Development Officer

Development Officer | Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Our Culture:
The mission of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is to connect people to the marine environment, inspiring a more sustainable future.  With over 633,000 guests in fiscal year 2025, the Virginia Aquarium is the third most visited cultural attraction in the Commonwealth of Virginia and aspires to be a driver in conservation, education, tourism and sustainability - leading the charge to save wildlife and their ecosystems.

Position Overview:
The Development Officer provides executive leadership for all fundraising and philanthropic initiatives at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a key member of the leadership team, the Development Officer develops and executes strategies to expand and diversify revenue across all giving portfolios, including major gifts, planned giving, corporate partnerships, endowments, annual fund, and capital campaigns.

This role directs the overall development function and staff, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and strategic priorities while fostering a culture of philanthropy to support long-term institutional growth. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in leading a high-performing development program, cultivating transformational gifts, and advancing mission-driven organizations through strategic fundraising initiatives.

Essential Functions include:

• Direct the fundraising activities of the Virginia Aquarium, including major gifts, corporate and foundation grants, annual and capital campaigns, planned giving and special events.
• Guide and support Board fundraising activities.
• Supervise development staff.
• Provide development training to staff to build a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
• Coordinate and support Executive Director's fundraising efforts, including prospect outreach efforts, meeting preparation and follow-up, strategy development, pipeline management and gift proposals.

Organizational Structure & Mission

• Public-private partnership between the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation
• The Foundation handles annual and capital fundraising, animal populations, exhibits, the Stranding Response Program, conservation, scientific research, and mission-related education programs

Impact & Scale

• Generating $257 million in economic impact for Virginia Beach in fiscal year 2022
• Supported more than 3,000 jobs and nearly $85 million in labor income
• Generated $5.8 million in tax revenues for Virginia Beach and $8 million for the Commonwealth of Virginia
• $2.9 million total fundraising in fiscal year 2025

Major Capital Campaign Opportunity

• Virginia Aquarium Future Renovation (VAFR) project is an approximately $150 million investment to replace aging infrastructure and enhance visitor experience
• Projected to increase operations supporting 3,400 jobs and nearly $300 million in annual economic activity upon completion

Conservation & Education Programs

• Nationally recognized Stranding Response Program that responded to over 107 marine mammal cases, 9 whale events, and 280 sea turtle strandings in 2024
• Led more than 250 education programs reaching over 14,000 students in fiscal year 2024

Credentials

• Accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
   

Virginia Aquarium Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report (link)

What we offer:
The City of Virginia Beach offers a generous benefits package such as health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans. Other key benefits include:

• Maternity/Paternity and Parental Leave
• Employee Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Development
• Employee Assistance Program

Salary : $300