Job location: Charlottesville, VA

The University of Virginia seeks a dynamic, strategic, collaborative, and experienced fundraising professional to serve as Director of Development for The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia (The Fralin). Led by Matthew McLendon, J. Sanford Miller Family Director, this position is a remarkable opportunity to work as a senior member of The Fralin team and, as part of UVA Arts, join the highly acclaimed Advancement team at the University of Virginia.

The Fralin Museum of Art will be recognized for its leadership at UVA, connecting students, faculty, staff, and the community through the experience of art. The Fralin’s collection, programs, and exhibitions will reach more people—in person and online—and will inspire those audiences to discover new ideas, embrace multiple perspectives, and seek solutions to challenging problems. As The Fralin’s role broadens, it will become a cornerstone institution on Grounds, advancing UVA’s reputation locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia encourages the spirit of curiosity and promotes diversity of thought through the study, care, and celebration of art.

The Director of Development will join the University at an exciting time for UVA Arts. UVA has embarked on a groundbreaking $5 billion Honor the Future capital campaign that will advance the priorities of every school and unit, support new and existing programs, and fund capital projects. The Honor the Future campaign represents potential investment in the Arts with a new performing arts center and adjacent museums complex, housing both The Fralin and Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection as part of the Emmet/Ivy project.

The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819 to advance human knowledge, educate leaders and cultivate an informed citizenry. Today, U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks UVA in the top three public universities. The University of Virginia continues to place among the top 30 of the nation’s public and private universities combined. We are a thriving and diverse global community of nearly 54,000 students, faculty and staff. University students hail from virtually every state in the nation and 111 countries, and our 230,000 alumni around the world actively support our mission to serve the greater good.

The Director of Development will be the museum’s lead for patron cultivation, portfolio building, and revenue enhancement strategy and execution. Partnering with The Fralin Director and Advisory Board together with the Director of University Arts Development, the Director of Development will create and implement long-and short-term fundraising strategies, meeting or exceeding annual fundraising goals.

The Director of Development will oversee a team of two professionals responsible for maintaining and expanding the museum's base of individual and institutional support. Ideal candidates will bring broad experience in development with at least five years in senior leadership positions, including work in all areas of fundraising, as well as strategic planning, donor acquisition, research, engagement, stewardship, reporting, and overall management ensuring departmental success.

As the chief fundraiser, the Director of Development will devise, implement, and manage a comprehensive program, including the creation of a development plan that maximizes contributed income from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government sources. They will proactively support The Fralin Director and Advisory Board to drive fundraising activity and personal engagement with top prospects, representing The Fralin at donor events, and broadly within both the academic and regional communities as appropriate. The Director of Development will establish their own portfolio of major donors, as well as engage board members in fundraising and advocacy with their professional and personal networks increasing support for the museum. The Director of Development will serve as the main liaison to the Advisory Board in tandem with the Director.

Internally, the Director of Development, as part of the UVA Advancement team, will develop relationships with key colleagues across the University to foster and support a culture of philanthropy and lead staff in development activities. They will supervise the development team by setting clear expectations, providing constructive feedback, encouraging professional development, and modeling the most up-to-date philanthropic strategies. They will partner actively with the Director developing strategy, serving as a key advisor on leadership’s philanthropic priorities.

Leadership

• Work closely with Fralin leadership to craft campaign vision in partnership with UVA Advancement.

• Develop and manage The Fralin fundraising team through effective motivation, mentorship, recruitment and staff development.

• Set strategic direction for The Fralin fundraising team, leading them in discipline, accountability and pipeline development and ensure team members have the resources needed to be successful.

• Work with Fralin leadership as the primary liaison to engage members of The Fralin Advisory Board to advocate, give, and advise.

Fundraising

• Staff top tier Fralin prospects, raising $3M+ annually from individual and foundation donors as the lead gift officer.

• Work collaboratively with Fralin and UVA Arts colleagues and advancement professionals across the University to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors.

