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 recruiting for a Director of Events and Stewardship 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 Events and Stewardship serves to increase and enhance the museum’s fundraising capacity by bringing a strategic and coordinated approach to donor stewardship activities and events.
The position will work collaboratively with others to implement a holistic, institution-wide array of prospect cultivation and donor stewardship activities, including support of the Museum’s annual fundraising gala and oversight of the Member benefits travel program.
This position regularly engages with staff, vendors, visitors, volunteers, members, and colleagues in a personable and respectful manner.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Events & General Stewardship
- Facilitate an institution-wide comprehensive annual donor relations and stewardship program that appropriately and consistently promotes interaction with and recognition of donors at all levels, to enhance their relationship with the Institution and increase the likelihood of continued contributions.
- Lead and assist staff to successfully create and implement an events program to support the annual efforts of the Development team. This will include creating an annual plan for donor cultivation and fulfilment events for major giving groups and events for donors or prospects in conjunction with significant fundraising initiatives, such as exhibition fundraising and campaigns. Events include, but are not limited to receptions, dinners, curator tours, private collection visits, day trips, artist studio visits, scholar talks, and behind-the-scenes tours.
- Serve as primary lead for annual signature gala, including working with external vendors and consultants to ensure proper vision and execution through its lifecycle.
- Oversee event date selection, manage timelines, create talking points. Coordinate with Department Managers to understand event expectations and guest audience. Manage pre- and post-event strategy and follow-up. Track and analyze donor participation in events and collaborate with solicitors to ensure donors remain engaged.
- Stay informed about all non-development museum events, such as press previews, cultural days, educational lectures, etc. Strategically identify opportunities to engage individual and institutional donors/prospects through such events.
Donor Recognition and Benefits
- Oversee and direct creation of Donor Recognition Signage system for all donor gifts.
- Oversee creation of donor walls and signage, tracking donor naming selection, and updating naming opportunity materials.
- Oversee creation and execution of Annual Report, digital and/or print.
- Maintain and coordinate a calendar of all member and donor communications (e-news, invitations, etc.) and a calendar of all member and donor events (opening receptions, travel opportunities, etc.). Ensure strategic timing of mailings and events.
- Create and implement a comprehensive annual project plan for all donor stewardship activities and events. Set annual goals and work toward exceeding them.
- Manage all aspects of the annual travel program for our major donor groups. Attend and provide on-site support for trips as requested.
- Work closely with Chairs of Nexus group on developing strategy for travel program, with particular attention to how travel will serve as a cornerstone of donor cultivation efforts.
- Supervise staff, volunteers, and interns, providing direction, mentoring, and coaching.
- Establish and nurture strong working relationships with museum staff, colleagues from other institutions, consultants, and vendors.
- Perform other duties and projects as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and seven years of experience in non-profit event planning; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Exceptional project management skills; excellent planning, problem-solving, organizational skills; strong follow-through and sense of urgency/timeliness of deliverables.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; professional demeanor; strong interpersonal skills; flexibility; sense of humor; self-motivated.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and members of the general public; collaborate with staff across departments and manage the tasks of staff who are not direct reports.
- Knowledge of fundraising principles, techniques, and ethics; understanding of nonprofit environments.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully organize workload in a fast-paced environment; maintain several projects of equal priority simultaneously; sustain focus, productivity, and accuracy under pressure.
- Proficiency in MS Word and Excel; knowledge of PowerPoint desirable.
- Experience using fundraising database software; Raiser’s Edge experience preferred.
- Ability to work independently, using good judgment, resourcefulness, and initiative; tolerate ambiguity; respond to multiple demands; work effectively in a complex institutional environment.
- Availability to work nights and weekends as needed for events or deadlines.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Standard museum, event, and office environment.
- Computer, tablet, and phone use.
Compensation: The Asian Art Museum is committed to practicing salary transparency. The minimum salary for this position is $100,000 and the maximum salary is $110,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. This opportunity includes a generous benefits package.
• Fully covered medical, dental and vision insurance for employee
• 12 paid holidays (2023)
• 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 https://about.asianart.org/careers/. 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.
Please note, all museum team members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment (to be fully vaccinated, 14 days must have passed since the final dose of a two-shot vaccine, or a single dose of a one-shot vaccine was received) and provide proof, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the museum will be provided a copy of the vaccination policy. For questions regarding this requirement, please e-mail: humanresourcesdepartment@asianart.org.
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.