BACKGROUND: The Vero Beach Museum of Art (VBMA)
was founded in 1978 as the Center for the Arts and has grown
rapidly over the years. In 1986, the doors of a new building opened
for the first time, and in 1999, the Museum increased the size of
the facility to a total of 54,000 square feet. In 2002, its name
was changed to the Vero Beach Museum of Art and additional growth
came in 2007 and again in 2011-2012 with the creation of the Alice
and Jim Beckwith Sculpture Park, a covered Atrium, new entrance
vestibule, and a 20,000 square foot Exhibitions and Collections
wing. Today, the VBMA comprises nearly 76,000 square feet of space,
seven acres of grounds including the Sculpture Park, and a 12,000
square-foot Museum Art School facility.
VBMA serves over 78,000 visitors annually, reflecting its
seasonal, national, and international visitors and year-round
resident community. Its diverse programs include changing
exhibitions, film and international lecture series, and robust
educational programs. The state-of-the-art Museum Art School
facility annually serves 10,000 budding artists of all ages.
The Board of Trustees and the Executive Director are in the
first stages of a $91 million capital campaign and are developing
plans for a new museum that will double the gallery space to 22,000
square feet. The campus expansion and renovation are expected to be
completed by fall 2027 and will transform the museum and its
seven-acre gardens. For more information about VMBA’s unique
collections, exhibitions, and programs, please visit vbmuseum.org.
THE OPPORTUNITY: The Director of Development
(DoD) is a senior leadership role that has primary responsibility
for VMBA’s development and advancement efforts, including but not
limited to membership and donor relations, fundraising and
sponsorships, special events, major gift solicitation, endowment
and capital campaigns, annual grant writing, planned giving,
foundation and government funding, and volunteer management.
He/she/they will lead the department, prioritize development
practices, leverage existing partnerships, and cultivate new
relationships to achieve strategic goals.
The DoD will be a frontline major gift solicitor, comfortable
managing an active portfolio of donors and prospects, and will
serve as the primary conduit to the executive office and to the
Board on major gift-related issues. The DoD reports to the
Executive Director, Brady Roberts, and works closely with senior
staff and the Board of Trustees. Reporting to the DoD will be a
team of four.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the collegial VBMA team
and community in a leadership role at a pivotal moment in the
Museum’s history, and to build upon VBMA’s current success to
increase and achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
FUNDING: VBMA has a current annual operating
budget of approximately $6.6 million and a staff of 64. Sources of
income include individual philanthropy, foundations, corporations,
membership, special events, Gala, and planned giving. The balance
is generated from programs, endowment, and other assets. VBMA is
one year into the quiet phase of a $91 million campaign to support
the current expansion project.
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Passion for the VBMA mission and the ability to hold meaningful
conversations and foster relationships with prospective donors,
collectors, curators, and other stakeholders. - Substantial leadership experience within a sophisticated
fundraising operation, preferably in a museum or other cultural
institution. - Direct experience leading and expanding a successful major
gifts program as well as a robust membership, grants, donor
relations, capital, endowment, and special events programs. - Demonstrated success as a frontline major gift solicitor at the
six- and seven-figure level. - History of identifying and engaging new communities of
prospective donors. - Ability to partner effectively with an Executive Director and
extensive experience working with an engaged board. - Knowledge of the regional and national philanthropic
communities. - Proven leadership and management capabilities and a strong
record of recruiting and developing exceptional people and
fostering a transparent, collegial work environment. - Experience across digital and social as well as traditional
platforms to extend development outreach. - Ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively and to
deliver effective, consistent messages and presentations. - Sound financial acumen and knowledge of budget preparation,
monitoring, and administration. - Knowledge of common business software and with commonly used
fundraising prospect management tools including Raiser’s Edge. - Ability and willingness to attend evening and weekend events
and activities on a regular basis and to serve as a highly visible
ambassador for VBMA in the local community and beyond. - Bachelor’s degree is required.
The compensation range for this role is $160,000-$200,000
commensurate with experience and accomplishments, plus an
attractive benefits package.
Howe-Lewis International is pleased to assist VMBA with this
exciting search. To apply via the Howe-Lewis Talent Portal
please click
here. You may also email your resume and letter of interest to
kirk@howe-lewis.com
