Director of Development

THE OPPORTUNITY

Located in the heart of San Francisco, the Asian Art Museum is home to one of the world’s finest collections of Asian art, boasting more than 18,000 inspiring artworks ranging from ancient jades and ceramics to contemporary video installations. Dynamic special exhibitions, cultural celebrations, and public programs for all ages provide rich art experiences that unlock the past and spark questions about the future.

Currently, we are seeking a Director of Development to join our team. This is an exceptional opportunity to join an organization that values creativity, teamwork, collaboration, and inclusion and where you will be surrounded by a diverse, talented, and enthusiastic group of colleagues.

The Director of Development (DOD) is responsible for the oversight and planning of all the Museum’s Development and development event efforts. This position leads the day-to-day operations of the Development team and oversees all aspects of fundraising for the museum. In addition, through an active portfolio, the DOD will manage the stewardship of current leadership donors and the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of prospective leadership donors to support annual unrestricted and restricted goals.

The DOD regularly engages with staff, commissioners, trustees, vendors, visitors, volunteers, members, and colleagues in a personable and respectful manner.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Leadership

• Support the creation of an annual fundraising plan that will ensure that the museum’s fundraising goals are achieved through multiple fundraising approaches/channels, including institutional, individual, special events, membership, facility rentals, multi-year and endowment giving.
• Ensuring the donor development and stewardship efforts are well-formed and effective in sustaining and growing support for the Museum.
• Lead the work of the Development team and ensure that the team is meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.
• Be visible and accessible to the donor community, represent the museum and department initiatives by cultivating and deepening relationships throughout the community.
• Be a trusted partner, ensure maximum value from their diverse connections, effectively utilizing his time and personal participation in fundraising events.
• Develop and sustain strong relationships with the Foundation Board of Trustees and the members of the SF Asian Arts Commission.

Personal Fund Raising

• Maintain and manage a personal portfolio of high-level prospects by identifying cultivating and soliciting major and principal gift prospects.
• Support board members, board chief executive, other fundraising volunteers, and staff in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting gifts.
• Mentor others in fundraising best practices and support the development of individual donor strategies for significant gifts to the museum.

Operational and Staff Management

• Oversee a development team of 20 and 5 direct reports, while reporting to the Chief Impact Officer.
• Hire, develop, supervise, coach and evaluate team members and create a supportive, goal-oriented and productive work culture based on the organizational values of the museum.
• Set performance goals for team members and evaluate performance against goals on a regular basis. Effectively coach team members and provide supportive and developmental feedback to enhance performance. Ensure that team members develop the technical, leadership and professional skills to be successful.
• Supervisory responsibilities include hiring, scheduling, developing, performance reviews and disciplinary actions of development staff.
• Collaborate with Finance team to ensure the accurate and timely reporting and forecasting of contributed income and departmental expenses.
• Maintain accountability and compliance standards for donors and funding sources.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Arts degree, plus seven (7) years of professional level development and fundraising experience with three (3) years of supervisory experience. Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Must have experience in campaigns and in developing leadership and major gifts; developing and maintaining financial projections and budgets. Demonstrated interest in Asian art and culture preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing successful nonprofit revenue-generation and donor management strategies and tactics.
• Proven history of high-level, high-return fundraising, lasting relationships with a diversity of donors and through a diversity of strategies that uniquely reach each type of donor.
• Strategic thinker with an ability to manage and implement change: someone who can motivate and mentor staff while increasing individual and team performance.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt easily to changing situations and priorities, exercise good judgement and stay focused on overarching goals.
• Flexibility and capacity to think creatively, communicate broadly, and demonstrate solutions-oriented leadership.
• Proven track record of initiating change and innovation. Bringing great ideas to fruition through the alignment of ideas, people and processes using self-directed work teams.
• Ability to supervise, direct, motivate, and evaluate staff and volunteers.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, and members of the public; promote membership activities to ethnically and culturally diverse groups and communities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment; adhere to deadlines; demonstrate flexibility in meeting shifting demands and priorities.
• Ability to work alternative work schedules as needed.

Attributes

• Genuinely enjoys engaging donors and the fundraising process.
• Comfort interacting with high-level donors and patrons.
• Ability to nurture both comradery and accountability with team.
• Capable of both strategic and tactical work.
• Superior organization and time-management skills.
• Ability to inspire confidence and trust: able to celebrate successes and build upon challenges.
• High integrity and commitment to goals.
• High degree of emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
• Strong problem-solving attributes.
• Reliable collaborator who instills confidence and actively builds fundraising capacity and enthusiasm across the whole organization.
• Visible, hands-on fundraiser.
• Active resource partner to others throughout the museum.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Standard museum and office environment.
• Computer and phone use.

COMPENSATION

The Asian Art Museum is committed to practicing salary transparency. The minimum salary for this position is $140,000 and the maximum salary is $180,000. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity. This opportunity includes a generous benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Fully covered medical, dental and vision insurance for employee
• 12 paid holidays (2024)
• 15 days of vacation starting
• 12 days of sick leave
• Group retirement plan starting after one year of employment

OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITMENTS

At the Asian Art Museum, we are dedicated to ideating, building, and holding ourselves accountable for Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion in everything we do. We strive to foster a culture of respect, belonging and inclusivity for all employees.
Our mission is to celebrate, preserve, and promote Asian and Asian American art and cultures for local and global audiences. We provide a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas, inviting collaboration, and fueling imagination to deepen understanding and empathy among people of all backgrounds.

Diversity of thought and experience is essential to our mission, and we are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Apply online at https://about.asianart.org/careers/. Ensuring a smooth and enjoyable candidate experience is critical for us. Application materials will be screened in relation to the criteria described. Candidates deemed to be the most highly qualified will be invited to participate in the interview process. Our interview process tends to take about 4 weeks to complete but may fluctuate depending on the role. Appointment is subject to completion of a thorough background check process.

The Asian Art Museum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories (arrest and criminal histories) consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law.