Development Officer for Fundraising Events

NORTON MUSEUM OF ART INC•West Palm Beach, FL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Development Officer for Fundraising Events is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Director of Donor Engagement (DODE). This role supports the planning and execution of the Museum’s signature fundraising initiatives, including the Gala and ArtBeat, with a focus on delivering exceptional donor experiences that advance institutional revenue and engagement goals. Working in close partnership with Development Leadership, this position contributes to event strategy while leading the operational and logistical execution of fundraising events. The Development Officer collaborates across departments—including Development, Communications, and Event Services—as well as with external vendors and partners to ensure seamless, high-quality event delivery. As a key member of the Donor Engagement team, this role strengthens donor relationships, supports revenue generation through sponsorship and underwriting coordination, and ensures that all fundraising events reflect the Museum’s mission, values, and commitment to excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
3+ years of experience in event planning, development, fundraising, or a related field
Demonstrated experience supporting complex, high-profile events and/or donor engagement activities
Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize, manage multiple deadlines, and perform in a fast-paced environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a professional, donor-facing approach
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships across internal teams, external stakeholders, vendors, and community partners
High attention to detail, accuracy, and strong organizational skills
Demonstrated problem-solving ability and sound judgment in dynamic or high-pressure situations
Self-starter with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
Commitment to professionalism, discretion, and the highest ethical standards in handling confidential information
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with CRM or donor database systems required (Altru preferred)
Ability and willingness to work evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays in support of events and donor activities
Ability to respond to time-sensitive communications outside standard business hours when required
At the time of employment, employees are expected to be located within reasonable commuting distance of the museum. Commuting Distance means they are located in South Florida, and able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a museum or cultural institution preferred, but not required

Responsibilities

Support the planning and execution of the Museum’s major fundraising events, including Gala and ArtBeat
Translate event strategy and vision into detailed production and execution plans with appropriate parties in collaboration with Development Leadership
Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to manage event logistics, production timelines, and deliverables
Partner with Development Leadership to support event strategy and revenue-generating initiatives
Serve as the primary liaison between the Museum and external production, design, and event vendors for the Gala to ensure timely and accurate delivery of all event components
Partner with the Development Officer for Donor Events to execute the revenue and fundraising strategy for ArtBeat, translating event vision into detailed production plans and leading on-site implementation to ensure successful delivery of sponsorship, underwriting, and donor engagement goals
Oversee sponsorship fulfillment, underwriting coordination, and donor benefit execution to ensure all contractual obligations are met
Oversee guest operations for the Gala in collaboration with DODE, including guest lists, seating, registration, and on-site logistics
Collaborate with Communications and Marketing teams to support event messaging, invitations, promotional materials, and event collateral
Support tracking and reporting of event revenue, attendance, and post-event outcomes
Maintain accurate donor, guest, and event records in CRM systems to support reporting and stewardship (Altru preferred)
Ensure alignment between event execution, sponsorship deliverables, and overall fundraising strategy
Collaborate with Donor Relations and Individual Giving teams to integrate donor cultivation and stewardship touchpoints into fundraising event experiences
Provide on-site event support, including staff coordination, guest relations, troubleshooting, and execution oversight
Support event staffing and volunteer coordination as needed
Support post-event follow-up efforts, including donor acknowledgments, stewardship activities, and engagement tracking
General administrative tasks, including answering phones, and managing multiple email accounts
Contribute to broader Donor Engagement initiatives and special projects as needed

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Worksite plans & Additional Life Insurance
Basic Life Insurance and AD&D, employer paid
Short-term Disability Insurance, employer paid
Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
401(k) retirement plan and 2% employer match
Considerable paid time off, plus 4 additional discretionary days, and 9 recognized holidays
Flex Work options; hybrid & flexible schedule after an employee’s 90-day probationary period.
20% discount for staff in the Museum store
10% discount at The Restaurant
Membership to the ROAM Museum network