VP of Mission Advancement & Infrastructure

Science Museum of Minnesota•Saint Paul, MN

About The Position

This role serves as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, acting as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and other senior leaders. The VP will advise on business and strategic planning, aligning the organization's direction with its mission, vision, and goals to enhance its stature, competitive advantage, and long-term sustainability. A significant part of the role involves working with the CEO and Board of Trustees on governance, fundraising, and revenue growth, including recruiting and retaining engaged board members. The position also provides visionary leadership for development, membership, fundraising operations, events, government relations, strategic partnerships, and sponsorship programs. The VP will develop and execute comprehensive fund development plans, stay informed about philanthropic and economic trends, and foster an internal culture of philanthropy. This role is the principal fundraising position, responsible for contributed revenue, government appropriations, and sponsorship programs. It also involves managing a portfolio of major and planned gift prospects and representing the organization to various stakeholders. Additionally, the VP will oversee Facilities and Human Resources functions, ensuring efficiency, innovation, and strategic alignment with the Museum's mission and objectives, while also focusing on building a diverse and inclusive workplace and strong employee culture.

Requirements

Experience as a strategic thought partner to senior leadership.
Experience working with a Board of Trustees on strategic direction and governance.
Experience in recruiting and retaining board members.
Experience in leading development, membership programs, fundraising operations, events, government relations, strategic partnerships, and sponsorship programs.
Experience in developing and executing comprehensive fund development plans.
Experience in managing contributed revenue, government appropriations, and sponsorship programs.
Experience managing a portfolio of major and planned gift prospects.
Experience representing an organization to diverse constituencies.
Experience designing and implementing strategies for a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Experience providing strategic, financial, and operational oversight to Facilities and Human Resources functions.
Experience aligning HR programs with organizational mission and strategic objectives.
Experience developing strategies for a strong employee culture.

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and act as a strategic thought partner to the CEO, and other senior leaders, with the responsibility to advise on their area of expertise regarding business and strategic planning.
Work collaboratively with the CEO and Board of Trustees to align strategic direction with the organization’s mission, vision and goals, positioning SMM to increase its stature, competitive advantage and long-term business sustainability and profitability.
Serve as the staff liaison to the Mission Advancement and Governance and Nominating Committees of the Board of Trustees, working closely with executive volunteers to recruit new board members around specific competencies, to build overall board engagement in the support of fundraising and revenue growth, and ensure the type and role of the board in support of SMM’s success.
Drive the recruitment and retention of Board of Trustee members who are highly engaged to support fundraising goals.
Provide visionary leadership, support, coaching and development for development, membership programs, fundraising/membership operations, events, government relations, strategic partnerships communications, and sponsorship programs.
Provide strategic vision and direction for a comprehensive and robust fund development program that includes activity in government relations, sponsorship, and contributed revenue from all sources.
Stay abreast of and inform Museum leadership of philanthropic, economic, social and community trends that might impact the organization's ability to meet contributed revenue targets.
Develop, in consultation with the CEO, annual fundraising, membership, sponsorship and overall contributed revenue plans and goals with multi-year forecasts based on results and trend information.
Build an internal culture of philanthropy, and related elements of the brand strategy, including effective organizational working relationships and roles that share accountability for revenue goals.
Provide leadership for execution of all contributed revenue, government appropriations (including government bonding), and sponsorship programs.
Personally complete solicitations from a portfolio of key major and planned gift prospects, and ensure the CEO, other senior and programmatic staff leaders, and the Board of Trustees are fully prepared and utilized effectively in cultivation and solicitation of major prospects.
Represent SMM to a broad range of constituencies, including board members, major donors and funders, museum members and volunteers, senior corporate executives, government officials, influential community members and partners, and foundation executives.
Design and implement strategies to build and engage a diverse and inclusive workplace; fully support the activation of SMM’s statement on Equity and Inclusion and related annual goals around equity, diversity, and ongoing commitment and learning of staff and board members related to the topics of equity and racial justice.
Provide strategic, financial, and operational oversight to the Facilities and Human Resources functions.
In partnership with the Senior Director of Facilities, ensure the organization is leveraging Facilities for efficiency and innovation while adhering to budget parameters.
In partnership with the Senior Director of Human Resources, strategically align Human Resources programs and priorities support the Museum’s mission and strategic objectives while developing strategies to provide a strong employee culture.
Performs other related duties as assigned.