American Museum of Natural History
Senior Director, Membership & Annual Giving Programs
American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, us, 10261
Senior Director, Membership & Annual Giving Programs
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Senior Director, Membership & Annual Giving Programs
role at
American Museum of Natural History .
About the Organization The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869 with a dual mission of scientific research and science education, is one of the world's preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses more than 40 permanent exhibition halls, galleries for temporary exhibitions, the Rose Center for Earth and Space including the Hayden Planetarium, and the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. The Museum's scientists draw on a world‑class permanent collection of more than 30 million specimens and objects, some of which are billions of years old, and on one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, the Museum offers two of the only free‑standing, degree‑granting programs of their kind at any museum in the U.S.: the Ph.D. program in Comparative Biology and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Earth Science residency program.
Position Overview AMNH is seeking an accomplished and forward‑thinking Senior Director, Membership & Annual Giving Programs to lead one of the largest and most dynamic membership programs in the cultural sector. Reporting to the Vice President, Advancement, the Senior Director leads the day‑to‑day operations and long‑term strategy of the Museum's Membership and Annual Giving programs—currently generating $10M annually—fueling growth, innovation, and exceptional member experiences.
Responsibilities Membership & Annual Giving Strategy
Manage a $10M+ program through integrated campaigns (direct mail, email, digital, telemarketing, and onsite engagement) while delivering cost‑effective results.
Design and implement comprehensive strategies, leveraging both traditional and emerging platforms for member acquisition, retention, upgrades, and reactivation to achieve ambitious annual revenue goals and fuel growth.
Drive digital innovation for the department with a keen understanding of how to advance and deepen member relationships through the use of technology and automation.
Manage expense budgets, project revenues, and analyze performance to ensure financial sustainability and continuous growth.
Team Leadership & Management
Manage, mentor, and coach a team of 13 via three direct reports, cultivating a collaborative and accountable culture.
Provide training and professional development opportunities to enhance team effectiveness.
Direct the work of external consultants and/or agencies, including those providing marketing and digital services support for the department.
Membership Engagement & Stewardship
Oversee the fulfillment of benefits, member services, on‑site sales, and the Member Lounge to deliver high levels of stewardship and satisfaction and aid in achieving goals of increased membership revenue and households.
Direct the planning and execution of ~40 annual member programs and events, producing unique, mission‑driven experiences that strengthen loyalty to the Museum.
Develop stewardship opportunities and recognition strategies that deepen engagement and elevate member giving.
Cross‑functional Collaboration
Partner with colleagues in Advancement and across the institution, including Communications, Visitor Services, and IT, to align Membership and Annual Giving with institutional priorities.
Serve as a champion of Membership across the institution, giving voice to member interests with key internal stakeholders and promoting Membership and Annual Fund efforts as essential to the Museum's success.
Stay current on industry standards, best practices, and benchmarking; represent the Museum at industry events and with pertinent membership organizations.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required.
Minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience in membership, development, and/or marketing within a complex nonprofit or cultural institution (museum experience strongly preferred).
Minimum of six (6) years of leadership and management experience, including hiring staff and supervising robust teams.
Demonstrated success leading and managing large‑scale Membership and/or Annual Giving programs, including growth and innovation.
Expertise in direct response fundraising, digital marketing, data analytics, and member engagement strategies.
Strong financial management skills to oversee million‑dollar budgets and ensure cost‑effective ROI.
Ability to leverage systems and technology to drive results including CRMs; experience with Tessitura and Blackbaud's NxT preferred.
Highly organized, strategic, and entrepreneurial with the ability to balance competing priorities and stakeholder engagement within a complex institution.
Compensation & Benefits
Annual salary in the range of $180‑195K.
AMNH offers an extensive benefits package including medical, dental, and life insurance, retirement plans, and PTO. (Learn more at careers.amnh.org.)
AMNH has retained the Orr Group to conduct this search. Please direct all inquiries and interest to the Orr Group search team.
