Director of Leadership Gifts

THE OPPORTUNITY

Located in the heart of San Francisco, the Asian Art Museum is home to one of the world’s finest collections of Asian art, boasting more than 18,000 inspiring artworks ranging from ancient jades and ceramics to contemporary video installations.

Dynamic special exhibitions, cultural celebrations, and public programs for all ages provide rich art experiences that unlock the past and spark questions about the future.

Currently, we are seeking a Director of Leadership Gifts to join our team. This is an exceptional opportunity to join an organization that values creativity, teamwork, collaboration, and inclusion and where you will be surrounded by a diverse, talented, and enthusiastic group of colleagues.

The Director of Leadership Gifts (Director) works independently and as part of the team to secure annual and multi-year unrestricted and restricted gifts for the Asian Art Museum.

Through phone calls, personal visits, and other meaningful interactions, the Director will identify and qualify new prospects;

cultivate, solicit, and close gifts of $50,000 to $1 million+; and steward annual leadership donors. This role will personally manage an active portfolio of leadership giving donors / prospects needing sustained cultivation and stewardship.

The Director will work closely with the Museum Commissioners, Trustees, and the senior management team. This position has a critical role in the fundraising success of the museum and its ability to meet its financial and program goals.

The position regularly engages with staff, donors, vendors, visitors, volunteers, members, and colleagues in a personable and respectful manner.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manage an individual portfolio of prospects and direct the portfolios of others creating comprehensive donor strategies to cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts at $50,000 and above.
• Proactively identify prospects with major and leadership gift potential, tailoring engagement strategies to each individual.
• Collaborate with others to steward all high-level individual giving donors.
• Work with cross-functional partners, including curators and marketing, to develop new fundraising initiatives that are aligned with the museum’s priorities.
• Act as a visible and accessible representative of the museum, cultivating and strengthening relationships with the donor community.
• Be a trusted partner to management and staff; ensure maximum value from their diverse connections, effectively utilizing their time and personal participation in fundraising events.
• Develop and sustain strong relationships with the Foundation Board of Trustees and the members of the SF Asian Arts Commission.
• Conduct thorough analysis of data and produce monthly reports, ensuring they accurately depict pipeline activity and performance as requested by management.
• Maintain and enhance professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations.
• Act as a mentor, sharing fundraising best practices and assisting in the formulation of individual donor strategies to secure significant gifts for the museum.
• As a leader, oversee all aspects of staff management including recruitment, scheduling, fostering professional growth, conducting performance evaluations, and implementing disciplinary measures when necessary.
• Effectively articulates in written and verbal communications the mission and impact of the museum to deepen relationships with donors, prospects, and high-level supporters, as well as external stakeholders;

maintains a thorough and accurate understanding of the museum’s programs and funding priorities to effectively connect supporters to funding needs.

Performs other duties and projects as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.
• Seven years of experience managing fundraising portfolios with a track record of closing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Experience in developing leadership and major gifts strategies.
• Strategic thinker with an ability to manage and implement change : someone who can motivate and mentor staff while increasing individual and team performance.
• Proficiency in financial projections and budget management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt easily to changing situations and priorities, exercise good judgement and stay focused on overarching goals.
• Flexibility and capacity to think creatively, communicate broadly, and demonstrate solutions-oriented leadership.
• Genuinely enjoys engaging donors and the fundraising process.
• Comfort interacting with high-level donors and patrons.
• Ability to carry out both strategic and tactical work.
• Superior organization and time-management skills
• Ability to inspire confidence and trust.
• Ability to celebrate successes and build upon challenges.
• High integrity and commitment to goals.
• High degree of emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
• Strong problem-solving attributes.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, donors, volunteers, donors, and members of the public.
• Availability to work nights and weekends as needed for events or deadlines.
• Ability to travel locally, domestic, and internationally as needed.
• Knowledge of Bay Area philanthropy is desirable.
• Knowledge and / or interest in Asian art and culture preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Standard office environment with occasional standing, bending, and lifting.
• Regular computer and phone use.

COMPENSATION

The Asian Art Museum is committed to practicing salary transparency. The minimum salary for this position is $140,000 and the maximum salary is $180,000.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

This opportunity includes a generous benefits package, including but not limited to :

• Fully covered medical, dental and vision insurance for employee
• 12 paid holidays (2024)
• 15 days of vacation starting
• 12 days of sick leave
• Group retirement plan starting after one year of employment

OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITMENTS

At the Asian Art Museum, we are dedicated to ideating, building, and holding ourselves accountable for Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion in everything we do.

We strive to foster a culture of respect, belonging and inclusivity for all employees.

Our mission is to celebrate, preserve, and promote Asian and Asian American art and cultures for local and global audiences.

We provide a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas, inviting collaboration, and fueling imagination to deepen understanding and empathy among people of all backgrounds.

Diversity of thought and experience is essential to our mission, and we are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Apply online at Ensuring a smooth and enjoyable candidate experience is critical for us. Application materials will be screened in relation to the criteria described.

Candidates deemed to be the most highly qualified will be invited to participate in the interview process. Our interview process tends to take about 4 weeks to complete but may fluctuate depending on the role.

Appointment is subject to completion of a thorough background check process.

The Asian Art Museum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories (arrest and criminal histories) consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law.