Director of Membership & Sponsorship at Genesee Country Museum

Town of Wheatland, New York, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

15 Jun, 26

Salary

70000.0

Posted On

17 Mar, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Fundraising, Membership Management, Sponsorship Acquisition, Donor Cultivation, Stewardship, Corporate Partnerships, Relationship Building, Solicitation, Communication, Customer Service, Prioritization, Supervision, Database Management, Microsoft Office Suite, Organizational Skills, Event Planning

Industry

Description

Position Title: Director of Membership & Sponsorship Reports to: Vice President of Development Direct Reports: Occasional oversight of staff and Volunteers Position Type: Year- Round, Full Time, Exempt position. Hours: Typically, a Monday-Friday schedule with occasional weekends and evenings needed during museums’ open season. WHO WE ARE: Genesee Country Village & Museum, located in Mumford, NY 25 miles outside of Rochester, is the largest living history museum in New York State. Our 68-building Historic Village, John L. Wehle Gallery, and Genesee Country Nature Center host nearly 100,000 guests each year on site, off site around the community, and online across the world. Learn more on our website www.gcv.org. POSITION OVERVIEW: The Director of Membership & Sponsorship is a key fundraising position focused on building and strengthening relationships with individual and corporate supporters. This role leads the Museum’s membership program, cultivates mid-level donors through general membership and the Founder’s Circle, and secures corporate partnerships through memberships and sponsorships. The Director also plays a significant role in donor cultivation and stewardship activities, including our annual signature event, The Whirl. This is an exciting opportunity for a development professional who enjoys connecting with donors, building partnerships in the community, and creating meaningful experiences that deepen engagement with the Museum. While some work may be completed remotely, regular onsite presence is essential to engage with the Museum’s programs, collaborate with colleagues, and build relationships with members, donors, and corporate partners. The mix of onsite and remote work may vary depending on experience, workload, and the Museum’s calendar of events. RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to): Manage Corporate Membership and Sponsorship Programs (30%) * Identify, cultivate, and steward local, regional, and national corporate prospects to secure both restricted and unrestricted support. * Develop and manage corporate membership and sponsorship opportunities that connect businesses with the Museum’s mission and audience. * Build strong relationships with corporate partners through regular outreach, meetings, and recognition opportunities. * Ensure fulfillment of sponsorship benefits and maintain accurate records of agreements and commitments. Mid-Level Gift Officer (30%) * Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects giving up to $10,000 annually through General and Founder’s Circle memberships. * Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to strengthen engagement and increase annual giving. * Conduct regular outreach through meetings, calls, tours, and personalized communication to deepen relationships with supporters. * Identify donors with major gift potential and partner with the development team to transition those relationships when appropriate. Manage General Museum Membership Program (20%) * Lead the Museum’s general membership program, including strategies for acquisition, renewal, retention, and upgrades. * Work closely with the Development Coordinator to ensure timely and accurate processing of memberships, renewals, acknowledgements, and member communications. * Collaborate with Marketing and Visitor Services teams to promote membership and enhance the member experience. * Monitor membership trends and data to identify opportunities for growth and improved retention. Donor Cultivation Activities & Stewardship Events (20%) * Support donor cultivation through one-on-one meetings, tours, and special events. * Plan and execute donor stewardship communications and engagement activities to deepen relationships and strengthen loyalty. * Serve a key role in securing sponsorships and supporting the planning and success of The Whirl, GCV&M’s annual signature fundraising event. Minimum Qualifications: * Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience. * Minimum of five years of nonprofit fundraising, membership, partnership development, or related relationship-driven roles, with demonstrated success in building donor or sponsor relationships and increasing support. * Strong written and verbal communication, customer service, and prioritization skills, along with the ability to represent the Museum in public forums in a skilled and professional manner. * Experience building relationships with a broad range of individuals, including donors, members, trustees, corporate partners, community leaders, staff, volunteers, and the general public. * Experience supervising or guiding staff and volunteers while demonstrating professional conduct, sound judgment, and ethical leadership. * Experience working with donor databases (Bloomerang preferred) and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). * Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and relationships simultaneously. * Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in fundraising practices. Working Conditions: * Ability to sit/stand for extended periods of time * Primarily working in an office environment and spending extended periods of time seated at desk using a computer and office equipment. * During the Museums busy season, this position may work outdoors and may be required to walk longer distances during shifts including different types of terrain or in inclement weather to accommodate events and meetings. SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary: $65,000-$70,000 (Based on experience) Benefits: We are proud to support the health and wellbeing of the people we employ. We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, NYS Disability, Supplemental Disability, Vacation, Personal time, Floating Holidays, accrued NYS Sick Leave and an employee assistance program. Every employee is provided with a yearly family level membership to GCV&M. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Genesee Country Village & Museum is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees, applicants, and interns for employment. We recruit, hire, train, and promote without discrimination due to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, citizenship, national origin, military or veteran status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Diversity Statement: Genesee Country Village & Museum is actively committed to broadening our understanding of DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) and making it part of everything that we do. Guided by our mission, values, and inclusive culture of curiosity, we celebrate the stories of our shared past; connect the rich diversity of the 19th century to the present; and collaborate with the communities we serve to create welcoming spaces for learning, work, exploration, and play.

Responsibilities

This key fundraising position focuses on building and strengthening relationships with individual and corporate supporters by leading the Museum’s membership program and securing corporate partnerships through memberships and sponsorships. The Director also plays a significant role in donor cultivation and stewardship activities, including the annual signature event, The Whirl.