Director of Annual Giving and Operations - Walker Art Center

The Walker Art Center empowers people to experience the transformative possibilities of the art and ideas of our time and to imagine the world in new ways. In our over 125-year history, we have become one of the most celebrated art museums in the country and we are known for our innovative presentations and acclaimed collections of contemporary art across the spectrum of the visual, performing, and media arts.

The Director of Annual Giving and Operations plays a critical role in advancing fundraising strategies through the management of the Walker Art Center’s Membership and Annual Fund Programs. This role also oversees key support elements for all departmental fundraising efforts, including Development operations, gift administration, donor stewardship, member and donor events.  In addition, it supports the annual fundraising benefit.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO 

I. Membership and Annual Fund Program Management

Annual Giving Program 

• Oversee strategies, systems, and execution of the Walker’s Membership (up to $250) Program engaging 5,000+ members.
  • Manage acquisition, renewal, upgrade, and lapsed campaigns for Membership.
  • Oversee all communication strategies for member acquisition, engagement, and retention; collaborate with Content and Communication to to ensure membership messaging on all channels
  • Oversee member acquisition and visitor conversions at all points of sale.
• Oversee strategies, systems, and execution of the Walker’s Annual Fund ($250+) Program engaging 600+ donors
  • Manage acquisition, renewal, upgrade, and lapsed campaigns for the Annual Fund.
  • Coordinate peer-to-peer fundraising strategies with Walker trustees and volunteers.
  • Collaborate with internal partners to build the mid-level and major gift pipeline and advance meaningful donor engagement.
• Refine the Walker’s Membership and Annual Fund Programs, with a focus on growth to meet revenue goals, expansion of meaningful member/donor engagement, and movement of members and donors through the pipeline.
  • Evaluate the current Membership and Annual Fund Programs against best practices within our discipline and within our peer group.
• Analyze and report on Membership and Annual Fund direction and progress to senior leadership, Board Philanthropy Committee, and trustees. 

Member and Donor Communications

• Create annual communications schedules and content for Membership and Annual Fund Programs that tell cohesive and inspiring stories about the impact of the Walker’s mission and work for various, targeted audiences that amplify the Walker’s brand and reputation and reinforce our philanthropic needs.
• Continually update program appeals, campaign materials, and acknowledgment letters.
• Represent the Development department in meetings with Communications and Content teams to ensure member/donor-centric communications, representing that audience and ensuring consistency and quality of all messaging, signage, and marketing collateral.

Member/Donor Engagement, Events, Benefits, and Stewardship

• Strengthen and deliver high-quality experiences and excellent customer service to all members and donors.
• Oversee and execute all member/donor events and initiatives, such as After Hours, Circle Dinners, Curator’s Council, Member Nights and the donor travel program.
• Provide leadership to department staff, interns, and volunteers in order to ensure the timely and accurate execution of gift entries and acknowledgments, data integrity, benefits fulfillment, and other member/donor services.
• Develop member discounts and appreciation events, and other special offers.
• Conduct annual evaluation and update of member/donor benefits, including valuation for tax-reporting purposes. 
• Attend Membership and Development Events, including national and international trips, and ensure appropriate Walker staff (curators, senior leaders, gift officers, trustees, etc.) are present to engage with members and donors.

II. Management of Operational and Administrative Functions

• Manage the Development department’s operational and administrative functions. 
• Supervise, mentor, and motivate staff.
• Establish and maintain policies, procedures, and workflows, that emphasize and maintain high standards for accuracy, efficiency, consistency, and best practices.
• Propose, track, and reconcile income goals and expense budgets for the Membership and Annual Fund Programs, Development events, travel program, and the Avant Garden benefit.
• Serve as a Development department point person for the Tessitura CRM and to the Tessitura Administrator, collaborating with the administrator to maintain accurate data keeping and analysis to improve department functionality.

III. Support Walker’s annual fundraising benefit

• Ensure that the Donor Relations Coordinator, Member Relations Coordinator, Development Events Associate, and Development Events and Stewardship Coordinator plan and execute the benefit event.
• Participate as a member of the Development and Membership Operations team in the success of the annual benefit event.

IV. Departmental Leadership

• Work in close collaboration with key stakeholders and leaders to build the visitor to member to donor pipeline, and expand meaningful donor engagement and stewardship.
• As an inspiring and practical manager, the Director of Annual Giving and Donor Stewardship is highly skilled at mentoring and motivating their direct reports by providing training, support, and guidance. This position also manages interns and volunteers as needed/assigned, and collaborates with staff across departments, including Finance, Curatorial/Programs, Visitor Experiences, Content and Communications, and the Walker Shop.
• Support efforts to identify members and annual giving donors as prospects for mid-level and major gifts, in coordination with Development leadership, Prospect Research and Management Associates, and Gift Officers.
• Lead and/or actively participate in regular meetings with the Chief of Advancement and the Director of Major Giving and Institutional Relations regarding departmental initiatives
• Engage and support Walker leaders, curators, and staff; Board of Trustees; and committee chairs and members in fundraising activities.
• Participate in and facilitate training, conferences, and professional development.
• Participate in institutional events, meetings, and forums such as in Extended Leadership meetings and other cross-departmental work teams, all-staff meetings, and public life.

WHAT WE NEED IN YOU 

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years of fundraising experience in a nonprofit cultural or educational organization, preferably in a museum.
• Must be able to demonstrate a proven track record of success in member/donor cultivation, acquisition, engagement, and retention strategies and campaigns.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills; ability to clearly communicate with a wide range of individuals with varied talents, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Experience as a successful, collaborative supervisor who builds and motivates strong teams and supports creative, healthy work environments.
• Experience collaborating with different teams within and across departments.
• Excellent storytelling, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong skills and experience with events management and project management.
• Donor database, data management, and analytical skills and experience; ability to manage, track, analyze, and summarize data and make data-driven recommendations.
• High degree of initiative and attention to detail; ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and with excellent judgment, discretion, and sensitivity to confidential matters.
• Ability to remain poised, articulate, and calm under pressure. Ability to serve as an enthusiastic and professional representative of the Walker.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe, online research resources, and donor databases, Tessitura experience preferred.
• Ability to work weekends and evenings.
• Ability to travel once or twice a year for national and international donors trips.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS   

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk
• Prolonged periods of looking at screens
• Able to perform extensive standing, walking, and climbing
• Regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, and crouch
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS This position is considered full-time (35 hours per week), exempt. As a exempt position, it is not eligible for overtime pay. The minimum compensation for this role is $100,000 annually. The Walker offers a wide range of benefits for both part-time and full-time employees.

This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.

All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.  

Walker’s DEI commitment The Walker is committed to being an employer with a staff who, at all job levels, reflects the rich diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We are dedicated to ensuring inclusion and equity in all our employment practices. We deeply value and welcome all the unique lived experiences in our applicants and encourage anyone meeting the minimum requirements to apply.

Recruitment Timeline All positions are open until filled.