Deputy Director for Advancement

About the Columbus Museum of Art

The Columbus Museum of Art (CMA), located in the vibrant city of Columbus, Ohio, is a dynamic cultural institution dedicated to enriching the community through art. Founded in 1878, the Museum has a rich

At the heart of the Museum’s mission is a commitment to education and community engagement. Through a wide range of exhibitions, programs, and events, CMA strives to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of art among visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

CMA’s dedicated staff, hundreds of volunteers, and deeply committed Board of Trustees believe in the power of creating great experiences with great art for everyone. With an operating budget of $15 million, CMA is nationally recognized for its collection and programs yet remains, at its core, an institution built for the community by the community.

About the Opportunity

The Columbus Museum of Art seeks an experienced, strategic advancement leader to oversee the Museum’s success and sustainability. Leading a team of 15 professionals in fundraising, marketing, and communications, the Deputy Director for Advancement will be a key member within the Museum’s leadership team, collaborating closely with the visionary Executive Director & CEO and curatorial leadership as a valued thought partner. Working with these partners, the Deputy Director for Advancement will build and implement a strategy to raise over $6 million in FY2025 and engage a generous community of supporters to expand contributed revenue to $9 million in FY2027. The Deputy Director for Advancement will begin with a well-defined roadmap for success outlined in the soon-to-be-approved development plan.

These tremendous assets are accompanied by challenges, of which staff and board are aware and aligned in solving. As was the case for many arts organizations in the years since the onset of COVID-19, the advancement and leadership teams have undergone several reductions and transitions in recent years. Museum leadership have made significant progress in hiring and retaining key staff roles and share a commitment to a robust institutional staffing plan that will position the Museum to expand impact. The incoming leader will have an opportunity to shape their team, making a number of key hires to restore and further expand capacity in the advancement office.

The Deputy Director for Advancement is a strategic, dynamic leader with a deep understanding of fundraising, marketing, and communications principles, methods, and tactics at major institutions. In addition, they have a keen understanding of management, team dynamics, and accountability to empower and lead the advancement staff to excellence.

Key Position Functions

Reporting to the Executive Director & CEO, the Deputy Director for Advancement is responsible for planning, managing, and executing a comprehensive, diversified, and strategic development and communications effort that sustains and secures revenue from various constituencies in accordance with annual goals. In collaboration with the Executive Director & CEO and board leadership, the Deputy Director for Advancement will significantly increase contributed revenue, earned revenue, high-impact partnerships, community awareness, and powerful connections with both the Museum’s existing stakeholders and emerging audiences.

This position requires extensive professional experience in fundraising, preferably including direct involvement in capital campaigns. The position is the advancement leader for the Museum, its fundraising work, and maintains strong relationships with key individual and family donors, corporations, and foundations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Development/Membership

Marketing and Communications

Team Management and Leadership

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Ten or more years of experience in development with progressive roles – preferred in the arts and culture sector.
• Demonstrate ability to implement and expand comprehensive fundraising programs.
• Knowledge of and experience with fundraising, communications and marketing, and development operations.
• Personal values that align with CMA’s mission and core values.
• Understanding of, or desire to learn about, connecting people and art.
• Propensity to articulate clear expectations to implement plans, showcase forward thinking, and take calculated risks.

Application Process

Benefactor Group is pleased to be assisting the Columbus Museum of Art with this executive search. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. All applications are considered highly confidential. To be considered for this position, please send a resume and formal cover letter in PDF format to:

Benefactor Group Recruitment Team

HR@benefactorgroup.com

http://www.benefactorgroup.com

To learn more about the Columbus Museum of Art, please visit: https://www.columbusmuseum.org/

Please do not contact the Columbus Museum of Art staff or board with questions or interest in the role. All inquiries about the position should be directed to Benefactor Group.

View the full position profile here: https://bit.ly/CMA-DeptDirAdvPositionProfile