• Evaluate all areas of giving and philanthropic engagement analyzing ROI and strategizing adjustments where necessary.

• Develop strategic and innovative direct marketing, annual giving, and membership programs with the Director of Annual Giving that grows the museum’s base of patrons and supporters.

• With the assistance of University Advancement’s research group, identify, qualify, and solicit new major and leadership gift donors for gifts to the campaign on behalf of the museum.

Inclusive Excellence

• Strong commitment to and record of advancing diversity. Be a leader and advocate for the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) work being undertaken by museum staff and Board. Recruit and retain a diverse team and develop a culture in which everyone feels welcome, valued, and supported.

Candidate Profile

The University seeks an energetic and charismatic leader with a strong affinity for the mission and values of The Fralin Museum of Art and the University of Virginia.

Preferred candidates will have previous experience fundraising within higher education or the arts and culture sector. They will demonstrate strategic thinking and creativity in identifying prospects. A compelling candidate will have the desire to establish a foundation of excellence and will possess a proven record of meeting and exceeding goals and improving outcomes. They will also have demonstrated leadership skills and be able to create an effective team by articulating clear goals and responsibilities and by providing feedback to support individual accountability.

Professional Experience

• 5 years of experience with a proven track record in fundraising is required, 10 years of experience is preferred.

• Accomplished metrics-driven leader; experience in museums or the arts and culture sector a plus.

• Superb manager who is an inspiring mentor.

• A demonstrated ability to bring organizations to new levels of philanthropic achievement.

• Collaborative leader who works successfully with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and board members.

• Ability to be nimble and pivot in response to opportunities and changing landscapes.

• An accomplished fundraiser with a track record soliciting and closing six- and seven-figure gifts.

• Experience strategizing and executing a comprehensive campaign is highly desired.

Interpersonal Characteristics

• Outstanding verbal and written skills with the ability to develop relationships of trust and respect with institutional leaders, staff, alumni, faculty, volunteers, and donors.

• Comfortable with embracing change.

• The Director will contribute to an environment that encourages diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. They must have command of cultural sensitivity and must value and embrace cultural and social differences.

Education

• A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, University Advancement honors your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, we strive to create and maintain working environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming so we can best achieve our mission of supporting our broadly diverse partners, schools, and networks of engaged alumni, parents, and friends of the University.

UVA Advancement offers a flexible and hybrid workplace. As a part of UVA Advancement, The Fralin Museum of Art Development team offers a flexible and hybrid workplace. All team members must have access to and maintain a secure home office environment with highspeed internet service and work collaboratively with others using a variety of technologies and tools. This position is based on Charlottesville, Virginia and you will be required to maintain a presence in the museum offices.

For confidential inquiries or to nominate someone for this opportunity, please contact Cameron Mowat, Director of University Arts Development, at cm2sd@virginia.edu.

To be considered applications must be received by September 20, 2021. This is an Exempt level, benefited position. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding and performance. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. For questions about the position or the application process, please contact Ashley Cochran, Senior Recruiter at alc6dk@virginia.edu.

Applications should include a resume and letter of interest. The search will be carried out with full confidentiality; candidates will be notified before references are contacted. To be officially considered for this position, all applicants must apply through UVA Workday. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile.

COVID Vaccination Requirement

Due to the scope of President Biden’s Executive Order 14042 issued in early September, all University employees, including remote employees, must receive their final vaccination dose by January 4, 2022, unless they have a University-approved religious or medical exemption. The University has updated policy SEC-045 to reflect these new requirements.  

If hired by the Academic Division, excluding School of Medicine, School of Nursing, UVA Physicians Group, and the Health Systems Library, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination or be willing to be vaccinated by January 4, 2022. Academic employees may apply for a University-approved medical or religious exemption.
 
Note: Some medical and safety-sensitive positions require vaccination and are not eligible for an exemption. For more information on how vaccination requirements will apply to you, please visit the UVA New Hire Vaccination Requirements webpage.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.