Director, Stewardship and Engagement

About the role

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago is the largest and most interactive science museum in the Western Hemisphere. The Museum exposes guests of all ages to awe-inspiring exhibitions that spark curiosity and bring science to life. The Museum’s mission is to inspire the inventive genius in everyone through its world-class exhibitions and engaging guest experiences. The Museum provides programs and experiences that deepen the engagement of students and teachers in science and science-related disciplines, with a vision to inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate the quality and impact of the donor relations/stewardship program, including the use of gifts, recognition, events, gift agreements, management of information, and privacy compliance.
• Collaborate with other departments to create strategies for developing donor relations/stewardship standards across campus for the purpose of creating an energetic and enthusiastic culture of philanthropy.
• Partner with leadership and giving officers to identify top stewardship prospects.
• Proactively support giving officers in the design and execution of annual and multi-year stewardship plans for donors and top prospects.
• Manage activities including, but not limited to, annual reporting of restricted endowed funds and annual gifts, scholarship matching, acknowledgments from senior leadership, and dedications, among other responsibilities.
• Develop a process to document and track stewardship actions.
• Serve as a creative resource in identifying and developing new methods of donor communications, such as web pages and social media.
• Oversee overall donor and stewardship communication strategy.
• Regularly review management tools to ensure regular and timely stewardship.
• Work with Advancement directors to review existing donor recognition societies and associated events to maximize impact and effectiveness.
• Collaborate and work on other events as necessary for Advancement and the Museum.
• Ensure gift acknowledgment processes remain relevant and are fulfilled.
• Address donor questions and concerns related to fund administration and beneficiaries, gift acknowledgments, and report requirements.
• Identify and collaborate on the development of digital and print communication opportunities to connect with donors.
• Facilitate the production of seminal donor communications.
• Manage the Manager of Communications and the Prospect Management and Research Specialist.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years related experience in direct and varied areas of stewardship, development, or communications, preferably in a higher education or non-profit setting.
• Experience managing a team.
• Experience working with donors, board members, and volunteers.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize under deadlines.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of the solicitation cycle (identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship).
• Familiarity with Salesforce is a plus.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
• Strong interpersonal skills and outstanding customer service skills with proven skills of fostering effective working relationships within a team environment.
• High level of initiative and exceptional problem-solving skills.
• High level communication (both written and oral) and collaboration skills; must be able to work effectively within and across teams comprising diverse skill sets.
• Must have Microsoft Office and Project skills.
• Demonstrated high level of organizational and time management skills, ability to work in a fast-paced environment and balance multiple projects/tasks with excellence.
• A solution-oriented individual who can develop solutions for difficult problems and brings clarity to ambiguous situations.
• Strong collaborator who seeks out and includes others’ strengths and proactively assists team members.
• An innovator who offers/implements ideas that challenge the status quo and continually pushes the Museum to grow.
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evening special events.

Qualifications

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, scripts, standard operating procedures, etc.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of guests and employees.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to speak loudly and clearly.
• The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• An attractive time off program including vacation, sick, and personal days
• 10 Company Holidays
• 401(k) plans (Traditional and Roth) including a generous employer match
• Robust Voluntary benefit plans including transportation, legal, and many others
• Free onsite garage parking

Pay

This fulltime position is eligible for benefits including:

Schedule

This fulltime position is eligible for benefits including:

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please visit our website and follow the application instructions provided there.

Note: This position was posted on 6/30/2026.

Our Inclusion and Belonging Statement: The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is committed to advancing diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion across our workforce, experiences, and day-to-day operations. As Griffin MSI employees, we are each responsible for making the Museum a welcoming place externally for guests and internally for our colleagues within the scope of our roles.

Griffin MSI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, which includes providing equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.