Director, Donor Communications and Recognition

American Museum of Natural History•New York City, NY

1d•$150,000 - $165,000

About The Position

AMNH seeks a creative and entrepreneurial Director of Donor Communications and Recognition to join its high-performing Advancement team. Reporting to the Vice President, Advancement Operations and Strategy, the Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of both donor recognition and public-facing donor communications at the Museum. This role ensures that donor contributions are celebrated appropriately, consistently, and strategically, while developing the guidelines and standards that shape recognition and communication practices. The Director leads the creation of public-facing donor communications that articulate and elevate philanthropic partnership with the Museum and oversees donor recognition programs to ensure contributions are acknowledged meaningfully and according to a thoughtfully developed recognition framework. A strategic thinker and strong communicator, the Director is adept at balancing donor recognition with institutional priorities, benchmarking best practices, and aligning donor communications with the Museum’s voice, mission, and brand. This position requires exceptional judgment, writing skills, and cross-departmental collaboration to ensure donor visibility and acknowledgment are both meaningful and sustainable. The Director will partner with frontline fundraisers and Advancement leadership to coordinate recognition and communications strategies during cultivation and solicitation. Additionally, the Director will supervise a small team, providing mentorship and ensuring excellence in output. This is a high-impact opportunity for a results-driven donor communications leader to join a world-renowned cultural institution.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in advancement communications, donor relations, development, or related fields at a complex non-profit institution.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience supervising staff and fostering professional growth, creating a positive and productive work environment through collaboration, trust, and transparency.
Demonstrated experience in advancing donor recognition policies and standards; experience managing signage, naming, or crediting initiatives in a nonprofit setting strongly preferred.
Knowledge and understanding of data-informed comprehensive communications strategy for engagement and fundraising.
Exceptional writing, editing, and messaging skills, with the ability to distill complex information into clear and compelling original communications.
Proven ability to manage projects involving multiple stakeholders, with attention to detail, deadlines, and institutional priorities.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across departments and with senior leadership.
Proficient use of Microsoft Office programs, internet applications, and fundraising databases (knowledge of and experience with Raiser’s Edge, a plus).
High degree of professionalism, discretion, and judgment in managing donor-related information.

Responsibilities

Strategically oversee and manage all aspects of donor recognition, including signage, naming, crediting, and other forms of acknowledgment across the Museum.
Establish and maintain standards, policies, and guidelines for donor recognition and crediting to ensure consistency and alignment with institutional values.
Track and maintain records of donor recognition, naming commitments, and related obligations.
Partner with Operations, Legal, Exhibitions, and other Museum departments and external vendors to plan and implement recognition and signage installations.
Serve as the departmental lead in assessing and evolving recognition practices, ensuring they reflect industry best practices and resonate with donors.
Determine, source, and procure meaningful donor gifts that reflect the Museum’s mission and resonate with donor audiences, as needed.
Develop and craft original public-facing donor communications, including sponsorship descriptions, naming opportunity text, newsletters, website copy, and other advancement-related messaging highlighting philanthropic impact.
Create templates, guidelines, and messaging frameworks for donor communications to ensure a unified voice.
Collaborate with the Museum’s Communications and Marketing colleagues to align with institutional branding and external communications strategies.
Supervise and mentor a small team, ensuring professional development and career enhancement.
Identify, hire, and manage exceptional talent to meet the evolving needs and priorities of the team (one hire planned for 2026).