MISSION STATEMENT: Telfair Museums offers compelling expressions of visual culture, embracing three unique buildings and three distinct collections that bridge three centuries of art and architecture. The museum develops awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the arts and serves as a dynamic cultural center connecting people of all ages and backgrounds.

BACKGROUND: Telfair Museums is the oldest public art museum in the southern United States. The legacy of one visionary Savannahian, it was founded in 1883 through the bequest of prominent local philanthropist Mary Telfair, who left her home and its furnishings to the Georgia Historical Society to be opened as a museum.

Today, Telfair Museums consists of three unique buildings: the Telfair Academy, and the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, two National Historic Landmark sites built in the early 19th century, and the contemporary Jepson Center and Telfair Children’s Art Museum. Each of the museum’s three buildings represents an innovative expression of its time and houses a collection corresponding to the era in which it was built. Together, these unique buildings and distinct collections bridge centuries of art and architecture, illustrating the continuum of art and history in Savannah. For more information, please click here.

THE OPPORTUNITY: The Director of Institutional Advancement (DIA) is a newly created senior role that has primary responsibility for Telfair’s development and advancement efforts, including but not limited to membership and donor relations, fundraising and sponsorships, special events, major and planned gifts endowment and capital campaigns, grant writing, foundation and government funding, volunteer management, and marketing and communications. The individual in this role will lead the department, prioritize development and communications practices, leverage existing and create and cultivate new relationships to achieve strategic goals of increasing philanthropic revenue and elevating the institutional profile.

The DIA 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 gifts. The DIA reports to the Executive Director/CEO Dr. David Brenneman and works closely with senior staff and the Board of Trustees. Reporting to the DIA will be a team of four: Director of Grants, Director of Events, Creative Director, and Manager of Marketing and PR.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Telfair team and community in a leadership role at a pivotal moment in the Museums’ history, and to build upon current success to take the institution to its next level of success and impact.

FUNDING: Telfair has a current annual operating budget of approximately $7.5 million, of which approximately 50% is earned and 20% is contributed. Sources of income include individual philanthropy, foundations, corporations, membership, special events, gala, and planned giving. The balance is generated from endowment and other assets.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Passion for the Telfair mission and the ability to hold meaningful conversations and foster relationships with prospective donors, collectors, curators, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in a sophisticated fundraising operation, preferably in a museum or other cultural institution.
• Direct experience leading and expanding a multi-faceted advancement program.
• Demonstrated success as a frontline major gift solicitor and an understanding of the entire range of fundraising and communications tactics and strategies.
• History of identifying and engaging new communities of prospective donors.
• Ability to partner effectively with an Executive Director and significant experience working with an engaged board.
• Knowledge of the local, 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.
• 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 conventional business software and with commonly used fundraising prospect management tools.
• Ability and willingness to attend evening and weekend events and activities on a regular basis and to serve as a highly visible ambassador for Telfair in the local community and beyond.
• Bachelor’s degree is required.

The compensation range for this role is $140,000-$160,000, commensurate with experience and accomplishments, plus an attractive benefits package.

Howe-Lewis International is pleased to assist Telfair Museums with this exciting search. Please click here to apply online via the Howe-Lewis Talent Portal. You may also email your resume and letter of interest in confidence to kirk@howe-lewis.com