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Museum Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Neon Museum

Museum Guide

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$15.45/hr

The Museum Guide is responsible for delivering engaging, accurate, and informative guided tours of ... Guides can earn up to $20/hr over time with advanced training, skill development, and tenure.

New

Corning Museum of Glass

Museum Guide

Corning, NY · On-site

A successful Museum Guide will incorporate the Museum's mission, vision, and equity statement into ... professional development opportunities as needed. * Collaborate with other departments when ...

Children's Museum of Atlanta

Museum Educator

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$18.35 - $19.35/hr

Strong teaching skills and basic understanding of childhood developmental levels * Technology set ... museum education, after school programs, and/or camp counseling) preferred * 1-2 years face-to-face ...

Bishop Museum

Museum Educator

Honolulu, HI · On-site

$42K - $49K/yr

Audiences include school groups, community groups and Museum visitors of all ages. * Assist with the development and launch of innovative free and fee-based visitor experiences that serve visitor ...

University of Utah

Advancement Management

Campus, IL · On-site

The Director of Development's office is in the UMFA's Marcia and John Price Museum Building. Job duties are predominately performed in person with the ability to occasionally work from home. Due to ...

University of Utah

Advancement Management

Campus, IL · On-site

The Director of Development's office is in the UMFA's Marcia and John Price Museum Building. Job duties are predominately performed in person with the ability to occasionally work from home. Due to ...

University of Utah

Advancement Management

Campus, IL · On-site

The Director of Development's office is in the UMFA's Marcia and John Price Museum Building. Job duties are predominately performed in person with the ability to occasionally work from home. Due to ...

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Museum Development information

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$17.5K

$106.7K

$167K

How much do museum development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum development in the United States is $106,675.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,500.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Museum Development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Museum Development often encounter challenges such as securing consistent funding, balancing donor relations with institutional goals, and effectively communicating the museum's mission to potential supporters. To address these, it’s important to build strong relationships with donors, stay informed about grant opportunities, and collaborate closely with curators and leadership to align fundraising strategies with the museum’s vision. Flexibility, clear communication, and ongoing professional development are key to navigating these challenges successfully.

What is the difference between Museum Development vs Museum Education Coordinator?

AspectMuseum DevelopmentMuseum Education Coordinator
Primary FocusFundraising, grant writing, and strategic growthDesigning and implementing educational programs for visitors
Required CredentialsTypically a background in nonprofit management, fundraising, or related fieldsOften a degree in education, museum studies, or related areas
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, with some travel for outreach and eventsOn-site at museums, schools, or community centers
Industry UsageCommonly found in museums focusing on growth and sustainabilityCommon in museums emphasizing visitor engagement and education

While Museum Development focuses on fundraising and strategic growth to ensure the museum's sustainability, Museum Education Coordinators concentrate on creating educational programs to engage visitors. Both roles are vital but serve different aspects of museum operations, often working together to enhance the museum's overall mission.

What is Museum Development?

Museum Development refers to the process of supporting and enhancing museums through fundraising, strategic planning, audience engagement, and resource management. Professionals in this field work to secure financial support, build partnerships, and implement programs that increase a museum's impact and sustainability. Their efforts help ensure that museums remain accessible, relevant, and able to fulfill their educational and cultural missions. Museum development staff often collaborate with curators, educators, and community leaders to create lasting value for both the institution and the public.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Museum Development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Museum Development, you need strong fundraising, grant writing, and project management skills, often supported by a degree in arts administration, museum studies, or nonprofit management. Familiarity with donor management systems (such as Raiser’s Edge), CRM platforms, and fundraising software is typically required. Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and strategic planning skills set outstanding professionals apart in this field. These skills are crucial for securing financial support, building community partnerships, and ensuring the museum’s long-term sustainability.
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What cities are hiring for Museum Development jobs? Cities with the most Museum Development job openings:
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Museum Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Development job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,675 per year, or $51.3 per hour.

Associate Director of Museum Development

Colby College

Waterville, ME • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Colby College rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

