About Us: The 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) exposes 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 provides 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 Job: The Director, External Affairs is responsible for managing the major giving and individual donor programs. This role leads a team of frontline fundraisers who will be responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors making gifts from $1,000 up to multi-million, multi-year commitments. 

Responsibilities

• Mange a portfolio of Trustees and major gift donors, spending at least 50% of their time on donor visits and outreach.
• Build and support a team of fundraisers to support institutional growth in the next campaign.
• Develop and submit major gift requests to individuals, and sometimes their private foundations or corporations, with a focus on donors giving five to eight-figure gifts.
• Evaluate and expand individual giving and stewardship programs for Annual Fund ($1,000 annually) and Rosenwald Society (planned giving).
• Support the President's Council, an advisory board of the museum.
• Support all fundraising events including annual fund events, special major donor events, Columbian Ball, Black Creativity, and other events as needed.
• Prepare fundraising reports and budget projections as requested.
• Develop strategies for the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major giving prospects.
• Implement best practice moves management systems to develop the donor pipeline.
• Develop a comprehensive stewardship program to recognize and show gratitude to donors.
• In collaboration with the Director of Annual Giving and Membership and Director of Development (corporate and foundation), create a comprehensive events and communications and outreach plan for donor development.
• Evaluate and recommend research tools to support the development of portfolios.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and ten years' experience in fundraising with six plus years of management experience required.
• Exceptional communication skills both orally and written to communicate in a dynamic and engaging way.
• Values kindness and acts with respect and empathy.
• Willingness to collaborate and communicate kindly and clearly with colleagues.
• Robust history of securing major gifts, seeking out new relationships, directing the cultivation and stewardship process.
• Thoughtful manager that sets clear expectations and supports a team to achieve its goals.
• Excellent organizational skills to managing multiple competing priorities.
• Proven manager who leads with kindness and ensures communication in all forms are always done in a respectful, collaborative, and empathetic way.
• Demonstrable skills for successfully preparing proposals and securing major gifts.
• Experience setting informed development goals and plans to achieve goals.
• Demonstrated ability to building strong and sustaining giving programs.
• Passionate about STEAM education and inspiring the next generation of inventive genius.
• Must be able to work occasional evening or weekend events.
• Some travel required.
• Language:
  • Ability to read and interpret document, write routine reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees of the organization.
• Mathematical:
  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, pro-ration, etc.
• Reasoning:
  • ​​​​​​​Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concreate variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
  • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Physical:
  • ​​​​​​​While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
  • The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
  • The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch.
  • The employee must 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.

Our DEAI Mission

The Museum of Science and Industry is committed to advancing diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion across our workforce, experiences, and day-to-day operations. As 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.

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.