Posted on December 14, 2012

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Manager, Individual Giving

Reports to: Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Background: The New York Hall of Science, New York City's only hands-on science museum and host to close to a half a million visitors every year, serves the most ethnically diverse population in the country — reflecting the institution’s home borough of Queens and also that of the greater metropolitan area. Built originally for the 1964 World’s Fair, NYSCI continues to capture the spirit of discovery and innovation that was at the heart of this event. NYSCI offers an unparalleled range of 450 interactive exhibits that invite visitors to explore varied aspects of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). By combining these exhibits with the country’s largest outdoor Science Playground along with discovery labs, teacher-training programs, and internationally replicated science education programs for urban youth, NYSCI brings the excitement and understanding of science and technology to children, families, and teachers through out the New York metro-region and beyond. Our mission is to bring the excitement and understanding of science and technology to children, families, teachers, and others by galvanizing their curiosity and offering them creative, participatory ways to learn.

NYSCI is currently developing new approaches to engaging visitors in science on the floor of the museum. The largest of these initiatives, the Design Lab, is scheduled to open at NYSCI in 2014. Design-based practices on the museum floor require facilitation, and a key objective is to develop new training models for Explainers that will effectively support this work.

The quiet phase of The Campaign for NYSCI is underway; it is a $50 million capital/programmatic effort that will culminate in NYSCI’s 50th anniversary in 2014.

NYSCI has approximately 110 full-time and over 170 part-time staff-members.

Departmental Role: Raise funds to support the work and mission of NYSCI by raising awareness of NYSCI’s work, goals, and financial needs.

Function: Join a fast-paced and growing institutional advancement staff at the New York Hall of Science, which is in the midst of the $50 million Campaign for NYSCI. The Campaign will restore the historic and iconic Great Hall ($25 million in public funding) and is launching a host of new programmatic initiatives ($25 million in private funding); the Campaign has raised $45,000,000 to date. This position’s essential charge is to continue to develop and build NYSCI’s individual donor efforts.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Manages all ongoing Individual Giving activity in support of NYSCI annual fundraising and the Campaign for NYSCI.
• Supports the management of all Individual Giving at NYSCI, coordinating very closely with the Campaign.
• Helps to conceptualize and organize all cultivation events in support of building a dynamic individual giving program at NYSCI.
• Oversees Family Day and the activities of the Family Day Committee in support of NYSCI’s major spring cultivation event for 250 families.
• Coordinates 8-10 Science Salons with their Trustee hosts, including speaker research/selection, venue details, guest list management, invitation production and management, research on guests, and event logistics. Helps coordinate follow-up with Board and senior staff.
• Develops with senior staff and in partnership with External Affairs department a quarterly science public program series to be presented at a Manhattan venue.
• Coordinates stewardship of all individual donors, through events and visits.
• Coordinates annual appeals.
• Coordinates inter-, intra- and external departmental communications about individual giving.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: NONE

Qualifications:

Education: BA/BS or equivalent level degree in appropriate field.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of development experience working within a complex organization.
• Raiser’s Edge database experience including entry, query and reporting functions
• Demonstrated ability to help identify and cultivate gifts, from institutions and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain relationships with significant donors on behalf of an institution, and an understanding of the record keeping and stewardship systems that support a successful donor relations program (particularly Raiser’s Edge).

Knowledge:

• Commitment to the philosophy and mission of NY Hall of Science by becoming fully conversant with NYSCI’s programs and funding opportunities.
• Must be a highly organized, detail oriented self-starter who is able to handle multiple projects simultaneously, often under time constraints;
• Flexibility and experience in building a solid donor program.
• Donor research skills including familiarity and/or experience with LexisNexis and Foundation Center’s Foundation Directory Online are a plus.
• A proven professional who promotes teamwork, creativity and open communication.
• Ability to get ideas accepted and to guide a group or individual to accomplish the task.
• Ability to modify interpersonal style and management approach to reach goal.
• Demonstrable experience in working with teams with the ability to harness team creativity and translate into effective fundraising.
• Strong communications skills with the ability to express ideas clearly both in written and oral communications.
• Ability and willingness to participate in events outside the workday schedule.
• Experience serving diverse audiences.
• A science center, natural history museum, or children’s museum background is preferred but not required.

Compensation: Commensurate with education, skills and experience, including an excellent NYSCI benefits package.

Application Instructions

Qualified candidates should send resume and cover letter with salary range/requirements. No calls please.

The New York Hall of Science supports diversity in the workplace. NYSCI is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and supports a drug free workplace