383rd of 614 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Job Description
Department:
Museum DevelopmentPay Rate Type:
SalaryEmployee Type:
Job Summary:
Reporting to the executive director of museum development, the Associate Director of Museum Development is responsible for broadening and deepening philanthropic engagement with the Colby Museum of Art. At an exciting moment of growth for the museum and Colby during the Dare Northward campaign and with an investment in the arts ecosystem that includes collaborative programming located in downtown Waterville, the associate director will primarily raise leadership gifts and sponsorships to the museum, as well as work with other advancement teams on executing communications and events to highlight the museum's good work and generate philanthropic interest. The associate director of museum development will activate a robust community of support for the museum through management of Friends of Art, and by envisioning and executing both broad-based and targeted engagement strategies through events and communications. As the museum's community of annual philanthropic supporters and advocates, Friends of Art is a capacious vehicle 1) to drive continued relationships with donors - at every level - who care deeply about the museum and 2) to cultivate a new and more diverse generation of philanthropists who will support the museum's program and values.
This vital contributor to the Colby Museum of Art and the Division of College Advancement will nurture reliable annual support for sustainable philanthropic impact year after year, and develop a pipeline to discover new opportunities for augmented support through leadership annual, capital, and planned giving, as well as through gifts of art to the museum's collection. In supporting overall objectives for museum development, the associate director of museum development will also provide critical research, reporting, solicitation, and stewardship assistance. As a liaison to the museum, the associate director of museum development has a deep appreciation for the liberal arts college experience and academic art museums
The hiring range for this position is $68,000 - $88,800.
Essential Functions
To be successful in this position, an individual should be able to perform the essential duties and bring the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that support the role. This list of duties is intended to be representative rather than exhaustive, and additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.
Fundraising
  • Manage a portfolio of 100+ households to build meaningful relationships and solicit leadership annual level gifts to the Colby Museum ($2,500 to $99,000)
  • Review gifts to the museum regularly and conduct research on donor histories, capacity, and inclination to identify opportunities for further engagement, cultivation, and personalized stewardship

Friends of Art, Appeals and Pipeline Development
  • Manage annual solicitation plan to renew and build participation in Friends of Art in close collaboration with the Colby Museum of Art, Colby Fund, and Advancement Communications and Engagement teams and as overseen by the executive director of museum development
  • Serve as content expert on Friends of Art print and digital appeals, working closely with Colby Fund team on voice, content, and recipient lists

Museum Development Events
  • Contribute to ideation and participate in execution for museum events, including traveling exhibitions, Friends of Art cultivation events, and the annual Summer Luncheon - a daytime festivity that brings together approximately 600 friends of the museum in celebration of its commitment to transforming lives through art, the contributions of artists, and the philanthropy that makes its mission and programs possible

Museum Development Communications
  • In partnership with the annual giving team and museum communication team, develop and execute communications strategy that features and distributes museum content for donor-focused communications in coordination with the Colby Museum of Art's communications manager, Advancement Communications, and the Office of Communications as appropriate, whether leveraging existing (such as the museum's e-newsletter or digital publication, The Lantern) or drafting and managing additional communications
  • Serve as proactive and reliable resource for frontline fundraisers in relaying museum content with prospects

Data Review and Gift Acknowledgments
  • Track and assess progress to fundraising and participation goals for all annual giving to the Colby Museum
  • Oversee the weekly gift acknowledgement process in coordination with the Administrative Operations team, providing timely, standardized thank you letters from the Colby Museum of Art's Carolyn Muzzy Director for gifts in support of the museum and drafting tailored communications as necessary

General
  • Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Position Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or the equivalent in education and experience
  • Minimum of 3-5 years of fundraising or related experience in a college, university, museum, cultural, or complex institution with success in making direct solicitations
  • Demonstrated capacity to organize and manage programs
  • Superb organizational skills, ability to consistently meet deadlines and follow through on assignments, and great attention to detail
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Proficiency with fundraising/alumni relations or equivalent relationship management databases and technology
  • Proven collaboration and teamwork skills in a diverse community to leverage activities, initiatives, and programs for multiple purposes
  • Strong, self-motivated work ethic; flexibility; and demonstrated capability to work both independently and constructively as a member of a diverse community
  • Appreciation of Colby's and Colby College Museum of Art's missions and the ability to effectively communicate them
  • Unwavering commitment to fostering an anti-racist, equitable work environment supportive of people from different cultures, backgrounds, and life paths
  • Willingness and ability to work outside normal working hours (i.e. nights and weekends)
  • Must be willing to travel; valid driver's license required and must meet the College's Fleet Safety Policy requirements

Key Relationships:
Reporting to the executive director of museum development, the associate director of museum development will work closely with the Colby College Museum of Art's Carolyn Muzzy director and advancement partners.. The associate director of museum development will have direct contact with museum staff and key members of the Museum Board of Governors.
Physical/Mental Demands
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • To perform this role effectively, an employee is expected to handle employee information, documents, and sensitive matters with care, professionalism, and respect for privacy.
  • This position involves working with a variety of timelines, including some that require quick turnaround and responsiveness to urgent needs.
  • In this role, the employee will interact with members of the public and others in a variety of situations and conversations. Presenting oneself in a professional, respectful, and thoughtful manner at all times is an important part of the role.
  • This position includes regular movement throughout office spaces, hallways, meeting rooms, and other campus locations.
  • Daily work will involve extended use of a computer, including keyboard and mouse
  • Physical requirements differ by position. In general, most roles involve lifting up to 10 pounds regularly, with some positions requiring occasional lifting of up to 35 pounds.
  • Vision requirements for this position include the ability to see clearly at close and far distances and to adjust focus as needed.
  • The work environment is dynamic and engaging, often involving multiple tasks and projects that require shifting focus and strong organizational skills..
  • The noise level is generally moderate; however, there may be occasional moments of louder sounds depending on campus activity.

Colby College supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

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