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Museum Development Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Tacoma Art Museum

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 ...

Tacoma Art Museum

Major Gifts Officer

Tacoma, WA

$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 ...

The Museum of Flight

Exhibit Developer

Seattle, WA · On-site

Summary The Exhibit Developer supports the mission of The Museum of Flight by designing, developing ... Skilled in research, writing, and content/story development * Strong organizational skills.

The Museum of Flight

Exhibit Developer

Seattle, WA · On-site

Summary The Exhibit Developer supports the mission of The Museum of Flight by designing, developing ... Skilled in research, writing, and content/story development * Strong organizational skills.

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All JobsMuseum Development JobsMuseum Development Jobs in Seattle, WA

Museum Development information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$19.9K

$121.4K

$190.1K

How much do museum development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum development in Seattle, WA is $121,399.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,100.00 and $132,600.00 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.
What are popular job titles related to Museum Development jobs in Seattle, WA? For Museum Development jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Museum Development jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Museum Development jobs in Seattle, WA are:
Museum Development jobs near you
Development & Marketing Associate

Development & Marketing Associate

Tacoma Art Museum

Tacoma, WA • On-site

$24 - $26/hr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Summary
Tacoma Art Museum's (TAM) Development & Marketing Associate plays a key role in advancing the museum's fundraising and engagement efforts. This position supports the Development and Communications Department in a variety of areas, including donor relations, data management, social media, website maintenance, gift processing, reporting, and event coordination.
Essential Functions: Below are the essential functions of this role. Additional duties may be assigned.
Fundraising and Development
  • Works closely with team members to ensure the success of annual giving campaigns, membership programs, and special events
  • Foster relationships and build rapport with TAM members, and prospects of approx. 1300 people through regular and consistent communications, answering questions, and attending member events.
  • Provide exceptional service to donors, members, and the community.
  • Create experiences designed to grow TAM's membership
  • Organize Annual Meeting of the Membership and participate in other events
  • Execute annual appeals, renewals and promotions, including direct mail, email, and digital campaigns.
  • Provide logistical support for fundraising events in collaboration with other department members.
  • Coordinates across departments and within the development team to ensure museum is complying with benefits offered to donors/members
  • Maintains accurate records
  • Work collaboratively across all Museum departments as necessary

Marketing + Communications
  • Maintain a digital + physical archive of printed marketing materials and press mentions
  • Manage TAM's newsletter and e-newsletter
  • Collect stories, videos, and more across museum programs, events, and exhibitions for social media, campaigns, newsletters and more
  • Update website and event calendars
  • Manages organizations social media in collaboration with other departments to showcase collected stories, impact, and events.

Administrative & Cross-Departmental Support
  • Schedule meetings, manage supply orders, and create invoices.
  • Perform other duties as assigned to advance the museum's mission and fundraising goals.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills.
  • Flexible and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to balance working in a team environment along with self-directed projects.

Education and Experience
  • No education required. (Note: See below regarding CRM experience)

Certifications
  • Not required.

Computer Skills
  • Basic competency with Office Suite. High level of proficiency in analysis with emphasis in Excel and spreadsheet design required.
  • High level of proficiency in analysis with emphasis in Excel and spreadsheet design.
  • 1+ years of professional experience with a CRM (Salesforce and Greater Giving preferred)

Language Ability
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write or produce reports, business correspondence, and marketing materials. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions one on one or from groups of managers, staff, visitors, donors, members and the general public.

Mathematical Skills
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Work Environment, Physical Demands & Travel Requirements
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work environment for this position is in a museum and typical office environment. There may be frequent interruptions. The noise level is moderate. This position may perform work in climate-controlled exhibition spaces and storage rooms. Some tasks may require working in areas with varying temperature and humidity levels. This position may occasionally perform work outside where the employee is subject to weather conditions.
The physical demands for this position requires the ability to sit at a workstation and/or computer screen for long periods of time. Frequently reaches with hands and arms and uses hands and fingers to handle objects and operate computers and controls. The employee will need to see to produce work such as reports, marketing materials and organization of events. The employee will need to move about easily and frequently, and stand for long periods of time (especially during fundraising events). The employee regularly exchanges information through listening and talking with members, donors, staff, etc.
Travel
This position typically does not require travel for work on a regular basis.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work expected of the typical person assigned this job. However, it is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Job duties may be subject to change if this role evolves. Employees may be asked to perform other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor to fulfill business needs.

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