Director of Development

Director of DevelopmentPritzker Military Museum & LibraryThe Pritzker Military Museum & Library is seeking an experienced Director of Development at an important point in the institution’s growth.The PMML is developing a transformation plan that will expand programming, improve the visitor experience, and create new ways for people to engage with its collections and stories. The Director of Development will help build the philanthropic support needed to move that work from plan to reality.Reporting to the President & CEO, the Director will serve as the PMML’s lead fundraiser. The position will strengthen annual giving, build a pipeline of major and principal gifts, and play a central role in a capital campaign expected to be in the $25 million to $50 million range.This is a hands-on leadership role for a fundraiser who wants to help shape what the PMML becomes next. The Director will build donor relationships and work closely with the President & CEO, Board members, and institutional leaders to connect philanthropy with the Museum & Library’s future.About the PMMLLocated in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library preserves and shares the stories of military service and the Citizen Soldier, helping people better understand our nation’s history and the world we live in today. Its collections include more than 40,000 museum objects and more than 70,000 library titles, with exhibitions and public programs that bring those resources to a wider audience.The Director will work across the PMML to develop strong fundraising opportunities around exhibitions, programs, events, and other priorities. Working in partnership with department heads, the Director serves as the lead fundraiser in shaping those opportunities and securing support.What You’ll LeadGrow annual giving and unrestricted support while building a strong major-gift pipelineManage a portfolio of donors and prospects and personally lead significant cultivation and solicitationHelp lead preparation and fundraising for a $25 million to $50 million capital campaignBuild corporate philanthropic support through sponsorships and the PMML’s Corporate Membership programLead fundraising for exhibitions, programs, and other institutional prioritiesDirect foundation and grant fundraising and strengthen support from existing donorsLead fundraising and donor engagement for the annual Liberty Gala and work closely with the President & CEO and Board members on major and principal gift opportunitiesWhat We’re Looking ForAt least five years of progressively responsible fundraising experience in a nonprofit, cultural, educational, or related institutionDemonstrated success cultivating and soliciting major donors and managing a substantial portfolio of prospectsExperience building a fundraising pipeline and generating significant contributed revenueDemonstrated success stewarding existing donors and increasing their supportExperience with major or capital campaigns and developing compelling cases for supportExperience working effectively with senior leadership and Board members in cultivation and solicitationStrong judgment, communication skills, follow-through, with working knowledge of donor databases and fundraising systems. Tessitura experience is preferredBachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. Interest in military history, public history, museums, libraries, or related fields is also preferredThe Director will have the opportunity to shape the PMML’s fundraising program as the institution grows. Working closely with the President & CEO and supported by colleagues across the organization, the Director will bring greater focus to donor development, strengthen the fundraising pipeline, and help build the philanthropic base for the PMML’s future.The position is based at the PMML in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Some hybrid flexibility may be available based on the needs of the role and the organization. Occasional travel and evening or weekend work are required for donor engagement, programs, and events.POSITION SUMMARYThe Director of Development leads the Pritzker Military Museum & Library’s fundraising strategy and is responsible for growing contributed revenue to support current operations and long-term institutional priorities.[SR1]The Director builds relationships with donors and prospects, develops the fundraising pipeline, and identifies new sources of philanthropic support. The position leads the PMML’s contributed revenue efforts, including unrestricted annual giving, major gifts, institutional support, and campaign fundraising.Working closely with the President & CEO, the Director develops fundraising priorities and prospect strategies and coordinates leadership involvement in cultivation and solicitation. Major solicitations and institutional commitments follow established approval processes.The Director works across the PMML to develop strong fundraising opportunities around exhibitions, programs, events, and other priorities. Working in partnership with department heads, the Director serves as the lead fundraiser in shaping those opportunities and securing support.The Director is responsible for maintaining an effective fundraising operation, timely follow-up, accurate reporting, and consistent movement through the pipeline. The CRM & Constituent Operations Manager, within Audience Engagement, supports this work through CRM administration and related development operations.The Director works with Audience Engagement to identify members with greater philanthropic interest or capacity and develop those relationships. Leads the Corporate Membership program as part of the PMML’s corporate philanthropic outreach.ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONSBachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferredMinimum of five years of progressively responsible fundraising experience in a nonprofit, cultural, educational, or related institutionDemonstrated success cultivating and soliciting donors and managing a substantial portfolio of prospectsExperience developing contributed revenue through major gifts, institutional support, or campaign fundraisingAbility to identify new prospects, build a fundraising pipeline, establish revenue goals, and adjust strategy based on performanceDemonstrated success stewarding donors and increasing support from existing relationshipsExperience working with senior leadership and Board members in donor cultivation and solicitationExperience managing grant writers, consultants, or other external fundraising support preferredWorking knowledge of donor databases and fundraising systems; Tessitura experience preferredStrong written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skillsAbility to work independently while collaborating effectively across departmentsAbility to work evenings and weekends as needed and travel occasionallyInterest in military history, public history, museums, libraries, or related fields preferredASSIGNED RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIESFundraising Strategy and Revenue GrowthDevelop and lead the PMML’s fundraising strategy and establish annual and longer-term contributed revenue goalsIdentify and develop new sources of philanthropic support while building a pipeline capable of sustaining future revenue growthLead fundraising across the PMML’s primary contributed revenue channelsMonitor performance against goals and adjust strategy as opportunities or risks emergeDonor and Prospect DevelopmentBuild and manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, with responsibility for moving relationships toward philanthropic supportIdentify and qualify new prospects and develop appropriate cultivation and solicitation strategiesDevelop and strengthen annual giving as a source of donor acquisition, retention, and increased philanthropic supportPartner with the President & CEO on major and principal gift strategy and help institutional leaders use their relationships effectivelyWork with Audience Engagement to identify members with philanthropic potential and deepen those relationshipsInstitutional Fundraising and SponsorshipsWork with departments to identify institutional priorities that may attract philanthropic or sponsorship supportAdvise staff on how those priorities can be developed into fundable opportunitiesLead sponsorship strategy and solicitationCoordinate with Marketing on sponsorship recognition and donor-facing fundraising materialsGrants and Foundation SupportLead grant and foundation strategy and maintain relationships with fundersManage external grant-writing support and provide direction on priorities and proposalsWork with departments to develop competitive applications and meet grant requirementsMaintain accountability for the performance of the PMML’s grant programCampaign and Major Initiative FundraisingDevelop cases for support and fundraising materials for major institutional prioritiesPrepare the PMML for future campaigns through prospect development, case development, and appropriate planningConnect long-term institutional priorities with major and principal gift opportunitiesManage fundraising consultants and external campaign support as neededStewardship and Donor EngagementLead donor stewardship and relationship-building effortsSet standards for timely acknowledgment and follow-up while personally managing significant donor relationshipsOversee the Founders Club and other donor recognition programsEnsure donor commitments receive appropriate stewardship and recognitionLiberty Gala and Fundraising EventsLead the fundraising and donor engagement components of the Liberty Gala and other assigned fundraising eventsDevelop the Gala’s fundraising strategy, donor messaging, and solicitation approach including “night of” fundraisingUse the Gala to strengthen donor relationships and develop new prospectsWork with the Director of Audience Engagement, who serves as the PMML’s internal project manager, and third-party event support to align fundraising priorities with event executionLead donor follow-up after fundraising eventsDevelopment Leadership and PerformanceEnsure fundraising activity receives appropriate follow-up and is documented consistentlyMaintain accurate development records and reporting, with support from CRM & Constituent Operations ManagerEvaluate fundraising performance and pipeline strength and report results to the President & CEO and BoardDevelop and manage the approved annual Development budgetWork with Director of Finance to ensure fundraising revenue and related financial reporting are accurate and reconciledBuild strong working relationships across the PMML so Development can help departments identify and pursue philanthropic opportunitiesPerform other duties as assignedShort term fundraising goals including annual fund, unrestricted general operating gifts and program and event sponsorships should be included.Is this an update to Gabby's position? Will it include administrative support for the Director? Wouldn't this role report to the Director since it is heavily prospect and donor-centric?Yes, this is an evolution of Gabby’s position. I see it supporting CRM and constituent work across the organization, including membership data, Finance, audience data, and communications, rather than serving as administrative support to the Director of Development.All of those functions are important, and several were not well prioritized in the previous iteration of the role. For that reason, I think the position should remain within Audience Engagement while providing strong support to Development for donor data, reporting, acknowledgments, and campaign work.The Director has responsibility for securing Corporate Memberships.Should have demonstrated expertise in donor stewardship and cultivating increased asks from existing donors. #ZR