Development Manager

The Development Manager, Fundraising and Events is a dynamic, relationship-driven role at the heart of the Heckscher Museum's community. This position is responsible for growing and retaining our donor database, cultivating meaningful relationships with donors and patrons, producing a vibrant calendar of programs and events that bring our mission to life – including the Museum's annual fundraising event — our signature revenue-generating gala.
The ideal candidate shares our passion for art and community and is both a genuine relationship builder and a skilled event producer — equally comfortable managing a complex event timeline as they are hosting an exhibition opening or stewarding a major donor. The Development Manager, Fundraising and Events is part of a team of five; they will report directly to the Director of Development and oversee the Assistant Manager of Development and a part-time database administrator. This position is a meaningful opportunity to play a central role in sustaining and growing a beloved Long Island cultural institution.
First-Quarter Priorities: Annual Fundraising Gala Upon joining the Heckscher Museum, this role's primary focus will be taking full ownership of our annual fundraising event which takes place in October and supporting efforts for the centennial celebration of George Grosz’s Eclipse of the Sun. The successful candidate will be expected to quickly learn the event's history, relationships, and logistics, to lead its planning and execution as a top organizational priority. All other responsibilities will be phased in as capacity allows following the event cycle.
Key ResponsibilitiesDonor & Patron Relations• Build and steward relationships with individual donors and members at leadership giving levels, helping to raise approximately $1.5 million from individuals, corporations, and family foundations through solicitations, direct asks, and special events. • Develop and implement strategies to acquire new members and donors and move them through the donor pipeline. • Manage the full membership lifecycle — outreach, onboarding, renewal campaigns, and lapsed-member reactivation. Identify major donor prospects for further research and solicitation.• Delegate and coordinate membership communications, annual appeals, benefit solicitations, major donor asks, special appeals, and renewals, acknowledgements, and mailings with Assistant Manager of Development (a direct report to this position).• Track and analyze giving data to identify trends, set benchmarks and report on KPIs.• Collaborate with marketing to develop compelling membership collateral, email campaigns, and social content.• Serve as the primary point of contact for member and donor inquiries, ensuring a consistently warm and responsive experience that reflects the Museum's welcoming spirit.• Manage the Assistant Manager of Development, ensuring accurate and timely gift processing, record keeping and acknowledgments. Oversee and maintain accurate and up-to-date records in the CRM/donor database (e.g., Sales Force, Raiser's Edge, or similar).• Assist the Executive/Development Director in identifying prospects and preparing for cultivation conversations.• Annual Fundraising Gala Serve as the lead manager for the Heckscher Museum's flagship annual fundraising event, scheduled for October 2026. Responsible for all aspects of planning, execution, and follow-through from concept through post-event stewardship.• Work closely with the Director of Development, Event Committee, and board members to set and pursue revenue goals to raise $375,000-$400,000 through ticket sales, sponsorships, and live/silent auctions.• Own the full event production timeline, including venue coordination, catering, décor, entertainment, AV, and day-of logistics. • Work with Development Assistant Manager on coordination of event logistics.• Identify, solicit, and steward event sponsors and in-kind donors; manage sponsor recognition and fulfillment.• Recruit, train, and manage event volunteers and committee members.• Oversee invitation design, print materials, and communications in collaboration with marketing staff or vendors.• Work with Director of Development to manage event budget, track expenses, and produce a post-event financial and impact report for leadership.• Cultivate relationships with vendors, community partners, and board members to strengthen the event year over year.• Ensure a high-quality, memorable guest experience that reflects the Museum's legacy and mission.
Member & Community Events• With guidance from the DoD and support from the Assistant Manager of Development, plan and execute membership events including opening receptions, member previews, and community programs throughout Heckscher Park and the Museum.• Develop and maintain an annual events calendar aligned with the Museum's exhibition schedule and development goals.• Work cross-functionally with curatorial, education, community outreach, programs, and communications teams to engage cross-departmental collaboration on events and ensure events reflect the Museum's collection and institutional priorities.• Evaluate events against attendance, engagement, and revenue goals; apply learnings to improve future programming.• Develop engaging event and benefit promotion for the website, e-blast, social media, and other outlets.
QualificationsRequired• 3–5 years of experience in event management, membership, development, or a related nonprofit or cultural institution role.• Demonstrated success planning, executing, and overseeing fundraising for large-scale fundraising or special events, including managing budgets, vendors, and volunteers.• Experience working with sponsors, donors, or board members in a professional capacity.• Experience with CRM or membership database systems and comfort working with data.• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; a warm, professional presence in person and in writing.• Strong organizational skills, high attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under deadline.• Collaborative spirit with ability to work cross-departmentally and with volunteers and board.• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, particularly during the event and exhibition season.Preferred• Passion for visual art, art history, or museum culture — and an enthusiasm for sharing that passion with our community.• Familiarity with nonprofit fundraising principles and donor cultivation best practices.• Familiarity with Long Island's philanthropic and cultural community.• Experience with donor record management software (BlackBaud/RENxt) required.• Familiarity with event software (e.g., Zkipster) or event management platforms a plus.• Bachelor's degree in arts administration, nonprofit management, hospitality, communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

About the Heckscher Museum of Art

The Heckscher Museum of Art has been a source of art and inspiration on Long Island since its founding in 1920 by philanthropists Anna and August Heckscher. Located in scenic Heckscher Park in Huntington, NY, the Museum houses a collection of 2,300 artworks spanning the sixteenth century to the present. The Museum is committed to growing its collection to develop public awareness for artists whose careers and life experiences broaden our understanding of the past, foster community connections to the present, and create diverse possibilities for the future. Continuing the legacy of its founders, free admission is supported through a generous grant from Bank of America. For more information visit heckscher.org