Museum Development Officer Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Founded in 1941 by Ralph Hubbard Norton and his wife Elizabeth Calhoun Norton, the Norton Museum of Art is Florida’s largest art museum, renowned for its distinguished collection. The Norton Museum of Art welcomes visitors to experience the transformative power of art through intimate and creative encounters with wide-ranging collections and programs of the highest quality. With holdings spanning Contemporary, Early European, Modern, and Asian Art, as well as Photography, the Norton serves as a cherished institution within its community.

Our Commitments:

To uphold our mission and ensure the Norton’s relevance to our community, we are dedicated to the following principles:

• Art: We celebrate and share excellence in the arts in all its forms.

• Audience: We cultivate meaningful dialogues and relationships with a diverse and inclusive audience.

• Ambassadors: Our employees, Trustees, volunteers, and partners are the vital links connecting Art and Audience.

• Foundations: We are committed to preserving the Norton’s fiscal and physical legacy for future generations.

Position Summary:

The Development Officer for Upper-Level Membership is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Director of Donor Engagement (DODE). The role focuses on upper-level membership and mid-level donors, delivering meaningful, personalized engagement that supports long-term philanthropic commitment.

This position is responsible for the management and growth of the Museum’s Upper-Level Membership program, including the Norton Circle Membership levels ($2,500 - $10,000 annually), as well as the Emerging Collectors Council. The Development Officer for Upper-Level Membership sets and achieves annual revenue and retention goals, oversees program expenses, and develops and implements exclusive benefits, experiences, and engagement opportunities designed to cultivate and retain high-level members and donors.

Working as a key member of the Donor Engagement team, this role collaborates closely with Individual Giving, Institutional Giving, Member and Visitor Experience, and other internal partners to identify new member cultivation opportunities, steward existing supporters, and strengthen long-term donor relationships through thoughtful, high-touch engagement and exceptional customer service.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities - 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following

• Management of the Museum’s Upper-Level Membership program, including the Norton Circle levels (Donor, Benefactor, and Director) and the Emerging Collectors Council, inclusive of the following:

  • Fulfillment of Upper-Level Membership materials (Norton Circle, Curatorial Councils, and Emerging Collectors Council)

  • Renewal notices/outreach to existing Upper-Level Members

  • Monitoring program performance to ensure quarterly and annual revenue and retention goals

• Oversee program budgets and expenses in alignment with program objectives

• Monitor and evaluate program performance, including membership growth, retention, and engagement metrics

• Actively support the donor pipeline in collaboration with the DODE, Individual Giving, and Member and Visitor Experience teams by identifying opportunities for member cultivation, upgrades, and deeper donor engagement

• Maintain and execute a regular calendar of personalized donor touchpoints, including phone calls, individualized email outreach, and in-person meetings, to strengthen relationships and increase retention and commitment

• Partner with the DODE to evaluate, refine, and expand the Upper-Level Membership program, including setting and achieving revenue goals managing program budgets, and recommending strategic enhancements

• Collaborate with the DODE to create a strategic suite of member benefits and exclusive engagements that attract new upper-level members, retain current upper-level members, and create incentives for upgrades

• Collaborate with the Institutional Giving team on acquiring and stewarding membership partnerships with new developments in the West Palm Beach area.

• Maintain accurate donor and membership records, ensuring data integrity, in coordination with Development Operations

• Work with Member + Visitor Experience team to create a system to regularly audit member data to maintain database hygiene and produce membership mailing lists by utilizing database query functions. Utilize knowledge of Altru queries, membership reports and other tools to create budget estimates for Membership revenue, specifically within the Norton Circle levels 

• Oversee the exclusive engagements for Norton Circle Members + the Emerging Collectors Council, including Norton Circle Welcome Lunches, Emerging Collectors Council Events and/or Meetings, etc. 

• Work closely with the Development Officer for Donor Events and/or the Event Services team in updating pertinent details for event coordination (guest count, timing changes, décor elements, etc.)

• Work closely with Museum’s Curatorial Team in developing the Emerging Collectors Council season of events and coordinating acquisition efforts

• Collaborate with Donor Events, Individual Giving, Institutional Giving, and Member and Visitor Experience teams to align engagement strategies and identify cultivation opportunities

• Develop, write, and review donor-facing communications and marketing materials, including seasonal schedules, membership benefit materials, and digital newsletters, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with Museum branding standards

• Support stewardship and post-event strategies for major Museum fundraising initiatives, including the annual Gala

• Work synergistically with all departments of the Museum to create a seamless event experience for event attendees, staff, and Museums visitors

• Provide high-level, personalized customer service to cultivate and steward members and donors

• General administrative tasks, including answering phones, and managing multiple email accounts

• Handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately

• Work with Donor Engagement team members on tracking and reporting, as needed

• Attend evening and weekend events/fundraising activities and assist as needed

• Contribute to broader Donor Engagement initiatives and special projects as needed

Qualifications:

• Three or more years in a related role preferred, but not required

• BA/BS degree required 

• Museum or cultural institution experience preferred, but not required

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including database management (Altru proficiency a plus) 

• Excellent written, verbal, and communication skills with the ability to interact and integrate with a wide range of individuals. Experience working with external stakeholders such as consultants, partner organizations, and members of the community.

• Ability to convey a positive and professional image, especially in high-pressure situations 

• Self-starter with the ability to prioritize, multi-task, and excel in a fast-paced environment 

• Good decision making and problem solving skills 

• Demonstrate the highest level of personal and ethical standards 

• Attention to detail and accuracy in performance 

• Ability to meet and impose deadlines, working with minimal supervision 

• Ability and willingness to work extended hours, including nights and weekends as needed 

• Willingness to monitor personal and shared email inboxes after hours and on weekends

Physical Requirements: 

• This position will require evening, weekend and possible holiday hours. The person in this position must be able to move about inside and outside the office, stand for long periods of time (up to at least 4 hours), communicate with managers and employees, access and operate computer and other office equipment; and ability to lift, move or carry up to twenty-five (25) pounds.  

Hours & Compensation:

• Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

• Full-Time, Exempt/Non-Exempt

• Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Location Requirements:

At the time of employment, employees are expected to be located within reasonable commuting distance of the museum. Commuting Distance means they are located in South Florida, and able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

• Museum Location: 1450 South Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33413

Benefits Offerings:

The museum provides competitive compensation and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits may differ based on employment status.

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Worksite plans & Additional Life Insurance

• Basic Life Insurance and AD&D, employer paid

• Short-term Disability Insurance, employer paid

• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts

• 401(k) retirement plan and 2% employer match

• Considerable paid time off, plus 4 additional discretionary days, and 9 recognized holidays

• Flex Work options; hybrid & flexible schedule after an employee’s 90-day probationary period. NOTE: FlexWork is not suitable for all positions.

• 20% discount for staff in the Museum store

• 10% discount at The Restaurant

• Membership to the ROAM Museum network

Note:  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  

Norton Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Norton Museum of Art makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.