Cheekwood
Description
Apply below after reading through all the details and supporting information regarding this job opportunity.
Cheekwood is a 55-acre American Country Place Era estate in Nashville, Tennessee. Built in 1929 by the Cheek family, the estate was gifted and opened as a public institution in 1960. Today it serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum. The property includes 13 distinct gardens, a 1.5-mile woodland trail featuring outdoor monumental sculpture, an 8,000-piece permanent art collection, and Georgian-style Mansion with historically furnished rooms and galleries.
Cheekwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and nationally as a Level II Arboretum. It is a three-time voted USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden, in 2024 received a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, and in 2021 was named by Fodors as one of the 12 Most Beautiful Gardens in the American South. Cheekwood has a $17M budget and more than 200 full and part-time staff, presenting four seasons of family-oriented festivals, world-class exhibitions, and educational programs for over 380,000 visitors and 17,000 member families annually.
Position Description
Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) serves as a senior member of Cheekwood’s six-member Executive Leadership Team while collaborating with the Board of Trustees to advance Cheekwood’s strategic priorities. A mission-driven, high-performing and innovative development professional, the CDO leads in planning and executing the vision and strategy for Cheekwood’s philanthropic programs. They work in partnership with the CEO, and Cheekwood’s executive team to nurture and sustain Cheekwood’s philanthropy culture. They will maintain a portfolio of high-profile prospects with the capacity to support the institution with gifts of $100,000 and greater. With the CEO, executive leaders and Board members, the CDO leads and promotes Cheekwood’s philanthropic culture to elevate and drive broad engagement in Cheekwood’s philanthropic agenda and vision.
The CDO maintains a portfolio of 100 – 125 high-profile prospects with the capacity to support the organization with transformational gifts. As the chief strategist, the CDO effectively leads and manages the development team and development operations, ensuring the optimization of giving across all constituencies, gift levels and gift types. The CDO collaborates with the CEO and with Cheekwood’s museum, gardens and education team to identify strategic funding needs, opportunities and/or priorities. The CDO works collaboratively with the marketing team to ensure consistent branding, clear and targeted messaging to promote strong relationships with donors, members and the public.
Essential Responsibilities
The CDO understands and embraces the history, mission, vision and culture of the organization, and has an in-depth understanding of the organization’s programs, services and future strategic plans. The CDO is charged with the oversight and execution of Cheekwood’s comprehensive fundraising program, with an emphasis on major gifts and including annual giving, planned giving programs, Institution grant support, corporate giving and donor stewardship. The CDO will have the responsibility for interpreting the philanthropic mission of Cheekwood to the broader Nashville community and beyond. The CDO serves as the staff liaison in Cheekwood’s Development Committee in partnership with the CEO. Reporting regularly to the Board on philanthropy activities and plans, the CDO involves and educates Board Trustees, fostering an environment that supports the Board’s successful engagement in achieving philanthropic objectives. Working collaboratively with the Development team, the CDO prepares the comprehensive annual Development Plan with fundraising targets for the philanthropy program and sets its strategic priorities as approved by the CEO. The comprehensive, data-driven plan includes donor segmentation, objectives for individual and institutional fundraising and success metrics, identification of staff and Board who will be actively involved in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding relationships with existing and new donors, and donor recognition programs They will partner with the CEO and other executive team members on the execution of a capital campaign, future fundraising priorities as well as future emerging initiatives. The CDO prepares the comprehensive annual fundraising targets for the philanthropy program and sets its strategic priorities as approved with the CEO. Manages a portfolio of 100-125 major and transformational prospects and maintains the appropriate mix of major and transformational gift prospects, in identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship status. As such, the CDO ensures that philanthropic targets for the position and the department are achieved. Conducts an annual analysis of giving by all giving constituencies, gift type and gift level to ensure that opportunities in giving are seized while weaknesses are resolved. Provides staff support for the Development Committee of the Board, providing support for reports to the Board and Executive Committee, coordinating meetings and preparing agendas, reports and minutes as needed. Meets and exceeds major gift performance metrics, reporting on outcomes of a measurable number of face-to-face visits with donors and prospects while ensuring that industry standard metrics are met by the full development team. Collaborates with and manages a grants writer who is responsible for the production of foundation, family foundation and government grants. Reviews the fundraising infrastructure to ensure that the organization can respond quickly, effectively, creatively, and contextually to long-term financial requirements and short-term operating needs; assess all fundraising efforts and provide support for those efforts as needed. Guides members of the development and marketing teams in the creation of donor-related materials and collaterals, including print and electronic appeals, stewardship communications, and meeting packets. Provides timely notice to the Executive VP, Chief Financial Officer and other staff of impending gifts to ensure a clear path of accounting procedures and gift recognition. Provides vision and guides the development team, and as appropriate works with the Sr. VP of Museum Affairs and VP of Gardens, in creating and executing special events and an inventory of cultivation and engagement programs that enhance donor engagement, including donor society receptions and dinners, special events, private gatherings, and events celebrating contributions of various individual donors and marking special milestones for Cheekwood. In collaboration with the marketing team, develops and guides Cheekwood’s overall messaging to appeal to various donor constituencies. As such, collaborates with the marketing team to ensure consistent branding, clear and targeted messaging, and strong relationships with supporters. Coaches, supervises, and evaluates the development team, ensuring the team receives professional development and tools needed to accomplish their jobs. In coordination with the CEO and marketing team, looks for opportunities to increase visibility through strategic partnerships, events, and special initiatives as schedule and budget allow, representing the CEO, as needed.
