ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT ANNUAL GIVING & MEMBERSHIP

The National WWII Museum
New Orleans, Louisiana

The National WWII Museum is currently seeking an Associate Vice President Annual Giving & Membership (AVP AGM). Reporting to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, the AVP AGM is responsible for sustaining and increasing annual operating support for the Museum through three channels: Charter Membership, Patriots Circle, and Tribute Products. The AVP AGM manages three directors and their teams, serves as a member of the Institutional Advancement Leadership Team and the Museum’s Expanded Cabinet, and carries a portfolio of upper-level Patriot Circle donors and prospects. The AVP AGM is proficient in leveraging multiple channels for fund development including direct mail, digital and online giving, on-site sales, and personal solicitations of individuals and corporations locally and nationally. 

The National WWII Museum boasts one of the largest annual giving programs of any Museum in the country anchored by a sophisticated direct marketing program with 125,000 annual members. The AVP AGM will successfully build on current successes while developing and testing innovative and creative strategies to increase Charter Membership and mid-level giving. The AVP AGM will lead vendor relationships that currently support, and can grow, the membership programs, and will partner with Departments such as Visitor Services, Retail and Marketing and Communication to increase the visibility and growth of the membership program onsite.

Requirements:

  • Meet or exceed the annual fundraising goal for three annual giving programs: Charter Membership, Patriots Circle Membership and Tribute Products.
  • Provide leadership to three direct reports, Director of Patriots Circle, Director of Charter Membership, Director of Tribute Products, and their teams.
  • Ensure management of vendor relationships supporting membership operations, including audience segmentation, diversification of the annual constituent base, and innovation and testing with various communication vehicles.
  • Carry a portfolio of upper-level Patriot Circle donors and prospects, facilitating movement through the donor life cycle of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
  • Collaborate within the department and across the Museum to promote Museum membership, benefits and impacts. Ensure that a visit to the campus or the Museum’s website communicates membership impact and invites participation.
  • Develop and manage annual program goals and budgets in coordination with the IA Leadership Team, Finance, and external partners.
  • Develop and implement strategies to grow and sustain Charter Membership through direct mail, digital and online giving, and on-site sales. 
  • Travel, as needed, for donor and prospect visits and Museum meetings with external partners.
  • Track, report, and analyze acquisition, retention, stewardship, and engagement data. Deliver platinum-level customer service to all members.
  • Oversee the growth of the national Patriots Circle Membership program for both individuals and corporations. Refine and execute systems and strategies to grow the Patriots Circle mid-level donor program with an emphasis on stewardship and upgrades.
  • Partner with the Directors of Development to invite major gift donors to become Patriots Circle Members and to identify Patriots Circle members who should be cultivated for major gifts.
  • Partner with the Marketing/Communications Department, as well as other key Museum stakeholders to promote membership awareness and invitations to join.
  • Stay abreast of industry trends and new technology to pilot program changes and refinements.
  • Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality by establishing development goals, assigning accountabilities, fostering collaboration, and developing internal partnerships to optimize assets and outcomes.
  • Undertake other duties and special projects as assigned by the Vice President of Institutional Advancement. 

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree and/or CFRE preferred.
  • A minimum of 5 to 7 years fundraising experience at the management level in a museum, university, or comparable non-profit organization. Experience in managing annual giving and/or membership programs is required.
  • Experience developing and managing direct mail/direct response marketing programs, including working with third-party vendors such as direct marketing agencies and offsite processing centers.
  • Demonstrated ability to assess and measure solicitation strategies for annual fund and membership campaigns, demonstrated success with acquisition and retention results, and an ability to create an overall membership engagement experience.
  • Strong working knowledge of best practices, principles, tools and methodologies of effective membership and annual fund programs, including the use of data analytics to assess and enhance performance.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a high-visibility non-profit organization managing multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Demonstrated competence in database and spreadsheet applications with knowledge of Raiser’s Edge required.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation and writing skills.
  • Solid administrative skills and demonstrated ability to manage a professional staff and motivate staff to achieve fundraising goals.
  • Demonstrated experience and commitment to fostering a team approach.
  • Ability to work irregular hours including evenings, weekends, holidays, special events or during periods of heavy visitation. 

In addition to offering competitive wages, the Museum’s benefits package includes: 

  • Medical insurance – 2 plan options; Museum pays 75% of premium 
  • Dental and vision insurance 
  • Flexible spending account 
  • 401(k) – Museum matches 50% of employee contribution up to 6%; employer contribution full vested after 3 years of employment 
  • Life insurance and AD&D - $15,000 policy employer paid; additional life and AD&D available 
  • Long term disability insurance 
  • Paid vacation and sick leave, 10 paid holidays per year 
  • Free parking 
  • Tuition assistance and professional development 
  • Employee assistance program 

The National WWII Museum is an equal opportunity employer and seeks diversity in its workforce.  We are dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.