Director of Development

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Founded in 1936, the ICA is a beacon for contemporary culture in Boston, guided by its strategic vision of a “Radical Welcome,” and the intersection of contemporary art and civic life. Over the past decade, the ICA has expanded its impact and all aspects of its operations. In 2006, the ICA moved to a new location on Boston Harbor in an award-winning building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Three years ago, the ICA renovated a condemned former copper pipe factory in a working shipyard and marina in East Boston where it operates the Watershed, a free, seasonal site.

The ICA seeks a seasoned Director of Development to drive and lead the museum’s annual fundraising strategy, be a strategic partner for long-term financial planning and future campaigns, and work closely with the Director, Board members, funders, and staff to ensure that the ICA has the resources, creativity, and engagement needed to sustain and grow its impact as a community resource and leader in the field.

The ideal candidate will have experience designing and executing development strategies and operations for the successful identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors across all funding areas including individuals, foundations, corporations, and government entities. In addition, the Director of Development will manage, mentor, and inspire staff responsible for individual giving, corporate, government and foundation grants programs, events, donor relations, and the day-to-day administration of gifts. The Director of Development staffs, along with the Director, the Boards’ Nominating & Governance committee, and is a member of the senior management team of the museum. This position also models collaboration among curatorial, administrative, and communications staff and promotes donor and volunteer engagement across the institution.

The Director of Development oversees a total team of nine, including three direct reports (Associate Director of Development; Director of Institutional Giving; and Associate Director of Web Development and Data Systems) and is responsible for meeting ambitious fundraising goals to support the ICA’s growing needs.

Key Responsibilities

As a member of museum senior management team, contribute to long-range institutional planning for the museum; communicate key issues, accomplishments, and information for effective interdepartmental coordination; represent Development and donor issues to colleagues; problem solve; and contribute ideas and leadership to fulfill our goals of a just, fair, and excellent organization.
Successfully meet ambitious fundraising goals to support annual operations, capital improvements, endowment growth, acquisitions, and special projects.
Maintain a robust portfolio of museum donors and prospects for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. In collaboration with Director and development team, build and maintain strong, successful donor relationships.
In partnership with the Director and her office, support the management of her portfolio and ensure Director is positioned to leverage relationships and opportunities.
Ensure that board members and key staff actively participate in all fundraising activities and donor relations, as appropriate.
Develop and manage departmental budget and forecasting models, ensuring that the department has the staff and operational resources to meet immediate and long-term goals.
Lead, manage, and inspire staff, ensuring they have the skills, training, and support to meet fundraising objectives while also realizing individual goals for professional growth and development.
Staff (with the Director) the Nominating & Governance committee, and maintain and qualify pipeline of prospective candidates for all Boards and committees.
Work with Director and Board to plan special fundraising events including annual gala, luncheons, cocktail parties, dinners, and other fundraising events onsite and online, and supervise and ensure the success of those events.
Design and implement donor travel program and donor trips.
Assess and oversee all fundraising systems, protocols, and donor and IRS compliance.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success:

Implementing and managing a bold advancement strategy within a competitive philanthropic environment.
Aligning institutional positioning and communications with ambitious fundraising goals and meeting those goals.
Providing senior-level leadership in capital/endowment campaigns.
Managing complex development operations including the ability to plan, budget, analyze, and respond to a dynamic environment with an adaptive financial plan.
Prospecting, cultivating, closing, and stewarding major gifts.
In addition, they will have:
A minimum of seven years’ experience managing a team to meet specific objectives in a cultural, health, educational, or civic organization.
Excellent communication skills across diverse constituencies.
The ability to work collaboratively across all departments and establish productive, collegial relationships both internally and externally.
The ability to delegate authority as appropriate and be hands-on as needed.
Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
Proven fluency in budget preparation, forecasting, management, reporting, and cost control.
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally (when unrestricted).
Commitment to working with a diverse constituent base including staff, Boards, artists, and volunteers.
A passion for art, museums, culture, and social change.
The ability to engage in spirited discussion while maintaining perspective, a professional demeanor, and a sense of humor.
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; preference for those with a graduate degree or significant experience in nonprofit management, museum administration, or commensurate field.

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions. While the above is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

The ICA offers an excellent fringe benefit package that includes health and dental insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending plans, 403(b) retirement plan, and a generous time off policy.