The Director of Advancement leads fundraising and external relations for the Newport Art Museum, driving philanthropic support for the Museum’s mission, exhibitions, educational programs, and long-term strategic priorities. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this role will shape and execute a comprehensive advancement strategy during an exciting period of institutional growth and community engagement.

Building on the Museum’s 114-year legacy as a cornerstone of Rhode Island’s artistic community, the Director of Advancement will cultivate support from longtime donors while expanding the Museum’s philanthropic reach among Newport’s growing population of seasonal and year-round residents, including many new arrivals from major metropolitan areas. The successful candidate will inspire investment in the Museum’s future through individual giving, major gifts, grants, foundation and corporate partnerships, membership, special events, and planned giving.

The Director of Advancement works closely with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and other department directors, oversees the Museum’s Advancement Assistant and Advancement Intern, and is responsible for building and sustaining a vibrant community of donors, with particular emphasis on growing leadership-level giving and identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding new prospects. They will lead the Annual Fund, manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, and support board engagement in fundraising. They will also oversee the Museum’s signature fundraising events, including the annual Summer Art Party gala, a premier fixture in Newport’s cultural and philanthropic calendar.

The successful candidate will be a creative, strategic thinker with a collaborative spirit and a passion for advancing the Museum’s curatorial and educational mission. They will possess the skill to lead fundraising and external relations initiatives both independently and in collaboration, while embracing opportunities to contribute to projects large and small. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional writing, communication, and organizational skills; meticulous attention to detail; the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team; and demonstrated experience managing and mentoring support staff.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Sets annual fundraising goals with Executive Director
• Works closely with the Board of Trustees on Annual Giving Advancement Committee leadership
• Oversees and directs Special events, especially the Summer Art Party
• Oversees the growth of the Museum’s membership program, particularly at the upper levels
• Manages the Advancement team, and works closely with other Department heads to advance the Museum’s development efforts
• Drafts and/or supervises and approves all Advancement Department materials, including acknowledgments, renewals, solicitations, and the annual report
• Works with the Director of Operations to support all institutional and government grants, along with interim and final reports, as well as the maintenance of the grants calendar
• Works with and supervises the Director of Marketing in the production of all marketing materials
• Leads major gift prospecting, solicitations, and stewardship
• Plans a calendar of annual cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising events
• Develops and manages department budget, with close monitoring of revenue and expenses
• Oversees the annual report

Please send a cover letter and resume to Brandon Taylor Miller, Director of Operations, at bmiller@newportartmuseum.org