Director, Development

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego: Director, Development

Department: Advancement

Reports to:  Chief Advancement Officer

Employee Status: Full-time, Exempt

Primary Work Location: La Jolla, On-Site

Pay Range: $109,369 – $115,125

Apply By: COB, May 24, 2026

JOB SUMMARY:  The Director, Development, is a results-driven Development leader responsible for supporting the fundraising strategy as defined by the Chief Advancement Officer and overseeing day-to-day operations across individual giving, institutional giving, membership, and sponsorship. This position manages team performance to achieve fiscal year goals and advance organizational priorities. The Director, Development, supports the mission and vision throughout the performance of their duties.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Support the CAO in executing fundraising strategy, managing a team of front-line fundraisers to ensure that KPIs and other performance benchmarks are met, including monitoring prospect movement, tracking performance metrics, and ensuring accurate and consistent reporting across the development team.
• Lead Annual Fund growth by driving donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades, and use performance data to strengthen pipeline and long-term donor value.
• In partnership with the CAO, own annual contributed revenue goals across individual giving, membership, and institutional giving.
• Manage a portfolio of leadership donors to MCASD, including both established donors and prospects.
• Lead, support, and develop Development staff, through recruitment, mentorship, and performance feedback, to strengthen and sustain a high-performing fundraising team.
• Oversee Manager, Membership, and ensure performance metrics are aligned to strategic institutional goals. 
• Oversee Manager, Institutional Giving, to ensure outcomes align with fiscal year goals and institutional priorities and objectives. 
• Manage Database Associate to ensure CRM integrity, reporting cadence, and team compliance with established processes and standards. 
• Cross-collaborate with Marketing Communication team to ensure effective campaign and fundraising communications.
• Work alternate special event shifts, including weekends and/or after regular business hours as needed. 
• Follow policies and procedures to ensure a safe work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:  Demonstrated experience in nonprofit fundraising with a strong understanding of major gifts, institutional giving, and campaign management. Proven ability to manage, lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams, including goal setting, monitoring performance, and driving accountability to achieve individual and organizational goals. Strong knowledge of donor pipeline management, prospect development, and moves management strategies. Experience overseeing fundraising campaigns and events, including tracking performance and evaluating return on investment. Excellent analytical and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing donor materials and reports for leadership. Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and support executive-level strategy and decision-making. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage donors, board members, community leaders, and build successful cross-departmental relationships with stakeholders. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 10 years recent, relevant experience or any equivalent education and experience. Knowledge of contemporary art preferred.

OUR WORK CULTURE:  MCASD provides employees with a collaborative work culture where they can combine both their love and support of the arts and work in an enriching and diverse environment while further developing their specific professional knowledge, skills, and abilities.

ABOUT MCASD: It is an exciting time to join MCASD! Our La Jolla campus re-opened in April 2022 after a five-year expansion effort that doubled the building’s overall size. We are positioned to be a cultural beacon as the region’s foremost forum devoted to the exploration and presentation of the art of our time. Beautifully located on the coast, MCASD provides an unprecedented variety of exhibition spaces and experiences for the community, showcasing an internationally recognized collection and a dynamic schedule of exhibitions and public programs.

BACKGROUND CHECKS AND LICENSING:  Professional references, credit check, education check, and criminal background check.

EOE STATEMENT: We thrive by supporting and celebrating our diversity as a creative andcollaborative team. MCASD prohibits discrimination and harassment against individuals based on race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, reproductive health decisions, medical condition, covered veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.