ABOUT THE CONCORD MUSEUM
From “the shot heard round the world” to the writings of the Transcendentalists, from the antislavery movement to innovations in education and agriculture, from the first indigenous people to contemporary trailblazers – the town of Concord has been fertile soil for legendary acts of self-expression and social progress.
This is an exciting moment for the Concord Museum. Founded in 1886 and housing one of the most treasured collections of American material culture and decorative arts in the country, the Museum recounts stories from Concord’s remarkable past. With newly redesigned permanent galleries and a new Education Center, the Museum is well-positioned to launch itself into the future.
In 2017, the Museum completed The Campaign for the Concord Museum, a $13 million capital campaign to fund the construction of a new 12,900 square-foot Education Center that dramatically expands the Museum’s capacity to serve schoolchildren and adults with three new classrooms, a multipurpose Lyceum space, and an innovative History Learning Center for teaching directly from objects. In 2021, the Museum completed an additional $3 million New Museum Experience fundraising initiative that funded the complete redesign and fabrication of all new dynamic and multi-media installations of the permanent galleries. The recent renovations have resulted in expanded and modernized collections storage, new mechanical systems, and improved galleries that enable the Museum to better care for and display its exceptional collections.
Additionally, as the country prepares for a series of events to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, all eyes will be on Concord in 2025 as the place where the Revolutionary War was ignited. The Museum will play a vital convening role for this important moment with extensive exhibitions and public programming.
The Museum is governed by a 26-member Board of Governors, with a 66-member advisory Board of Trustees and over 200 active volunteers. The Museum’s Edward W. Kane Executive Director, Lisa Krassner, started in September 2022 and brings new insights, energy, and a wealth of leadership experience from nearly 25 years at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; and the American Museum of Natural History. The organization recently announced its next five-year strategic plan, and the new Director of Advancement will utilize the plan to drive revenue growth and significantly impact the Museum’s mission.
The Museum has an annual budget of approximately $2.9 million and the endowment is currently approximately $7.5 million. The Concord Museum has a talented and dedicated staff of 15 full-time employees and 30 part-time staff.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
As a member of the Museum’s senior management team, the Director of Advancement will work closely with the Museum’s Executive Director, Board of Governors, Trustees, volunteers, and key internal and external stakeholders to cultivate giving from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government sources and build awareness of the Museum and its mission. They will help forge new relationships to build the Museum’s visibility, impact, and financial resources. The Director of Advancement will expand the Museum’s individual donor base/pipeline and work closely with other team members to secure funding for new initiatives, systematically and effectively strengthening the Museum’s overall fundraising capacity.
Candidates will be highly motivated with strong diplomatic skills and emotional intelligence in interacting with diverse constituencies and significant partners. They will have superior communication skills engaging with a range of audiences, including volunteers, staff, business and community leaders, and the public. A management approach that is accessible, collaborative, and empowering must be demonstrated by results-oriented accountability and balance. The position oversees one full-time staff member (the Senior Development Officer), has the support of a Development Coordinator, and works closely with key members of the Museum staff to achieve the Museum’s goals. They will demonstrate a commitment to growing the Museum’s DEAI initiatives and a commitment to increasing the diversity among the Museum’s staff, Board, and membership.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESS, AND INCLUSION
The Museum is committed to preserving the artifacts that recount Concord’s complex history and by offering educational programs that shine light on once-hidden stories. In December 2021, the Board of Governors adopted a statement and action plan that underscores the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.
Oppression is woven throughout the history of the land now known as Concord. The colonists who lived here did so, in part, to escape the religious persecution they faced in England. They, in turn, oppressed the Indigenous communities who had lived in this area once called Musketaquid. While fighting a war for their own liberty, many revolutionary households were enslaving Africans. In more contemporary times, Concord continues to confront the mistreatment of marginalized groups in our midst and in our world.
Some recent progress and ongoing efforts include: working with leaders of local tribal communities whose voices are featured prominently in the new People of Musketaquid gallery; all front-line staff who interact with the public and who provide interpretation of the galleries attend extensive training to be aware of unconscious bias and are educated in the appropriate use of language and terminology related to conveying this history; and creating a paid summer internship in collaboration with The Robbins House for students of color passionate about museums and public history.
To read the full statement and action plan (link): Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion statement.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Advancement will:
- Develop, oversee, and implement a comprehensive and effective advancement strategy that increases financial support and funds initiatives within the Museum’s strategic plan
- Manage the overall activities of the department including major gifts, planned giving, annual fund, special events, grants and sponsorships, and other activities
- Serve as a strategic and innovative thought partner and member of the leadership team to secure necessary funding for exhibitions and programs that are vital to community engagement and the reputation of the Museum
- Pursue a $1 million fundraising campaign to support projects for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution
- Subsequent to the 250th campaign, oversee a feasibility study and campaign to grow the endowment and ensure greater financial sustainability
- Significantly expand major gifts income, grow the donor base/pipeline, manage a major gifts portfolio of approximately 150 individuals, and solicit major gifts
- Staff the Development Committee and the Nominating Committee of the Board and leverage their expertise and goodwill to further our fundraising and leadership efforts
- Take a strategic approach to special events and stewardship to engage our many audiences
- Strengthen corporate fundraising efforts to support exhibits and educational initiatives
- Develop and implement a robust planned giving program aimed at increasing support and cultivating deeper ties with donors
- Identify, write, and manage government, foundation, and private fundraising proposals and grants
- Research funding sources and trends to help position the Museum ahead of major funding changes and trends
- Collaborate with the Executive Director, Board of Governors, and other volunteers on all fundraising activities
- Oversee one full-time direct report (Senior Development Officer).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES
The Concord Museum seeks a Director of Advancement with:
- An affinity for the Concord Museum’s mission, collection, and programs and a passion to positively impact the organization’s long-term success
- A proven fundraising track-record of achieving revenue goals with significant experience and demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and successfully closing leadership gifts ($25K+)
- Experience in program areas, including major gifts; capital campaigns; planned giving; special events; and corporate, foundation, and government support
- Strong strategic leadership skills
- Experience working closely with Board leadership and top volunteers
- An ability to build long-term relationships and effectively relate to a wide range of constituencies
- An ability to create and implement an annual development plan; experience in setting, forecasting, and achieving departmental goals
- Superior organizational and time-management skills with exceptional attention to detail
- Proven success in a complex and fast-paced environment
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
- The ability to be highly self-motivated, balancing independent work and team collaboration
- High level of integrity and sound judgment
- Excellent technology and fundraising database skills.
A bachelor’s degree is required for this position. At least five years of fundraising experience in a management role is preferred, as is a master’s degree.
The successful candidate may work a hybrid remote and in-person schedule as needed.
The Concord Museum is an equal opportunity employer and encourages a diverse pool of candidates.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The Concord Museum offers a competitive and equitable compensation package, with an anticipated annual salary range between $115,000 to $125,000. Employee benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays; health and life insurance; and a voluntary 403(b) retirement plan.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the successful candidate has been selected. All inquiries will be held in confidence.
To apply for this position, please send a resume and cover letter to jobs@concordmuseum.org.
