Director, Stewardship and Engagement

About Us :  The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago is the largest and most interactive science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) expose guests of all ages to awe-inspiring exhibitions that spark curiosity and bring science to life. MSI’s mission – to inspire the inventive genius in everyone – is realized through its world-class exhibitions and engaging guest experiences. The Museum of Science and Industry provide programs and experiences that deepen the engagement of students and teachers in science and science-related disciplines, with a vision to inspire and motivate our children to achieve their full potential in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

We offer a creative, collaborative, and innovative environment for our employees. Our employees get great perks such as: benefits starting day one of your employment, free admission to MSI for family and friends, free admission to other museums, free parking in MSI’s garage and more! If you are equally passionate about our vision and want to be surrounded by a team of dynamic, smart and innovative people, the Museum of Science and Industry is the right place for you!

The Director of Stewardship and Engagement is responsible for designing, implementing, and directing an integrated, comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program that appropriately promotes interaction and recognition of donors at all levels. The Director Stewardship and Engagement will work closely with colleagues across the organization to gather, synthesize, organize, and share Museum impact for donor and prospect presentation purposes to shape the vision for stewardship and engagement at Griffin MSI. The Director is a forward-thinking, innovative, and energetic professional with proven success in donor engagement and stewardship, capable of developing and orchestrating the implementation of a multi-year plan to advance institutional efforts.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate the quality and impact of the donor relations/stewardship program whose components include the use of gifts, recognition, events, gift agreements, management of information, and privacy compliance.
• Collaborate with other departments to create strategies for developing donor relations/stewardship standards across campus for the purpose of creating an energetic and enthusiastic culture of philanthropy.
• Partner with leadership, annually, and giving officers to identify top stewardship prospects.
• Proactively support giving officers in the design and execution of annual and multiyear stewardship plans for donors and top prospects.
• Working with Compliance Team, manage activities including, but not limited to, annual reporting of restricted endowed funds and annual gifts, scholarship matching, acknowledgments from senior leadership, and dedications, among other responsibilities.
• With the Advancement operations staff, develop a process to document and track stewardship actions.
• Serve as a creative resource in identifying and developing new methods of donor communications, such as web pages and social media.
• Oversee overall donor and stewardship communication strategy.
• Regularly review management tools to ensure regular and timely stewardship.
• Work with Advancement directors to review existing donor recognition societies and associated events to maximize impact and effectiveness.
• Collaborate and work on other events as necessary for Advancement and the Museum.
• Ensure gift acknowledgment processes remain relevant and are fulfilled.
• Address donor questions and concerns related to fund administration and beneficiaries, gift acknowledgments, and report requirements.
• Identify and collaborate on the development of digital and print communication opportunities to connect with donors.
• Facilitate the production of seminal donor communications.
• Manage the Manager of Communications and the Prospect Management and Research Specialist.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years related experience in direct and varied areas of stewardship, development, or communications, preferably in a higher education or non-profit setting .

• Experience managing a team.
• Experience working with donors, board members and volunteers.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize under deadlines.

• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of the solicitation cycle (identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship).
• Familiarity with Salesforce is a plus.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
• Strong interpersonal skills and outstanding customer service skills with proven skills of fostering effective working relationships within a team environment.

• High level of initiative and exceptional problem-solving skills.
• High level communication (both written and oral) and collaboration skills; must be able to work effectively within and across teams comprising diverse skill sets.
• Must have Microsoft Office and Project skills.
• Demonstrated high level of organizational and time management skills, ability to work in a fast-paced environment and balance multiple projects/tasks with excellence.
• A solution-oriented individual who can develop so l uti o ns for d i ff i cu l t prob l ems a n d bri n gs cl a r i ty to amb i g u o u s s i tu a t i o n s.
• Strong collaborator who s eeks out and includes others’ strengths and proactively assists team members.
• An innovator who offers/implements ideas that challenge the status quo and continually pushes the Museum to grow.
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evening special events.

Language : 

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, scripts, standard operating procedures, etc.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of guests and employees. 

Physical : 

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to speak loudly and clearly
• The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. 
• The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. 
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment : 

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

  The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $150,000.

This fulltime position is eligible for benefits including: 
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
An attractive time off program including vacation, sick, and personal days
10 Company Holidays 
401(k) plans (Traditional and Roth) including a generous employer match
Robust Voluntary benefit plans including transportation, legal, and many others
Free onsite garage parking

This position was posted on 6/30/2026

Our Inclusion and Belonging Statement

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is committed to advancing diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion across our workforce, experiences, and day-to-day operations. As Griffin MSI employees, we are each responsible for making the Museum a welcoming place externally for guests and internally for our colleagues within the scope of our roles.

Griffin MSI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, which includes providing equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.