Manager, Donor Engagement and Special Projects

Museum of Science, Boston

www.mos.org

Innovation and creativity come from the unique perspectives of a diverse staff. We value your perspective.

Who We Are

As science and technology increasingly shape our lives, the Museum of Science strives to equip and inspire everyone to use science for the global good while keeping up with the pace of change. Among the world’s largest science centers and New England’s most attended cultural institution, we engage nearly five million people a year – at Science Park and in museums around the world, in classrooms, and online.

The Museum’s singular location connecting Boston and Cambridge puts us at the junction of some of the world’s most influential academic institutions and industries, local and state government, schools, and the public. Trusted by each sector, we are ideally positioned to convene, inspire, and create meaningful experiences for all. Come join us on our mission to inspire a lifelong love of science in everyone and live our vision for a world where science belongs to each of us for the good of all of us.

Why We Need You

The Manager of Constituent Engagement and Special Projects is a leadership role within the Museum's Advancement team, responsible for developing and executing strategies to enhance donor engagement through fundraising and stewardship events. This role oversees the operational and strategic aspects of donor engagement, including event list management, communication timelines, invitation administration, and donor stewardship strategies. Additionally, the Manager manages special fundraising initiatives, such as the Boston Marathon and the Washburn Challenge. This position maintains a small portfolio of donors, works collaboratively across departments, and reports to the Senior Director, Advancement Operations.

What You’ll Accomplish

1. Strategic Donor Engagement:
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance donor engagement through fundraising and stewardship events, aligning with the museum's mission and fundraising goals.
• Oversee the planning and execution of donor engagement activities, including list pulls, segmentation, and personalization to target key audiences.
• Manage communication timelines and workflows to ensure timely and effective outreach to donors for events and stewardship efforts.
• Lead invitation management, including design, distribution, tracking, and follow-up for fundraising and donor engagement events.
• Collaborate with event production and program team, marketing, and development staff to ensure seamless execution of donor events.
2. Oversight of Special Fundraising Projects:
• Serve as the project manager for third-party fundraising initiatives, and the annual Boston Marathon and Washburn Challenge events.
• Coordinate all aspects of these projects, including participant recruitment, fundraising coaching, and logistics planning.
• Develop and implement strategies to maximize participation, donor engagement, and revenue generation for special projects.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for third-party fundraisers, ensuring they have the tools and support needed to succeed.
3. Collaboration and Cross-Departmental Coordination:
• Partner with Advancement colleagues to align donor engagement strategies with overall fundraising goals and campaigns.
• Work closely with Marketing, Communications, Programs and Events teams to ensure consistent messaging and branding across donor touchpoints.
• Act as a liaison between the museum and external vendors, consultants, and community partners to ensure the success of donor engagement initiatives.
4. Data Management and Reporting:
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of donor and event data in the museum’s CRM system, working with the Advancement Operations team on list generation and segmentation.
• Analyze event and project performance, providing data-driven insights and recommendations to improve donor engagement and fundraising results.
• Prepare and present reports on special projects, events, and donor engagement metrics to museum leadership and stakeholders.
5. Leadership and Team Contributions:
• Serve as a senior member of the Advancement team, contributing to departmental strategy, planning, and decision-making.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to staff and volunteers involved in donor engagement and special projects.
• Actively participate in cross-functional meetings and initiatives to support the museum’s mission and goals.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in fundraising, donor relations, or event management, preferably in a museum or cultural institution setting.
• Proven experience managing complex projects and donor engagement initiatives, including special events and third-party fundraising efforts.
• Strong knowledge of CRM/database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce) and event management tools.
• Exceptional organizational, project management, and multitasking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with donors, volunteers, and key stakeholders.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Strong ability to present information succinctly and effectively in both written and verbal formats.
• Commitment to DEI: Demonstrated ability to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive fundraising environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree required, Cultural Institution experience a plus.

How We Work - Our Values

• Everyone: We are everyone’s museum. We pursue equity and celebrate every person for who they are. We foster an inclusive environment in which we value and respect diversity.
• Service: We serve our colleagues and community. We hold ourselves accountable to be a trustworthy public resource and to support a sustainable, just, and evidence-based future.
• Learning: We love learning. We are curious about the world and want to share our joy and wonder with others. We value open minds and recognize that everyone has more to explore, discover, and create.
• Connection: We find strength in connections. We collaborate across communities, organizations, and disciplines to make science relevant and accessible to all.
• Boldness: We dream big. We boldly push ourselves forward, pursuing new ideas and challenges. We experiment and learn from our failures as we seek to inspire purpose, spark imagination, and encourage hope.