Description

COMMITMENT TO RACIAL EQUITY

The Missouri Historical Society commits to a process of listening attentively to one another and leveraging best practices and resources across our organization to promote a culture of inclusion where individuals from all racial and ethnic identities; ages; nationalities; social and economic statuses; sexual orientations; gender identities/expressions; religious, political, and ideological perspectives; and abilities are able to be engaged, feel valued, and thrive. click here for the full Commitment to Racial Equity

The Missouri Historical Society is a leading history museum and cultural institution dedicated to preserving and sharing the diverse St. Louis stories that have shaped our region, nation, and world. Through dynamic exhibitions, educational programs, and community engagement, we inspire curiosity, foster dialogue, and connect people to the past in meaningful ways. As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to diversity, inclusion, and public service

Position Summary:

As a key leader in the philanthropy team, the Senior Charitable Giving Advisor will play an instrumental role in driving major gifts and sustaining long-term donor relationships for the Missouri Historical Society. Reporting to the Managing Director of Philanthropy and working closely with the Director of Development, this senior position will be responsible for securing principal, planned, and major gifts to support MHS's annual, capital, and special campaigns.

In this role, you'll lead by example-managing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals while mentoring and guiding the Charitable Giving Advisors on your team. You'll work collaboratively with the Director of Development to execute sophisticated fundraising strategies and ensure that all fundraising efforts align with MHS's mission and organizational goals. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, results-driven leader with a passion for history, culture, and strategic donor engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategic Fundraising

• Lead and Manage Major Gifts: Secure transformational gifts by developing and executing targeted strategies for principal, planned, and major gift prospects.
• Build and manage relationships with a portfolio of ~100 key donors and prospects.
• Collaborate with Director of Development: Work closely with the Director of Development to coordinate major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts for both annual and capital campaigns.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Supervise, guide, and support a team of Charitable Giving Advisors, ensuring high levels of performance, professional development, and strategic alignment in meeting fundraising targets.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Create Personalized Donor Strategies: Craft individualized engagement plans that lead to long-term, sustainable relationships with high-value donors.
• Collaborate on stewardship and recognition plans to ensure donors feel valued and connected to the mission.
• Drive Relationship Building: Engage with donors in person and virtually, managing all aspects of their journey from prospecting to gift closure, with a focus on building trust and excitement around MHS's vision.

Campaign Management & Collaboration

• Serve as a Senior Leader: As a senior member of the development team, collaborate with the Managing Director of Philanthropy and the Director of Development to execute campaign strategies, including capital and planned giving campaigns.
• Foster Cross-Departmental Partnerships: Partner with philanthropy team and other MHS departments (e.g., marketing, finance, programs) to ensure integrated prospect cultivation, donor engagement, and stewardship plans that reflect the full impact of donor contributions.
• Event & Engagement Planning: Collaborate with special events and museum team members to create high-impact donor events and special engagement opportunities, from private tours to exclusive speaker series, strengthening donor connections to the museum's work.

Data-Driven Decision Making

• Utilize Altru CRM System: Ensure gift advisors track donor interactions and maximize donor engagement through Altru, leveraging data to inform fundraising strategies and optimize donor relationships.
• Reports & Analytics: Partner with Database Manager to provide detailed reports to senior leadership on campaign progress, donor engagement, and fundraising metrics, helping shape future strategies and tactical adjustments.

Education and Experience:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, including demonstrated success securing principal, planned, and major gifts.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to make compelling presentations to varied groups. Strong relationship-building skills with a proven track record in cultivating major gift prospects.
• Experience supervising or managing a team of development professionals, with the ability to inspire, coach, and empower staff to meet and exceed fundraising goals.
• Ability to think critically and strategically while managing complex donor portfolios and balancing multiple fundraising priorities.
• Familiarity with donor management software (e.g., Altru, Raiser's Edge) and proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.
• A passion for arts, culture, and history with an understanding of the nonprofit sector and donor behavior.

Deadline to Apply: Open until filled.

Please upload cover letter and resume when applying.

*External job boards: Please click this link, to apply.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Services Provided On A Non-Discriminatory Basis