Description

Position Summary

The Deputy Director for Advancement is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing the Gadsden Arts Center & Museum’s fundraising, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability. Working in close partnership with the Director/CEO, this position leads key development initiatives, oversees day-to-day internal operations, and supports strategic growth.

This position is designed for a candidate who is seeking an executive leadership role. Pending strong performance, the Deputy Director for Advancement will be developed as a leading candidate for Director/CEO, gaining increasing responsibility and organizational insight. The successful candidate must demonstrate a clear commitment to executive leadership in the nonprofit arts sector, with a sustained emphasis on fundraising as a core leadership function.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Development

      Lead donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts that focus mid-level and entry-level giving, beginning with longtime stakeholders of the museum.

      Develop and implement strategies to grow individual and corporate giving. 

      Identify, cultivate, and secure sponsorships for programs, exhibitions, and events. 

      Assist the Executive Director with grant writing, reporting, and funder relations. 

      Support the development and implementation of all fundraising events and campaigns. 

Events Leadership & Support

      Oversee the Week with the Arts planning team, managing all fundraising and development aspects of the organization’s signature January fundraising events.

      Collaborate across departments to ensure successful execution of friend-raising and revenue-generating aspects of mission-based cultural events. 

Marketing & Communications

      Provide strategic oversight of the fundraising and development aspects of Marketing.

      Collaborate with staff to ensure consistent branding, messaging, and audience engagement in relation to organizational development and fundraising through contributed and earned revenues.

      Ensure proper acknowledgement of all donors, foundations, grantors, sponsors, and other funders in relation to all museum programs, exhibitions, and events. 

Operations & Staff Support

      Oversee day-to-day staff scheduling and organizational workflow. 

      Supervise staff and support a positive, collaborative workplace culture. 

      Manage Human Resources functions, including orientation and onboarding paperwork, policy 

      Serve as the on-site manager of Gadsden Arts when the Executive Director is out of the office.

      Oversee routine maintenance, safety, and operational readiness of the museum facilities. 

      Coordinate with vendors, contractors, volunteers, and staff to ensure that buildings support programming and events effectively.  

      Assist the Executive Director with facility project research and implementation.

 
Leadership Development & Growth Expectations

      Participate in strategic planning, budgeting, and board engagement alongside the Executive Director. 

      Gain increasing responsibility for organizational leadership, decision-making, and external representation over time – the salary for this position will increase as direct responsibilities grow.

      Develop a comprehensive understanding of all museum operations, including programs, museum departments, governance, and resources. 

      Prepare to transition into an Executive Director role with a strong emphasis on fundraising leadership, donor relations, and institutional advancement. 

Requirements

Qualifications - Required

      Bachelor’s degree required.

      3+ years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or arts administration. 

      You seek a clear career trajectory toward executive leadership in the nonprofit or arts sector. 

      Commitment to fundraising as a central component of executive leadership. 

      Demonstrated success in donor cultivation and relationship management. 

      Demonstrated success in all types of community nonprofit fundraising preferred. These include annual appeals, capital campaigns, and planned gifts.

      Familiarity with grant writing and reporting.

      Experience planning and executing fundraising events. 

      Strong organizational, leadership, and project management skills. 

      Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

      Experience supervising staff 

Qualifications - Preferred

      Advanced degree or CFRE.

      5+ years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or arts administration. 

      Experience working in a management role in a museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (art, history, or other culture or humanities concentration).

      Experience with developing mission-based earned revenue programs.

      Proven success with grant writing and reporting.

      Experience managing day-to-day operations or facilities

Core Competencies

      Relationship builder with strong interpersonal skills 

      Strategic thinker with hands-on execution ability 

      Emerging executive leader with growth mindset 

      Highly organized and detail-oriented 

      Collaborative leader and team manager 

      Adaptable and solutions-focused