careers
vice president of advancement
what we value
Our mission is to inspire children to care about and change the world. The Museum is an innovative institution that sparks curiosity and wonder and a space where all children feel valued. In order to do this well, we need a team that reflects the dynamic and diverse communities that we serve and brings a variety of perspectives, abilities, and skills. We embrace that this work is critical to our mission and never finished. The more inclusive we are, the stronger our Museum.
the role
National Children’s Museum is a world-class museum that aims to spark the imagination and encourage children to dream. National Children’s Museum celebrates the joy of childhood through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) exhibits and programs.
As Vice President of Advancement, reporting to the President + CEO, this position is a critical member of the Museum’s leadership team. The VP will help build and lead a vibrant and sustainable contributed revenue program and oversee the Museum’s membership program. This position is ideal for a professional who can zoom between the big picture and small details, gets energy from being in the community and making connections, is a strong communicator and storyteller, and enjoys rolling up their sleeves to make their mark.
The VP of Advancement is a critical position for the Museum. This role provides a unique opportunity for a fundraising professional to create an advancement plan that will take the Museum to the next level by driving resources to support a creative team of educators and exhibit developers who are bringing innovative practices to advancing the children’s museum field, and elevating informal education and STEAM learning on a national stage.
Working alongside the Museum’s new President + CEO and Board of Trustees, and serving as a member of the leadership team, the VP holds the primary responsibility of developing a comprehensive plan to drive philanthropic support to the Museum’s mission. They will also have the opportunity to help shape a new strategic plan that will guide the Museum’s future work. This role will motivate the existing advancement team, working across major gifts, annual giving, foundation and corporate relations, donor stewardship/events, and gift processing/records, to seize new and creative funding opportunities, ensuring transformational support for years to come.
what you’ll do
- Develop and implement the Museum’s advancement strategy by establishing priorities across the range of foundation, corporate, individual, and governmental funding sources. The VP will work with the VP of Finance and Administration to integrate advancement plans into the Museum’s annual and multi-year financial plans.
- Deepen the Museum’s philanthropic network and prospect pool. The VP will ensure that the size, quality, and level of commitment of the Museum’s philanthropic network and prospect pool matches the requirements of the development strategy.
- Productively engage Museum leaders and Trustees in fundraising strategy. The VP will identify high-impact opportunities to involve the President and CEO and the Museum’s staff in philanthropic activities. They will work closely with the Board’s Advancement Committee and individual trustees to ensure that the board plays a critical role in philanthropy and network building. They will also ensure senior Museum’s leaders and the Board Advancement Committee are well informed on major fundraising initiatives and performance, with effective performance summaries and corrective action plans.
- Serve as a core member of the Museum's leadership team, working to advance its reputation for distinctive impact.
- Be a primary spokesperson for the Museum and utilize strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage donors and stakeholders.
- Build and lead a high-performance advancement team. The VP is responsible for fostering a culture of accountability and achievement; creating a work environment that attracts and retains high performers; and mentoring/evaluating individual team members.
- Build and manage a comprehensive prospect portfolio. The VP will develop cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans tailored to specific donors and prospects.
- Enhance a comprehensive membership program ensuring sustained revenue, through renewal rates and new membership.
- Collaborate with Museum teams to maximize fundraising opportunities, steward donors, and create compelling cases for support.
- Prepare fundraising budget projections, and board reports quarterly and as requested.
important experiences + traits for this role
- A minimum of seven years of professional work experience in fundraising and nonprofit management.
- Demonstrated success working with a Board of Trustees consisting of prominent business, nonprofit, and government leaders and their networks.
- Ability to engage creatively and boldly with large institutional donors, with an understanding of their strategies and program decision-making processes.
- Proven record of accomplishment in six- and seven- figure gift solicitations and cultivation of prospective donors.
- Strong listening, verbal communications, and writing skills, with an ability to tell compelling stories about our work.
- Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
- Lead by example in demonstrating a commitment to the Museum and excellence, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- Demonstrated experience building and managing a high-performing team by inspiring and motivating others.
- An exceptional work ethic and ability to work as part of a creative and collaborative leadership team.
- Dedication and passion for educating children and the mission of National Children’s Museum.
details
hours + location
Full-time position located at the National Children’s Museum at 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Must be available to work onsite from 9 am - 5 pm at least four days per week, and remotely one day per week. Occasional travel required.
compensation
$140,000 – $160,000 per year, commensurate with experience and skill set. This position is eligible for benefits, including health insurance.
to apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to hr@nationalchildrensmuseum.org with the subject line: Vice President of Advancement
leadership and governance:
The Museum’s new President + CEO, Kiryn Hoffman, joined the National Children’s Museum team in October 2024, bringing more than twenty years experience in executive leadership and fundraising to the Museum. A leader in science centers and children’s museums, she was previously Chief Advancement Officer and Interim Deputy President and CEO at the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI). There, she was responsible for all private fundraising for the institution, managing partnerships with philanthropists, foundations and corporations, and overseeing major fundraising initiatives including the annual gala and the NYSCI President’s Council. She is a trained physical chemist and science journalist and previously held leadership positions at the New York Academy of Sciences and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The National Children’s Museum’s Board of Trustees is composed of 19 passionate and committed leaders in business, philanthropy, and civic affairs who are eager to engage more deeply in driving new sources of revenue to the Museum.
fundraising and financial overview:
In Fiscal Year 2023, the Museum’s operating expenses were $7 million; the corresponding revenue was $7 million, of which $500,000 was secured through Memberships and $3 million was raised through contributions and grants from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies. Over the next 2-3 years the Museum aims to double contributed revenue as the main driver of growing its programs and expanding its impact, and is seeking a creative and effective leader to lead that effort.
The National Children’s Museum is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and prospective employees without discrimination based upon race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, personal appearance, sexual orientation, political affiliation, family responsibilities, disability, matriculation, marital status or any other category protected by law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment at NCM, including, but not limited to recruitment, promotion, compensation, benefits, training and development, access to facilities, discipline, separation of employment and other terms and conditions of employment.