Requirements
10-15 plus years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, major and planned gifts, proposal and grant writing, annual giving, foundation and corporate giving, marketing, communications and brand management in a related field within a nonprofit organization. Appreciation for and experience working in cultural or arts organization is preferred. An innovative leader with experience as a senior director effectively leading, inspiring and mentoring teams, staff and volunteers with measurable success attracting and personally closing major gifts of $100,000 and more. Bachelor’s and preferably advanced degree in nonprofit leadership, communications or related field. Proven ability to lead strategic planning, manage team execution against measurable goals and objectives as well as develop and effectively manage department budgets. Ability to build and foster collaborative relationships with cross-organizational colleagues to stay informed of new and current work. Demonstrate a genuine concern for people which goes beyond caring about the donors and the patrons but extends as well into concern for the team. Taking time to listen to the concerns of other team members, colleagues in the development office and others in the organization. Experience motivating and collaborating successfully with Board Trustees and volunteers. Exceptional interpersonal, oral/written communication, organization, prioritizing and articulate presentation skills. Ability to thrive in a dynamic, entrepreneurial, results-driven, and fast-paced environment while fostering growth, learning and continuous improvement. Well organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects on tight deadlines. Superior at multi-tasking with a high sense of purpose and urgency. Expertise in fundraising databases and an understanding of donor data analytics for data mining and prospecting and fundraising tracking reporting. Exceptional interpersonal skills with proven track record of cultivating strong relationships with internal and external constituents and donors and creating effective trusted relationships and partnerships with other team members, Board members, volunteers, and donors.
Benefits
The well-being of Cheekwood employees is essential. So, when it comes to our benefits package, we offer one of the best. We offer the following benefits to all full-time employees:
Health Insurance with an HRA Dental Vision Life Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood) Long Term Disability Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood) Voluntary Life Insurance Short Term Disability Insurance 403b and Roth 403b with a generous employer match Employee Assistance Program Paid Time Off and 11 Paid Holidays Aflac products are offered.
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Apply below after reading through all the details and supporting information regarding this job opportunity.
Cheekwood is a 55-acre American Country Place Era estate in Nashville, Tennessee. Built in 1929 by the Cheek family, the estate was gifted and opened as a public institution in 1960. Today it serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum. The property includes 13 distinct gardens, a 1.5-mile woodland trail featuring outdoor monumental sculpture, an 8,000-piece permanent art collection, and Georgian-style Mansion with historically furnished rooms and galleries.
Cheekwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and nationally as a Level II Arboretum. It is a three-time voted USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden, in 2024 received a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, and in 2021 was named by Fodors as one of the 12 Most Beautiful Gardens in the American South. Cheekwood has a $17M budget and more than 200 full and part-time staff, presenting four seasons of family-oriented festivals, world-class exhibitions, and educational programs for over 380,000 visitors and 17,000 member families annually.
Position Description
Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) serves as a senior member of Cheekwood’s six-member Executive Leadership Team while collaborating with the Board of Trustees to advance Cheekwood’s strategic priorities. A mission-driven, high-performing and innovative development professional, the CDO leads in planning and executing the vision and strategy for Cheekwood’s philanthropic programs. They work in partnership with the CEO, and Cheekwood’s executive team to nurture and sustain Cheekwood’s philanthropy culture. They will maintain a portfolio of high-profile prospects with the capacity to support the institution with gifts of $100,000 and greater. With the CEO, executive leaders and Board members, the CDO leads and promotes Cheekwood’s philanthropic culture to elevate and drive broad engagement in Cheekwood’s philanthropic agenda and vision.
The CDO maintains a portfolio of 100 – 125 high-profile prospects with the capacity to support the organization with transformational gifts. As the chief strategist, the CDO effectively leads and manages the development team and development operations, ensuring the optimization of giving across all constituencies, gift levels and gift types. The CDO collaborates with the CEO and with Cheekwood’s museum, gardens and education team to identify strategic funding needs, opportunities and/or priorities. The CDO works collaboratively with the marketing team to ensure consistent branding, clear and targeted messaging to promote strong relationships with donors, members and the public.
