Director of Advancement

Organization Summary

Swiss Institute (“SI”) is an independent non-profit contemporary art institution dedicated to promoting forward-thinking and experimental art making through innovative exhibitions, education, and programs. Committed to the highest standards of curatorial and educational excellence, SI serves as a platform for emerging artists, catalyzes new perspectives on celebrated work, and fosters appreciation for under-recognized positions. Open to the public free-of-charge, SI is committed to being an organization that is diverse, equitable, accessible, and environmentally conscious in its work, structure, and programming.

Job Summary

The Director of Advancement is an engaging and strategic leader for SI’s development team, possessing a deep understanding and knowledge of fundraising and art world context in the US, Europe, and in Asia. She/He/They will create, direct and lead a comprehensive fundraising growth strategy with a priority on individual giving in the US and internationally, major and planned gifts, annual giving, membership, special campaigns, earned revenue, donor stewardship, Board engagement, and increasing SI’s endowment.

The Director of Advancement will lead international cultivation events and the planning and execution of SI’s two annual fundraisers, including the year-end Benefit & Auction in New York.

This position involves travel, particularly to Europe and at times Asia and Latin America. The role requires a high degree of interpersonal and in-person engagement to support SI’s current extended network of individual donors, stakeholders and partnerships; and to cultivate future donors to meet SI’s goals of contributed revenue growth and long-term financial sustainability.

In partnership with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and senior staff, the Director of Advancement will represent SI, its artists, mission, and endeavors including its exhibitions, public and educational programs, publications, residencies, international partnerships, and other initiatives including its work on institutional environmental consciousness.

This position reports to the Executive Director and collaborates closely with the Director of Partnerships & TimeForArt, the Senior Development Manager, the Development & Administrative Assistant, and fundraising consultants.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy that drives revenue growth, creates sustainable long-term funding streams, and ensures consistent long-term financial sustainability for the institution

• Identify, cultivate, and successfully solicit transformational gifts from a diverse group of donors, foundations, corporations, and mission-aligned prospects, while creating a comprehensive donor relations plan with clearly defined goals, objectives, and timelines

• Direct and prioritize fundraising research, including cultivation, prospect identification, new donor profiles, and other support materials, to ensure successful donor interactions around institutional giving, and growing the endowment

• Manage, support, and further engage SI’s current extensive individual donor network

• Identify and cultivate new supporters and donors specifically related to SI’s exhibitions and institutional initiatives in New York and internationally

• Establish and manage annual solicitation goals for the Board and various councils

• Direct the planning and execution of two annual fundraising Benefits, one in Switzerland, one in NY

• Direct the planning and execution of membership events, in NY and internationally

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and senior staff on special events and earned income initiatives, such as institution-related auctions

• Oversee the development department’s administrative and organizational responsibilities ensuring gift processing, documentation, solicitation letters, and database entries are completed at a high level of quality and that deadlines are met

• Develop and manage departmental budgets and cash flow projections with the Associate Director, and the finance management firm.

• Improve data management of current donor database and outreach

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of fundraising experience securing major gifts in a museum or other nonprofit cultural organization with operational budgets of at least $5 million

• Bachelor’s degree required

• Affinity with the mission of SI

• Proven success developing and executing short- and long-term fundraising strategies, including donor cultivation, contributed revenue growth, management, and preferably capital campaigns

• Experience developing and managing institutional budgets of up to $5 million

• Knowledge of US and European art world funding and context

• Knowledge of current prospect research, databases, and best practices around development

• Exceptional communication, analytic, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to dynamically translate SI’s mission to multiple stakeholders and funders

• Experience leading, managing, and motivating a fundraising team

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Bloomerang, Mailchimp, and other pertinent database and CRM systems

• Proficiency in multiple languages desired

Compensation

The Director of Development is a full-time, exempt position with required work outside of scheduled office hours. Local and international travel is required.

The salary range for the position is $115,000 - $130,000.

SI offers a competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision coverage; a health reimbursement account (HRA), 401k account, commuter benefits, and generous paid time off.

Requirements

Additional Requirements

Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background and reference check. You must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Application Instructions

To Apply

Please email a cover letter and résumé to jobs@swissinstitute.net with your name and “Director of Advancement” in the subject line. We will only contact candidates selected for further consideration.

No phone inquiries please.

SI is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from BIPOC, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented applicants. SI considers all candidates for employment regardless of race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, sexual and reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by law.