1

Museum Development Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Major Gifts Officer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$68K - $78K/yr

Summary of Position Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) seeks a dedicated Major Gifts Officer to join our Development team to help the Museum become the most community-centered art museum in the Northwest, and ...

Major Gifts Officer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$77K - $100K/yr

Summary of Position Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) seeks a dedicated Major Gifts Officer to join our Development team to help the Museum become the most community-centered art museum in the Northwest, and ...

Chief Development Officer Department : Development Classification : Exempt, Full-Time Schedule: M-F, 9am-5pm Salary Range: Commensurate with experience Mission : The Dallas Museum of Art is a space ...

Chief Development Officer Department : Development Classification : Exempt, Full-Time Schedule: M-F, 9am-5pm Salary Range: Commensurate with experience Mission : The Dallas Museum of Art is a space ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Museum Development Officer information

See salary details

$39K

$74.4K

$119K

How much do museum development officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum development officer in the United States is $74,448.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $84,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Museum Development Officer, you need a solid background in fundraising, donor relations, project management, and a relevant degree such as in museum studies or marketing. Familiarity with donor management software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) and certifications in fundraising or nonprofit management are highly beneficial. Strong interpersonal, written communication, and networking skills will help you build lasting partnerships and support for the museum. These competencies are crucial for securing funding, advancing the institution's mission, and building community engagement.

What are the main challenges a Museum Development Officer faces in this role?

One of the main challenges Museum Development Officers encounter is competing for limited funding in a landscape with many worthy causes. They must also continuously engage and steward existing donors while identifying new prospects to ensure the museum’s financial sustainability. The role often involves balancing multiple projects, organizing fundraising events, and collaborating with curators, marketing teams, and executives. Strong relationship-building and adaptability are key to overcoming these challenges and achieving fundraising goals.

What is a Museum Development Officer job?

A Museum Development Officer supports museums by providing advice, training, and funding guidance to help them grow and improve their services. They often work with museum staff and volunteers to develop strategies for sustainability, audience engagement, and collections management. Their role may also include advocacy, networking, and delivering grant programs to enhance museum operations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Museum Development Officer jobs? The most popular types of Museum Development Officer jobs are:
What states have the most Museum Development Officer jobs? States with the most job openings for Museum Development Officer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Museum Development Officer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,448 per year, or $35.8 per hour.
Major Gifts and Corporate Relations Officer

Major Gifts and Corporate Relations Officer

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Philadelphia, PA

$68K - $89K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

Drive transformational impact at the intersection of art and philanthropy as a Major Gifts and Corporate Relations Officer at America's first art school and museum, where you will lead strategies that secure $10,000+ investments from visionary donors and corporate partners. In this high-impact role, you'll build powerful partnerships and shape a dynamic fundraising pipeline that advances exhibitions, academic programs, and future-focused initiatives.

POSITION: Major Gifts and Corporate Relations Officer

The Major Gifts and Corporate Relations Officer (MGOCRO) is responsible for developing and executing strategies to secure philanthropic support from individual and corporate donors with the capacity to contribute $10,000 or more.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this role is central to advancing PAFA's contributed revenue strategy by building, managing, and stewarding a robust portfolio of major gift prospects and corporate partners. The MGOCRO works closely with senior leadership, trustees, and colleagues across the institution to align fundraising efforts with institutional priorities, including exhibitions, academic programs, endowment growth, and capital initiatives.

This position plays a critical role in strengthening the major gifts pipeline, expanding corporate engagement, and ensuring a coordinated, data-informed approach to donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gifts Strategy & Portfolio Management

  • Manage and grow a portfolio of individual and corporate donors and prospects with capacity to give $10,000+.
  • Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies using a moves management framework.
  • Achieve monthly performance metrics for donor engagement, including meetings, solicitations, and meaningful contacts.
  • Identify, qualify, and advance new prospects through the donor lifecycle in collaboration with Development leadership.

Corporate Relations & Partnerships

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive corporate engagement strategy aligned with PAFA's programmatic and funding priorities.
  • Partner with the Chief Development Officer and Director of Institutional Giving to create an annual corporate funding menu.
  • Cultivate corporate sponsorships, programmatic partnerships, and employee engagement opportunities.
  • Collaborate with the Special Events Manager to sustain and expand corporate sponsorship of events and related initiatives.

Strategic Collaboration & Institutional Alignment

  • Partner with the Director of Individual Giving to strengthen leadership giving pathways and affinity group engagement.
  • Collaborate across Development and Marketing to design tailored proposals, cases for support, and donor communications.
  • Support the President & CEO, Board of Trustees, and key stakeholders in major gift cultivation and solicitation activities.
  • Contribute to integrated fundraising strategies that align annual, major, and institutional giving efforts.

Stewardship & Donor Experience

  • Ensure high-quality stewardship, recognition, and reporting for major and corporate donors.
  • Collaborate with Development colleagues to design meaningful donor engagement opportunities, including events and programmatic access.
  • Strengthen pathways for converting event attendees and members into major and leadership-level donors.

Data, Reporting & Operations

  • Utilize Raiser's Edge NXT (or similar CRM) to manage donor relationships, track moves management activity, and generate reports.
  • Leverage research, analytics, and wealth screening tools to inform strategy and outreach.
  • Monitor progress against goals and contribute to data-informed decision-making within the Development team.

Professional Practice & Representation

  • Stay informed on industry trends, best practices, and ethical standards in fundraising.
  • Serve as a credible and effective ambassador for PAFA in external settings.
  • Perform other duties as assigned in support of Development and institutional priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in major gifts and/or corporate relations.

Knowledge & Skills

  • Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at the $10,000+ level.
  • Experience developing corporate partnerships and sponsorship strategies.
  • Familiarity with planned giving concepts and individual giving vehicles.
  • Knowledge of the Greater Philadelphia philanthropic landscape preferred.
  • Proficiency with CRM systems such as Raiser's Edge NXT and standard office software.

Leadership & Competencies

  • Strategic thinker with strong execution and follow-through.
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
  • High degree of professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
  • Collaborative team player with the ability to work across functions and constituencies.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Additional Requirements

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events.