Position Summary The Orlando Museum of Art is seeking a Development Manager to help strengthen and grow the Museum's fundraising program at an important point in its development. Reporting to the Executive Director and CEO and working closely with senior staff, the Development Manager will play a hands-on role in building the relationships and practices that support OMA's philanthropic future.
The Development Manager will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing strategies to secure major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and planned gifts in alignment with OMA's mission and strategic priorities. The role will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual and corporate donors, with a particular focus on building meaningful, long-term relationships that deepen engagement and encourage increased philanthropic investment in the Museum, its programs, and its future.
The Development Manager will manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects and develop sponsorship opportunities for exhibitions, educational programs, and institutional initiatives. The position will also help strengthen and formalize OMA's development systems and practices, creating a stronger foundation for sustainable, long-term fundraising growth.
This is an opportunity for a development professional who brings both strong relationship-building skills and the organization, initiative, and follow-through needed to turn those relationships into lasting support for the Museum.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Major Gift Fundraising - Develop and execute a comprehensive major gifts strategy to meet and exceed annual fundraising goals.
- Build and actively manage a portfolio of major donor prospects and supporters.
- Proactively identify and qualify new prospects; cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors with the capacity to make major gifts, with emphasis on increasing gift levels over time.
- Develop and implement strategies to advance donor relationships and secure major gifts.
- Partner with the Executive Director and CEO on donor strategies, prospect engagement, solicitation plans, and stewardship activities.
- Schedule and coordinate donor visits, cultivation meetings, and solicitation activities for Museum leadership.
- Conduct prospect research and maintain accurate donor records, cultivation plans, solicitation strategies, and call reports within the Museum's donor database.
Corporate Sponsorships - Develop and grow corporate sponsorship revenue for exhibitions, educational initiatives, community programs, and Museum operations.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate partners and sponsors throughout the region and nationally.
- Create compelling sponsorship packages and benefits that align corporate objectives with Museum programs and strategic priorities.
Donor Relations & Stewardship - Oversee donor recognition, stewardship, and relationship management programs to ensure meaningful donor experiences and long-term engagement.
- Develop meaningful donor cultivation and recognition opportunities, including donor receptions, stewardship gatherings and other donor-focused activities.
- Prepare and coordinate timely and effective donor communications, acknowledgments, solicitation correspondence, and impact reporting.
- Maintain regular correspondence and personal engagement with donors to strengthen relationships and increase philanthropic support.
Strategic Leadership & Operations - Work collaboratively with the Executive Director and CEO to establish annual and long-range fundraising goals and strategies.
- Develop and maintain effective development systems, procedures, calendars, and processes to support the Museum's fundraising priorities.
- Maintain accurate and timely donor information within the Museum's donor database, including consistent tracking of prospect and donor activity.
- Prepare periodic fundraising reports for leadership.
- Collaborate with the Accounting Department to reconcile donor giving records and maintain accurate fundraising reports.
- Work with marketing and communications staff to ensure development priorities are effectively represented in Museum communications and promotional materials.
- Stay informed on best practices in museum fundraising, philanthropy, sponsorship development, and donor engagement.
- Represent the Museum at community, philanthropic, and business functions as appropriate.
Key Qualifications Experience & Education - Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree a plus.
- Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, preferably within a museum, arts, cultural, educational, or nonprofit organization.
- Demonstrated success securing and managing major gifts and corporate sponsorships.
- Experience developing and implementing donor cultivation and stewardship strategies that strengthen relationships and produce measurable fundraising results.
- Experience working with executive leadership, boards, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
Skills & Expertise - Proven ability to solicit and secure major gifts and sponsorships.
- Strong relationship-building, networking, and donor engagement skills.
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
- Experience with donor databases, preferably Blackbaud Raiser's Edge.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
- Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality regarding donor information.
- Ability to work effectively with donors, trustees, volunteers, community leaders, and staff in a collaborative team environment.
Professional Attributes - Professional, confident, and relationship-oriented.
- Self-motivated and results-driven.
- Highly organized with strong follow-through.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to execute effectively.
- Positive, flexible, and adaptable.
- Demonstrates professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment in all interactions.
Work Environment This is a full-time, on-site position based at the Orlando Museum of Art. The role requires regular interaction with museum staff, donors, members, board members, volunteers, community partners, and other constituents. The position is primarily performed in a professional office and museum environment, with occasional work in galleries, event spaces, and other areas of the museum as needed.
The position may require occasional evening and weekend work to support museum events, donor activities, and other organizational priorities. Some local travel may also be required for meetings, events, and cultivation activities.
Compensation & Benefits The salary range for this position is
$80,000-$90,000 , with benefits including group health insurance and access to a cafeteria plan and 401(k) after two months of employment, seven paid holidays per year, and paid time off accrued weekly beginning on the date of hire; please refer to the Orlando Museum of Art Personnel Policies for additional details.
