Director of Special Projects

Director Of Special Projects

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) seeks a Director of Special Projects to serve within the Development Section of the Administration Division. As a key member of the development team, the Director of Special Projects will support fundraising and engagement initiatives through communications, membership management, donor stewardship, events, and project management.

Responsibilities include managing and stewarding the Two Mississippi Museums membership program, including member recruitment, renewals, communications, benefits, and engagement. The Director will develop and implement strategies to increase membership, improve retention and renewals, and strengthen long-term member engagement, particularly in preparation for the Two Mississippi Museums' tenth anniversary. Membership performance will be monitored through data analysis and trend evaluation to inform strategies for growth, retention, and engagement. The Director will also help develop and implement a sustainable corporate membership program designed to expand relationships with businesses and strengthen long-term support for MDAH.

The Director will support planning and executing development-related meetings, donor events, and cultivation opportunities. Responsibilities include coordinating event communications, timelines, logistics, materials, and follow-up, as well as creating meaningful engagement opportunities that strengthen relationships with donors, members, corporate partners, and prospective supporters. Support for fundraising communications will include developing and designing proposals, letters, presentations, reports, sponsorship materials, solicitations, and other materials. The Director will help prepare the development team for donor meetings and conversations by developing talking points, presentations, and other supporting materials. All development communications will be reviewed for accuracy, professionalism, visual appeal, and consistency with the branding of the Foundation for Mississippi History and MDAH. The Director will identify opportunities to strengthen fundraising communications and enhance the overall donor experience.

Serving as a strategic thought partner to the development team, the Director will identify opportunities to strengthen communications, membership, donor engagement, and external relationships. The role will require establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with colleagues across MDAH, donors, corporate partners, board members, and other stakeholders. The Director will coordinate across divisions to gather information, align priorities, and advance development initiatives. The Director will communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of internal and external audiences, exercise sound judgment, assess situations appropriately, and determine when to involve the appropriate individuals. The Director will follow through on requests and commitments, communicate proactively, manage expectations, and keep projects and initiatives on track and aligned with established priorities and deadlines.

What you'll need to be successful: A strategic thinker and strong communicator who can move comfortably between big-picture planning and detailed execution. This position requires excellent writing and organizational skills, sound judgment, strong follow-through, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines. The ideal candidate is adaptable, resourceful, personable, and able to respond confidently when priorities or plans change. Experience with graphic design and design software is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications: This position typically requires a bachelor's degree and at least two to four years of experience. Graphic design experience and proficiency with design software are preferred.