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.

To apply, click here or visit howe-lewis.com and click on the “Assignments” tab on the top menu.