Director, Donor Communications and Recognition

About the Organization 

The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869 with a dual mission of scientific research and science education, is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses more than 40 permanent exhibition halls, galleries for temporary exhibitions, the Rose Center for Earth and Space including the Hayden Planetarium, and the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. The Museum’s scientists draw on a world-class permanent collection of more than 30 million specimens and objects, some of which are billions of years old, and on one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, the Museum offers two of the only free-standing, degree-granting programs of their kind at any museum in the U.S.: the Ph.D. program in Comparative Biology and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Earth Science residency program. Visit amnh.org for more information. 

Position Overview

AMNH seeks a creative and entrepreneurial Director of Donor Communications and Recognition to join its high-performing Advancement team.

Reporting to the Vice President, Advancement Operations and Strategy, the Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of both donor recognition and public-facing donor communications at the Museum. This role ensures that donor contributions are celebrated appropriately, consistently, and strategically, while developing the guidelines and standards that shape recognition and communication practices. The Director leads the creation of public-facing donor communications that articulate and elevate philanthropic partnership with the Museum and oversees donor recognition programs to ensure contributions are acknowledged meaningfully and according to a thoughtfully developed recognition framework.

A strategic thinker and strong communicator, the Director is adept at balancing donor recognition with institutional priorities, benchmarking best practices, and aligning donor communications with the Museum’s voice, mission, and brand. This position requires exceptional judgment, writing skills, and cross-departmental collaboration to ensure donor visibility and acknowledgment are both meaningful and sustainable.

The Director will partner with frontline fundraisers and Advancement leadership to coordinate recognition and communications strategies during cultivation and solicitation. Additionally, the Director will supervise a small team, providing mentorship and ensuring excellence in output.

This is a high-impact opportunity for a results-driven donor communications leader to join a world-renowned cultural institution.

Responsibilities

Donor Recognition

• Strategically oversee and manage all aspects of donor recognition, including signage, naming, crediting, and other forms of acknowledgment across the Museum.
• Establish and maintain standards, policies, and guidelines for donor recognition and crediting to ensure consistency and alignment with institutional values.
• Track and maintain records of donor recognition, naming commitments, and related obligations.
• Partner with Operations, Legal, Exhibitions, and other Museum departments and external vendors to plan and implement recognition and signage installations.
• Serve as the departmental lead in assessing and evolving recognition practices, ensuring they reflect industry best practices and resonate with donors.
• Determine, source, and procure meaningful donor gifts that reflect the Museum’s mission and resonate with donor audiences, as needed.

Donor Communications

• Develop and craft original public-facing donor communications, including sponsorship descriptions, naming opportunity text, newsletters, website copy, and other advancement-related messaging highlighting philanthropic impact.
• Create templates, guidelines, and messaging frameworks for donor communications to ensure a unified voice.
• Collaborate with the Museum’s Communications and Marketing colleagues to align with institutional branding and external communications strategies.

Team Leadership and Management

• Supervise and mentor a small team, ensuring professional development and career enhancement.
• Identify, hire, and manage exceptional talent to meet the evolving needs and priorities of the team (one hire planned for 2026).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in advancement communications, donor relations, development, or related fields at a complex non-profit institution.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience supervising staff and fostering professional growth, creating a positive and productive work environment through collaboration, trust, and transparency.
• Demonstrated experience in advancing donor recognition policies and standards; experience managing signage, naming, or crediting initiatives in a nonprofit setting strongly preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of data-informed comprehensive communications strategy for engagement and fundraising.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and messaging skills, with the ability to distill complex information into clear and compelling original communications.
• Proven ability to manage projects involving multiple stakeholders, with attention to detail, deadlines, and institutional priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across departments and with senior leadership.

• Proficient use of Microsoft Office programs, internet applications, and fundraising databases (knowledge of and experience with Raiser’s Edge, a plus).
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and judgment in managing donor-related information.

Compensation & Benefits 

• Annual salary in the range of $150,000-165,000. Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization and depth and scope of experience.
• AMNH offers an extensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance, Retirement Plans, and PTO. Learn more at careers.amnh.org. 

Orr Group 

AMNH has retained the Orr Group to conduct this search. Please direct all inquiries and interest to the Orr Group search team. 

Jesse Bryan

Vice President

Orr Group

jbryan@orrgroup.com