• Experience with capital campaign planning or management

Work Environment & Schedule

This is a full-time, on-site position based at the Herreshoff Marine Museum campus in Bristol, Rhode Island. Regular evening and weekend availability is required for donor events, Board meetings, and Museum programs. Some local travel for meetings and community engagement. The Museum offers a friendly, mission-driven work environment with a small, collaborative staff team.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience. The Museum offers a benefits package including a 6% 401K match, and unlimited paid time off. $50,000 - $65,000

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples (at least one of which should be a grant narrative or donor appeal) to jobs@herreshoff.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Museum offers a benefits package including a 6% 401K match, and unlimited paid time off.