Description

The Whitney Museum of American Art seeks a Director of Major and Principal Gifts to play a pivotal role in expanding philanthropic support in service of its mission to champion living artists, welcome broad audiences, and create dynamic experiences that foster creativity, community, and the exchange of new ideas.

About the Whitney

The Whitney Museum of American Art, "the Whitney," founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years.

The Whitney Museum of American Art presents, collects, and inspires dialogue around art of the United States from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. We champion living artists, welcome broad audiences, and create dynamic experiences that foster creativity, community, and the exchange of new ideas.

Position Overview

The Director of Major and Principal Gifts is a senior member of the Advancement team who will provide strategic leadership in securing significant philanthropic support for the Whitney. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the Director will develop and implement a comprehensive major gifts strategy to grow and manage a portfolio of individual donors capable of contributing six-figure gifts and above.

The Director will have the opportunity to hire and supervise two Major Gift Officers, as well as a Major Gifts Assistant, and will be responsible for guiding and coaching them in effective portfolio management. In addition to team leadership, the Director will personally manage a portfolio of high-level donors with the capacity to make gifts at the six- and seven-figure level.

Working in close partnership with Museum leadership, colleagues in other departments, and the Board, the Director will play a central role in advancing upcoming major initiatives that will support the Whitney's ambitious artistic, educational, and capital priorities.

Core Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the CAO, develop an overarching strategy for major gift fundraising at the Whitney, including major philanthropic support for exhibitions, the endowment, education, capital projects, and other strategic priorities
• Hire, coach, and manage a team of three, including two high-performing MGOs and a Major Gifts Assistant
• In collaboration with the Director of Advancement Operations, manage regular portfolio reviews and pipeline health, and create reports and analysis to monitor related metrics
• Exemplify strong major donor management by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting a portfolio of individual donors at the 6-7 figure level
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Individual Giving, the Director of Advancement Operations, the membership team, and prospect researchers to develop a robust pipeline of major gift prospects
• Ensure that Museum leaders (staff and Board) are effectively prepared to engage and solicit key donors
• Promote a strong donor stewardship experience that encourages donor retention and upgrades
• Attend key patron group-, acquisition committee-, museum-, and external art world events to build and steward relationships with donors and prospects

Additional Responsibilities

• Create systems for tracking progress toward goals in partnership with the Director of Advancement Operations
• Stay current with industry best practices for fundraising and donor relationship management
• Lead and coordinate relevant trainings and professional development opportunities for the Major Gifts team on moves management, relationship-building, industry trends, and goal setting
• Build a library of major gift process documentation, in partnership with the Director of Advancement Operations
• Oversee team budget in partnership with Chief Advancement Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Requirements

• 8-10+ years' experience in nonprofit advancement/major gifts fundraising; experience in museums or cultural institutions a plus
• 3+ years of experience leading, mentoring, and coaching fundraisers, with a track record of driving performance and professional growth
• Proven track record of soliciting and securing six-figure+ gifts
• Proven ability to manage donor information with discretion
• Expert written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate the Whitney's mission to a broad audience
• Demonstrated ability to craft compelling proposals, donor correspondence, and other fundraising materials
• Collaborative team player who excels at partnering with colleagues
• Ability to work evening and occasional weekend events, as well as travel domestically and internationally
• Data-driven with a comfort level in leveraging Raiser's Edge or another CRM
• Self-starter with the ability to multitask and prioritize requests
• Strong organizational skills
• Bachelor's Degree

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range is $175,000 - $185,000, commensurate with experience
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance; 403(b) elections
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Commuter benefits - parking and mass transit
• Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally
• Pet insurance and discounted membership for Citi Bike


The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, pregnancy, partnership status, caregiver status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, predisposition, or carrier status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

The Whitney has retained Orr Group to conduct this search. Please direct all inquiries, interest, and nominations to the Orr Group search team.



Jesse Bryan

Vice President

Orr Group

jbryan@orrgroup.com



About Orr Group

Orr Group is a strategic partner to nonprofit organizations, offering comprehensive fundraising and executive recruitment support that advances mission, maximizes philanthropic potential, and builds long-term sustainability. We specialize in the business of philanthropy, helping our partners drive results through data-informed strategies, embedded team members, and hands-on implementation.

To apply, visit https://grnh.se/2qi98d663us





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