The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), the city’s oldest fine arts institution, seeks an experienced, enterprising, and nimble professional to serve as the organization’s Director of Major and Planned Giving (Director). 

Reporting to, and working closely with, the museum’s Chief Development Officer (CDO), the Director is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting a portfolio of major and planned giving prospects for NOMA. The ideal candidate will be a strategic, creative thinker with exceptional communication skills and a record of demonstrated success in direct fundraising solicitations of $100K+, with an emphasis on blended annual/endowment/planned gift asks. 

THE ROLE

In terms of essential job functions, the Director will:

• Collaborate with the CDO to create and implement a comprehensive plan to identify, solicit, and steward major gift donors with the goal of increasing levels of support. 
• Develop, cultivate, and secure major gifts in support of exhibitions and programs with a focus on blended asks for annual, endowment, and planned gifts.
• Actively manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major donors, advancing effective relationships with assigned prospects toward the goal of appropriate major gift solicitation to achieve annual fundraising targets. Maintain an annual level of at least 120 appointments, in addition to other significant prospect moves. 
• Support senior leadership of NOMA and the Board of Trustees as required in their efforts to secure support for institutional priorities.
• Ensure that all donor relationship information is recorded in donor database.
• Manage ongoing donor communication through written and electronic correspondence.
• Collaborate regularly with curatorial, education, membership and marketing staff to further effectively communicate the museum’s mission and funding opportunities to donors.
• Plan and implement planned giving initiatives and outreach with donors and prospects.

THE CANDIDATE

The most competitive contenders for the Director role will possess a solid combination of the following traits and experiences:

• Excellent organizational, leadership and interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent knowledge of fundraising strategies and principles
• Proven record of soliciting and closing gifts of $100K+
• Ability to take initiative, think strategically, collaborate with others, promote teamwork and creativity
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities
• Ability to be a team leader and/or team member who can ensure that NOMA staff unite around identification, cultivation and solicitation plans
• Effective project management skills and demonstrated ability to work in a demanding environment
• Results-driven with the aptitude for resourceful problem-solving
• Strong computer skills, particularly in MS Word and Excel, and in donor database programs (Tessitura, et al.)
• Ability to handle confidential records and sensitive donor information with discretion
• Availability to attend evening and weekend events
• Knowledge of planned giving principles and practices
• Endowment and capital campaign experience preferred
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Minimum five to seven years’ fund development experience with at least three years of direct solicitation experience, preferably in a cultural institution

SALARY, LOCATION, AND BENEFITS

Salary for the position is commensurate with experience; the salary range starts at $83,000. NOMA offers a competitive benefits package. The Director must be located in, or willing to relocate to, the Greater New Orleans area.

TO APPLY

To express interest in the Director of Major and Planned Giving opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume to NOMA HR Director Seandra Buchanan at sbuchanan@noma.org. No calls, please.