Employment & Volunteering Opportunities

Position : Interpreter posting closed

Job Description : The recent job posting for historical interpreters has closed. We are not accepting any more applications currently.

Contact Info : Thank you!

Position : Development Director

Job Description : The Mark Twain House & Museum welcomes applications for a Development Director who will be required to raise significant revenue. The Development Director is responsible for strategic planning for fundraising, board relations, major gifts and department oversight in order to develop and sustain the Museum’s stewardship tradition by effectively communicating the Museum’s mission, needs and priorities to donors and donor prospects at a local and national level.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

The Development Director will report to the Executive Director and have the following responsibilities:

• Identify and cultivate donor prospects including corporations, foundations, and individuals both regionally and nationally.

• Maximize the effectiveness and time management of the Executive Director by setting up meetings with key donors.

• Solicit and close endowment, capital, planned, and annual gifts of $25,000 and up.

• Outline an annual fundraising program that will meet projected annual revenue goals while fulfilling crucial objectives in the strategic plan.

• Responsible for raising a minimum of $1.2 million in annual revenue in support the museum’s operations and programs.

• Focus on annual and major gifts fundraising to expand the base of patrons to support a future endowment campaign of $20 million.

• Plan special events (e.g., annual Gala) to engage donors.

• Maintain an average of 20 contacts per month, requiring a significant number of cold calls each week. (Requires occasional weekend and evening work and some traveling.)

• Establish a proactive research program, especially for individual giving, and develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 150 - 200 key prospects/donors (local and national) for the purpose of soliciting unrestricted, current and planned major gifts.

• Identify ways to increase involvement of donors and donor prospects in the activities of the Museum, and provide appropriate stewardship for donors.

• Carefully review files prior to donor visits and write and file timely and thorough reports afterward, including acknowledgments and individual gift proposals.

• Use the Twain House assets as fundraising hooks to identify priorities for fundraising and develop goals, timelines, and supporting materials.

• Utilize performance metrics to track and analyze fundraising results.

• Maintain regular contact with donors, donor prospects, and leadership volunteers (e.g., Trustees and Development Committee).

• Work directly with the Executive Director in setting and achieving personal performance goals and preparing action plans.

• Provide written monthly activity reports and action plans.

• Participate with Development colleagues and others in regular planning meetings that facilitate initiating, developing, and implementing appropriate events, communications, activities, and campaigns.

• Oversee development budget.

• Oversee Grants Manager in planning and soliciting larger grants.

• Oversee Development Assistant in writing timely acknowledgements and other communications, maintaining database, office management, submitting sponsorship proposals, etc.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required.

Candidate must:

• be committed to the mission of the Museum,

• persuasively articulate the Museum’s mission and needs,

• possess excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills,

• understand the motivation and principles affecting fundraising,

• think broadly but with an attention to details,

• organize, establish priorities, set objectives and achieve stated goals,

• possess a high degree of creativity, initiative, and innovation with the ability to adapt to change,

• demonstrate the highest ethical standards and experience in handling confidential information, and

• demonstrate the ability to directly solicit gifts.

Preferred: Candidate should have at least five years of progressive professional experience with fundraising or sales with a particular focus on building long-term, collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Major gift experience in fundraising within a nonprofit environment is highly desirable; however consideration will be given to less experienced applicants with relative experience (e.g., sales, marketing) who are intelligent, energetic, and creative and can provide references that speak enthusiastically to their potential. Salary is commensurate with applicant’s experience and potential.

Contact Info : Application Instructions: The position is available immediately. To ensure full consideration, submit letter with resume, salary requirements, and the names and complete contact information of three professional references to: : Lynn Gregor, The Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Email: lynn.gregor@marktwainhouse.org. Fax: 860.278.8148.

Grace Belanger
call 860-280-3130 or email grace.belanger@marktwainhouse.org