Director of Advancement Operations

The Director of Advancement Operations will play a key role in cementing the Whitney’s Advancement Operations function in partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer and peer Advancement Directors. The Director is a strategic and organized leader who will implement and streamline processes to input, manage, and report on advancement activity. They will excel at deploying and refining new systems and working successfully with teams, to simplify advancement data management, prioritize prospect research and strategy, and elevate relevant insights in service of the donor experience and advancement goals. 

Responsibilities: 

• Develop protocols and practices for managing advancement data and activity in support of the Whitney’s broader fundraising objectives and needs 
• Manage prospect research strategy by partnering closely with and managing the Prospect Research Manager; ensure function operates in service of all advancement teams and routinely identifies new membership prospects for upgrade 
• Develop and elevate key advancement reports that drive decision-making for museum leadership  
• Oversee the processes for tracking art acquisitions and entering and acknowledging gifts 
• Ensure all processes related to advancement operations are clearly documented and work closely across the department to ensure consistent implementation
• Continually evaluate best practices in data management across the sector and introduce new protocols and practices at the Whitney 
• Track updates to IRS policies related to gift acceptance, processing, and acknowledgements and ensure compliance 
• Serve as a bridge between Advancement, IT, Finance, and Business Systems to assure observance of policies and coordinate reporting 
  
   

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s Degree 
• 8-10+ years' experience in nonprofit advancement; experience in museums or cultural institutions a plus 
• Significant experience with Raiser’s Edge or related software 
• Ability to develop easy-to-understand reports and systems on key advancement metrics such as retention, activity, and more 
• Experience managing and coaching others toward success 
• Collaborative, team player who excels at partnering with colleagues
• Self-starter with the ability to multi-task and prioritize requests across multiple teams 
• Strong organizational skills 
• Expert written and oral communication  

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary range is $150,000 - $175,000 and will be commensurate with experience 
• Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(b) elections 
• Generous Paid Time Off benefits 
• Commuter benefits - parking and mass transit 
• Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally 
• Pet insurance and discounted membership for Citibike 

The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors. 

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role. 

About the Whitney: 

The Whitney Museum of American Art, 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 core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today. 

EEO Statement: 

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, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, 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. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.