Jessica Shatzel Senior Director & Head of Talent Strategy Orr Group jshatzel@orrgroup.com
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Director, Membership & Annual Giving Programs
role at
American Museum of Natural History .
About the Organization The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869 with a dual mission of scientific research and science education, is one of the world's preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses more than 40 permanent exhibition halls, galleries for temporary exhibitions, the Rose Center for Earth and Space including the Hayden Planetarium, and the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. The Museum's scientists draw on a world‑class permanent collection of more than 30 million specimens and objects, some of which are billions of years old, and on one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, the Museum offers two of the only free‑standing, degree‑granting programs of their kind at any museum in the U.S.: the Ph.D. program in Comparative Biology and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Earth Science residency program.
Position Overview AMNH is seeking an accomplished and forward‑thinking Senior Director, Membership & Annual Giving Programs to lead one of the largest and most dynamic membership programs in the cultural sector. Reporting to the Vice President, Advancement, the Senior Director leads the day‑to‑day operations and long‑term strategy of the Museum's Membership and Annual Giving programs—currently generating $10M annually—fueling growth, innovation, and exceptional member experiences.
Responsibilities Membership & Annual Giving Strategy
Manage a $10M+ program through integrated campaigns (direct mail, email, digital, telemarketing, and onsite engagement) while delivering cost‑effective results.
Design and implement comprehensive strategies, leveraging both traditional and emerging platforms for member acquisition, retention, upgrades, and reactivation to achieve ambitious annual revenue goals and fuel growth.
Drive digital innovation for the department with a keen understanding of how to advance and deepen member relationships through the use of technology and automation.
Manage expense budgets, project revenues, and analyze performance to ensure financial sustainability and continuous growth.
Team Leadership & Management
Manage, mentor, and coach a team of 13 via three direct reports, cultivating a collaborative and accountable culture.
Provide training and professional development opportunities to enhance team effectiveness.
Direct the work of external consultants and/or agencies, including those providing marketing and digital services support for the department.
Membership Engagement & Stewardship
Oversee the fulfillment of benefits, member services, on‑site sales, and the Member Lounge to deliver high levels of stewardship and satisfaction and aid in achieving goals of increased membership revenue and households.
Direct the planning and execution of ~40 annual member programs and events, producing unique, mission‑driven experiences that strengthen loyalty to the Museum.
Develop stewardship opportunities and recognition strategies that deepen engagement and elevate member giving.
Cross‑functional Collaboration
Partner with colleagues in Advancement and across the institution, including Communications, Visitor Services, and IT, to align Membership and Annual Giving with institutional priorities.
Serve as a champion of Membership across the institution, giving voice to member interests with key internal stakeholders and promoting Membership and Annual Fund efforts as essential to the Museum's success.
Stay current on industry standards, best practices, and benchmarking; represent the Museum at industry events and with pertinent membership organizations.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required.
Minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience in membership, development, and/or marketing within a complex nonprofit or cultural institution (museum experience strongly preferred).
Minimum of six (6) years of leadership and management experience, including hiring staff and supervising robust teams.
Demonstrated success leading and managing large‑scale Membership and/or Annual Giving programs, including growth and innovation.
Expertise in direct response fundraising, digital marketing, data analytics, and member engagement strategies.
Strong financial management skills to oversee million‑dollar budgets and ensure cost‑effective ROI.
Ability to leverage systems and technology to drive results including CRMs; experience with Tessitura and Blackbaud's NxT preferred.
Highly organized, strategic, and entrepreneurial with the ability to balance competing priorities and stakeholder engagement within a complex institution.
Compensation & Benefits
Annual salary in the range of $180‑195K.
AMNH offers an extensive benefits package including medical, dental, and life insurance, retirement plans, and PTO. (Learn more at careers.amnh.org.)
AMNH has retained the Orr Group to conduct this search. Please direct all inquiries and interest to the Orr Group search team.
Jessica Shatzel Senior Director & Head of Talent Strategy Orr Group jshatzel@orrgroup.com
#J-18808-Ljbffr