Director of Development and Communications

Hands-on House Children's Museum of Lancaster•Lancaster, PA

About The Position

The Director of Development and Communications leads fundraising and communications for HOH, growing corporate partnerships, annual giving, membership, and event revenue while increasing awareness of the Museum’s mission and impact. The role develops donor and sponsorship opportunities, prepares fundraising materials and reports, supports donor cultivation and stewardship, and collaborates with the Executive Director, board members, staff, consultants, and volunteers on a future capital and sustainability campaign. The position plans and delivers fundraising events, including HOH’s 40th anniversary event(s), and manages event goals, sponsorships, promotion, logistics, and follow-up. It also develops and implements an integrated communications strategy across social media, the website, email, advertising, public relations, and print materials. The Director builds community and media relationships, encourages visitors and partners to become advocates and donors, and represents the Museum at community events and meetings. The Director maintains accurate donor records, evaluates fundraising and communications results, and adjusts strategies based on data. The position requires ethical fundraising practices, donor confidentiality, responsive service, strong project management, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a busy, public-facing environment. A commitment to HOH’s mission and to advancing community, sustainability, access, and equity is expected.

Requirements

At least three years of relevant experience in fundraising, development, and/or communications, including proactive relationship development and network-building.
Demonstrated experience and success meeting revenue, campaign, or project goals.
Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to develop original proposals, appeals, articles, and public-facing content.
Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills and the ability to build trust and rapport with people from varied backgrounds.
Strong project management skills, including prioritizing, coordinating multiple projects, and meeting deadlines.
Comfort using donor databases or content management systems, Microsoft Office, and standard workplace software.
Ability to use data to evaluate results and adjust plans.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a busy, public-facing environment.
Commitment to HOH’s mission and to advancing community, sustainability, access, and equity.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Lancaster County’s philanthropic and business communities.
Experience with donor research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Experience securing corporate gifts and sponsorships.
Experience planning fundraising events and managing budgets.
Familiarity with website management, email/direct mail marketing, social media analytics, and graphic design tools.
Experience implementing marketing or communications strategies and creating content for digital and print platforms.
Strong customer service skills, sound judgment, and a growth mindset.

Responsibilities

Execute and grow the corporate partnership program, developing strategies for new, renewed, and increased annual support.
Identify corporate giving and sponsorship opportunities; prepare and submit proposals; and manage follow-up.
Coordinate with staff, board members, and community volunteers to cultivate corporate relationships, fulfill sponsorship commitments, and meet revenue targets.
Recognize and steward corporate supporters and provide reporting that demonstrates the mutual benefit of their support.
Plan and execute annual giving appeals, including HOH’s participation in ExtraGive.
Create fundraising appeals, acknowledgments, sponsorship materials, impact reports, and other fundraising communications.
Partner with the Director of Programs and Operations to increase membership sales, engagement, and retention.
Collaborate with the Executive Director, board members, colleagues, and consultants to prepare for a future capital and sustainability campaign.
As needed, identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and current donors through meetings, calls, correspondence, and other engagement.
Lead planning and execution of 40th anniversary event(s) with board leadership, staff, and volunteers.
Establish and track fundraising event revenue and expense targets; secure sponsors and participants; coordinate promotion, logistics, and donor follow-up; and evaluate results.
Develop and implement an integrated communications strategy to increase awareness of HOH, communicate its mission and impact, and support fundraising and visitation.
Collaborate with the Director of Programs and Museum Operations to balance promotional, educational, and philanthropic content across Museum channels.
Manage social media, website content, email newsletters, advertising, public relations, and print materials while maintaining a consistent voice and visual identity.
Plan content creation for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other relevant platforms.
Keep the website and third-party listings accurate, accessible, user-friendly, and aligned with Museum priorities.
Develop graphics independently or in collaboration with colleagues and outside designers.
Build relationships with media outlets, community organizations, and content partners to reach local families, regional residents, and tourists.
Create pathways for visitors, members, volunteers, and community partners to become more involved as advocates and donors.
Represent the Museum at community events and meetings.
Maintain accurate donor records, activity histories, acknowledgments, and reports.
Track fundraising and communications results, interpret data, and adjust strategies and resources accordingly.
Follow professional standards for ethical fundraising, donor confidentiality, and responsible stewardship.
Provide responsive, thoughtful service to donors, visitors, partners, and colleagues.