Director of Development Position Available In Indian River, Florida

Director of Development Vero Beach Museum of Art, Vero Beach Closing Date:

Sep 01,2025

BACKGROUND:

The Vero Beach Museum of Art (VBMA) first opened its doors in 1986 and has tripled in size since then to occupy 76,000 square feet in the beautiful subtropical environment of Riverside Park. VBMA is on the cusp of major expansion, breaking ground this fall for all new public spaces, indoors and out, that will create a 100,000 square foot institution opening in late 2027. This is the focus of a $111 million capital campaign that will go public in the fall. During the quiet phase of the campaign, the museum has raised $95 million to date. The new architecture is designed by Allied Works in conjunction with landscape designers Unknown Studio and will provide an unprecedented museum and gardens for the region. The new museum will expand the scope and impact of VMBA, which was recently named the best attended small museum in the nation by ReMuseum. 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 Museum is poised to grow its audiences and attendance consistent with the growth of the region. For more information about VMBA’s unique collections, exhibitions, and programs, please visit vbmuseum.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director of Development (DoD) will lead development activities for operations and play a leadership role in the public phase of the capital campaign in concert with the Executive Director, Board leaders, and CCS Fundraising (consultants). By building on the Museum’s past and current successes, and with the commitment of a dedicated and skilled staff, the DoD 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. He/she/they will serve as the primary conduit to the executive office and to the Board on major gift-related issues, deploying these key organizational leaders in strategic and carefully considered ways in order to cultivate significant targeted prospects and to ultimately close leadership gift opportunities. The DoD reports to the Executive Director, Brady Roberts, and works closely with senior staff, the Board of Trustees, and all other departments. The DoD will provide leadership, direction, vision, and inspiration for 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 create and implement strategies to achieve and increase ambitious fundraising goals.

FUNDING:

VBMA has a current annual operating budget of approximately $7.2 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’s $111 million capital campaign will go public in the fall of 2025. During the quite phase of the campaign, the Museum has raised $95 million to date.

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; proven success implementing fundraising plans and cultivating relationships for all funding streams with a history of achieving relevant contributed income targets; direct experience leading and expanding a successful major gifts program as well as 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; track record of innovation and advancing a development program; 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.