Description

Organization

The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience (MSJE) opened in New Orleans in 2021. The museum explores Southern Jewish history and culture and challenges visitors to expand their understanding of identity, diversity, and acceptance. MSJE, covering 13 Southern states, raised more than $10 million dollars during its initial capital campaign, more than $3 million in a recent expansion campaign, and has a growing membership of more than 700 families. Since opening, MSJE has welcomed more than 50,000 visitors from across the country and around the world. The museum has received positive coverage in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Haaretz, among other news outlets. It was voted a 10 Best New Attraction in USA Today’s Readers Poll. MSJE was recognized as Museum of the Year in 2025 by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

Position

MSJE is seeking an outstanding fundraiser to become director of development. This person will be responsible for building on the development work of MSJE through nurturing and growing relationships with current and potential funders of the museum. He or she will guide and then take charge of the philanthropic strategy and vision of the organization vital to the long-term financial stability of the museum and its mission.

This position is expected to lead a significant expansion of MSJE’s contributed revenue, growing annual fundraising from its current level to a sustainable range of $2 million to $4 million per year within three to five years.  This will be done through a combination of major gifts, board-enabled philanthropy, foundations, corporate support, and membership growth.

The director of development will report to the executive director and will supervise a membership & grants manager as well as a marketing and communications manager. He or she will be a key part of the senior management team and will work closely with the board of directors, the board’s development committee, and MSJE’s donor base.

Initial priorities will include assessment of the current donor base, development systems, and board engagement practices, followed by the implementation of a multi-year growth plan.

Responsibilities

•          Designing and executing a comprehensive development program that includes annual giving, major gifts, foundation and corporate support, planned giving, and campaign-level initiatives.
•          Managing a portfolio of existing major-gift-level individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects. Researching and identifying prospects for new potential sources of funding.
•          Cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts through relationship building and effective donor and prospect management.
•          Partnering with board members and a development committee to establish clear fundraising expectations, support board member solicitation activity, and strengthen a culture of philanthropy across board leadership.
•          Maintaining a donor stewardship and recognition program for major donors to the museum.
•          Leading donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activity in New Orleans and select cities across the south and nationally, as appropriate.
•          Coordinating and participating in fundraising meetings and events in strategically selected cities.
•          Performing other duties as assigned to meet the needs of MSJE’s fundraising efforts.

Preferred Experience

•          Deep understanding of and commitment to the mission of MSJE, with the ability to articulate its case for support.
•          Experience is soliciting major gifts (6-figure level and above) from individuals, as well as experience in fundraising from corporate sponsors and family foundations.
•          Experience in prospect identification, relationship building, prospect portfolio management, and solicitation of prospects for a nonprofit.
•          Experience and success in developing and executing fundraising campaigns.
•          Basic understanding of donor and prospect record management systems, preferably Donor Perfect.
•          Ability and willingness to travel to meet prospects and donors around the U.S.
•          Commitment to maintaining strict confidentiality with access to sensitive private information.

Qualifications

•          Bachelor’s degree is required, graduate degree preferred.
•          Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising. Applicants with relevant experiences in for profit enterprises will also be considered. 

Compensation

Competitive salary with full slate of benefits based on experience. Compensation structure may include performance-based incentives, subject to organizational policy. This is a full-time position preferably located in New Orleans, with flexible work schedule. Applicants unable to live in New Orleans will be considered. 

The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

To apply, send resume with cover letter in one PDF to info@msje.org with subject line Director of Development Search.