Director of Development - Archaeological Institute of America : Job Details

The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) seeks a strategic, data-driven, and relationship-oriented fundraising professional to serve as Director of Development. This role has primary responsibility for overseeing the strategic development, coordination, and implementation of AIA's comprehensive fundraising initiatives. The Director of Development leads efforts to achieve an ambitious annual fund goal through diversified revenue streams including grants, individual donors, and dedicated events.

The Director works closely with the Executive Director, Governing Board, volunteers, and staff to maximize effectiveness in all fundraising and stewardship activities.

Reports to: Executive Director

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Design and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to grow and diversify revenue streams
• Lead the creation of annual Development and Communications Plans, establishing strategies, goals, metrics, and tactics for each fiscal year
• Collaborate with Executive Director to set ambitious fundraising goals and develop multi-year development strategies
• Serve as staff liaison to the Development Committee, facilitating effective planning and meetings
• Manage development budget

Donor Relations

• Manage and cultivate 100-150 donors
• Facilitate virtual or in-person visits with prospects and donors, averaging 15 interactions monthly including discovery, cultivation, and stewardship
• Execute major gift solicitations ranging from $10,000 to $100,000+
• Develop and implement comprehensive donor stewardship strategies to strengthen relationships with current and prospective supporters

Program Development & Management

• Lead development and oversight of comprehensive annual giving program
• Develop and manage grants, major gifts, and planned giving programs (Norton Society)
• Plan and execute donor cultivation and stewardship events
• Research and cultivate new funding opportunities with specific strategies for potential donors

Communications

• Partner with Communications Coordinator to ensure consistent messaging and branding across donor-facing materials
• Direct strategic communications and marketing efforts to increase organizational visibility
• Oversee creation and implementation of development communications calendar, ensuring timely completion of appeals, annual reports, brochures, and program materials

Data Management & Analysis

• Ensure accurate tracking of gifts, solicitations, and donor interactions in donor database systems with the assistance of the Executive Assistant
• Analyze donor trends and performance metrics to inform strategic decision-making
• Manage mailing lists, campaign segmentation, and conduct regular data audits
• Leverage research and data to identify and qualify new donor prospects
• Monitor and analyze fundraising performance, producing reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure adherence to best practices in fundraising programs, donor stewardship, and financial reporting

Grant Management & Institutional Giving:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive grant strategy, including research, proposal writing, submission, and stewardship
• Collaborate with a grant consultant to identify and pursue new funding opportunities
• Manage the grants submissions calendar and project plans to meet deadlines and submit applications and reports on time or ahead of schedule

Administrative & Operational

• Supervise gift processing, donor acknowledgements, and database management systems with the assistance of the Executive Assistant
• Prepare and present regular reports to the Governing Board, Executive, Finance and Development Committees
• Assist in implementation of strategic plan initiatives linking to funding proposals
• Coordinate networking opportunities with the Executive Director and board members as needed

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required or relevant work experience
• Minimum 7+ years of progressively responsible development experience in major gifts fundraising, with a proven track record identifying and cultivating prospects through the entire donor lifecycle.
• Demonstrated success in managing fundraising campaigns, annual funds, or mid-level donor programs and closing six figure gifts
• Experience managing bequests and estate gifts
• Experience with endowments, temp restricted funding and grants
• Knowledge of, or enthusiasm for, archaeology, museums, ancient sites and monuments, heritage preservation, outreach and education or related academic fields preferred but not necessary

Skills & Attributes

• Ability to generate respect and trust from staff and colleagues while fostering cross-functional collaboration and a strong sense of teamwork.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills with a commitment to detail.
• Exceptional written, verbal communication with outstanding presentation abilities and relationship-building skills to cultivate major donors
• Perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and demonstrate sound judgment.
• Experience working effectively with governing boards and volunteer leadership
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams) and donor database systems, (Bloomerang preferred) and an ability to learn new technologies that enable effectiveness in the role
• Solid understanding of nonprofit financial management and compliance
• Strong project management and organizational abilities with proven ability to manage multiple priorities

Physical Requirements:

• Hybrid work schedule
• Prolonged periods working at desk and on a computer
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally
• Ability to work outside normal business hours including evenings and weekends as events dictate (2 Saturday virtual board meetings, 3-4 Development committee meetings)
• Ability to travel as needed for organizational and donor cultivation events, including the Annual Meeting every January held in various U.S. locations