Director of Major Gifts

Summary: Oversee all aspects of the Museum’s philanthropic giving programs, primarily focusing on prospects capable of making major gifts of $25,000 and above. Areas of responsibility include the Beaux Arts Council ($1,500-$25,000) and Leadership Council membership programs ($25,000+); endowment and planned giving programs; personal giving for the acquisition of works of art and Collectors Circle program; corporate and foundation giving; and donor stewardship. This role involves developing and implementing strategies to secure significant financial contributions; fostering relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporations; and managing a portfolio of major gift prospects.

Reports to: Chief of Philanthropy & External Relations

Supervises: Major Gifts Officer, Individual Giving Officer, Institutional Giving Manager

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Develop and execute major gift strategies for five key program areas:
◦ Beaux Arts Council and Leadership Council annual membership programs ($1,500+)
◦ Planned Gifts and Endowment Gifts (includes Legacy Society)
◦ Gifts of Works of Art (includes Collectors Circle program)
◦ Institutional Giving (Corporate and Foundation gifts)
◦ Donor Stewardship
• Manage an assigned portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, leading and actively participating in prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities in support of SLAM’s mission.
• Lead the Museum’s upper-level membership programs. Develop and execute an annual curriculum of program activities for upper-level members (i.e., Artful Learning, Salon Series, exhibition openings, benefactor dinners, etc.) that increases donor engagement.
• Oversee all activities related to gifts of works of art and the Museum’s Collectors Circle membership programs, in conjunction with the Deputy Director and Chief Curator and curators.
• Re-establish planned giving programs to diversify revenue streams and help secure long-term financial stability of the organization.
• Increase major gifts from corporations and foundations; work with Institutional Giving Manager to grow a pipeline of funders for capital needs, exhibitions, events, education programs, and other special projects.
• Create and execute an effective donor stewardship strategy; work with appropriate Museum staff to plan and implement campaign recognition and stewardship activities that are equitable across giving areas.
• Create donor collateral and communications to serve constituents within all phases of the donor life cycle to help secure new gifts, build awareness of SLAM offerings, and share impact of donations.
II. Staffing, Budget, and Volunteer Management
• Recruit, train, and manage a team of experienced gift officers to meet and exceed annual fundraising targets.
• Establish and manage an effective moves management system, with support from Chief of Philanthropy and External Relations and Director of Development Operations. Create annual goals and metrics to keep Board and executive leadership apprised of development activity and progress.
• Actively participate in the management and execution of Board and volunteer committees, including the Friends Board, Development Committee, BAC Taskforce, Planned Giving Taskforce, Corporate Partners Committee, and other ad-hoc committees as assigned. Attend and lead meetings, and prepare content as needed in conjunction with Chief of Philanthropy and External Relations.
• Develop, monitor and manage the annual budgets for all programs under the position’s supervision.
III. Miscellaneous
• Participate in the Museum’s exhibition and program planning processes, providing input with regard to the potential for philanthropic giving by individuals in support of specific initiatives.
• Assist Chief of Philanthropy and External Relations on special projects, as needed.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications: Required: Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 10 years professional development experience required. Proven track record of soliciting five- and six-figure gifts required. Extensive experience managing groups of fundraising volunteers required, with direct access to an organization’s trustees and highest-level individual donors. Planned giving experience required, including knowledge of current tax laws affecting planned giving and understanding of planned giving instruments (i.e., gift annuities, charitable trusts, etc.). Strong written and verbal communication and management skills required, including experience managing staff and seven-figure budgets. Must be comfortable managing and working within a structured moves management process. Ideal candidate must be trustworthy and maintain the utmost level of discretion. Preferred: Non-profit arts experience.

Additional Details:
Hiring Range: $113,820 - $142,275 annually
Status: Regular full-time, some weekends and evenings required.
Benefits: Full, competitive benefits package effective date of hire.


The Saint Louis Art Museum is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

The Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience, without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.PDN-9e28e5a7-ec39-4758-89b6-3ed726d5d90b