Essential Responsibilities
The CDO understands and embraces the history, mission, vision and culture of the organization, and has an in-depth understanding of the organization’s programs, services and future strategic plans. The CDO is charged with the oversight and execution of Cheekwood’s comprehensive fundraising program, with an emphasis on major gifts and including annual giving, planned giving programs, Institution grant support, corporate giving and donor stewardship. The CDO will have the responsibility for interpreting the philanthropic mission of Cheekwood to the broader Nashville community and beyond. The CDO serves as the staff liaison in Cheekwood’s Development Committee in partnership with the CEO. Reporting regularly to the Board on philanthropy activities and plans, the CDO involves and educates Board Trustees, fostering an environment that supports the Board’s successful engagement in achieving philanthropic objectives. Working collaboratively with the Development team, the CDO prepares the comprehensive annual Development Plan with fundraising targets for the philanthropy program and sets its strategic priorities as approved by the CEO. The comprehensive, data-driven plan includes donor segmentation, objectives for individual and institutional fundraising and success metrics, identification of staff and Board who will be actively involved in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding relationships with existing and new donors, and donor recognition programs They will partner with the CEO and other executive team members on the execution of a capital campaign, future fundraising priorities as well as future emerging initiatives. The CDO prepares the comprehensive annual fundraising targets for the philanthropy program and sets its strategic priorities as approved with the CEO. Manages a portfolio of 100-125 major and transformational prospects and maintains the appropriate mix of major and transformational gift prospects, in identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship status. As such, the CDO ensures that philanthropic targets for the position and the department are achieved. Conducts an annual analysis of giving by all giving constituencies, gift type and gift level to ensure that opportunities in giving are seized while weaknesses are resolved. Provides staff support for the Development Committee of the Board, providing support for reports to the Board and Executive Committee, coordinating meetings and preparing agendas, reports and minutes as needed. Meets and exceeds major gift performance metrics, reporting on outcomes of a measurable number of face-to-face visits with donors and prospects while ensuring that industry standard metrics are met by the full development team. Collaborates with and manages a grants writer who is responsible for the production of foundation, family foundation and government grants. Reviews the fundraising infrastructure to ensure that the organization can respond quickly, effectively, creatively, and contextually to long-term financial requirements and short-term operating needs; assess all fundraising efforts and provide support for those efforts as needed. Guides members of the development and marketing teams in the creation of donor-related materials and collaterals, including print and electronic appeals, stewardship communications, and meeting packets. Provides timely notice to the Executive VP, Chief Financial Officer and other staff of impending gifts to ensure a clear path of accounting procedures and gift recognition. Provides vision and guides the development team, and as appropriate works with the Sr. VP of Museum Affairs and VP of Gardens, in creating and executing special events and an inventory of cultivation and engagement programs that enhance donor engagement, including donor society receptions and dinners, special events, private gatherings, and events celebrating contributions of various individual donors and marking special milestones for Cheekwood. In collaboration with the marketing team, develops and guides Cheekwood’s overall messaging to appeal to various donor constituencies. As such, collaborates with the marketing team to ensure consistent branding, clear and targeted messaging, and strong relationships with supporters. Coaches, supervises, and evaluates the development team, ensuring the team receives professional development and tools needed to accomplish their jobs. In coordination with the CEO and marketing team, looks for opportunities to increase visibility through strategic partnerships, events, and special initiatives as schedule and budget allow, representing the CEO, as needed.
Requirements
10-15 plus years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, major and planned gifts, proposal and grant writing, annual giving, foundation and corporate giving, marketing, communications and brand management in a related field within a nonprofit organization. Appreciation for and experience working in cultural or arts organization is preferred. An innovative leader with experience as a senior director effectively leading, inspiring and mentoring teams, staff and volunteers with measurable success attracting and personally closing major gifts of $100,000 and more. Bachelor’s and preferably advanced degree in nonprofit leadership, communications or related field. Proven ability to lead strategic planning, manage team execution against measurable goals and objectives as well as develop and effectively manage department budgets. Ability to build and foster collaborative relationships with cross-organizational colleagues to stay informed of new and current work. Demonstrate a genuine concern for people which goes beyond caring about the donors and the patrons but extends as well into concern for the team. Taking time to listen to the concerns of other team members, colleagues in the development office and others in the organization. Experience motivating and collaborating successfully with Board Trustees and volunteers. Exceptional interpersonal, oral/written communication, organization, prioritizing and articulate presentation skills. Ability to thrive in a dynamic, entrepreneurial, results-driven, and fast-paced environment while fostering growth, learning and continuous improvement. Well organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects on tight deadlines. Superior at multi-tasking with a high sense of purpose and urgency. Expertise in fundraising databases and an understanding of donor data analytics for data mining and prospecting and fundraising tracking reporting. Exceptional interpersonal skills with proven track record of cultivating strong relationships with internal and external constituents and donors and creating effective trusted relationships and partnerships with other team members, Board members, volunteers, and donors.
Benefits
The well-being of Cheekwood employees is essential. So, when it comes to our benefits package, we offer one of the best. We offer the following benefits to all full-time employees:
Health Insurance with an HRA Dental Vision Life Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood) Long Term Disability Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood) Voluntary Life Insurance Short Term Disability Insurance 403b and Roth 403b with a generous employer match Employee Assistance Program Paid Time Off and 11 Paid Holidays Aflac products are offered.
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