Company Description

Serving more than 8 million visitors since opening in 1996, Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) is a community-focused, forward-thinking regional asset. The Science Center asks itself t does the community need from us? the 1990Clevelandeaders founded the Science Center as part of a vision to improve our communitymage and resiliency. Funding nearly half of the initial $55M investment, city leaders demanded a destination museum dedicated to meeting the educational needs of the 21st century and we have not rested since.

Today, our newly updated mission makes science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) come alive with hundreds of hands-on exhibits, engaging educational programming and unique opportunities. The 170,000 annual participants in our education programs experience real scientific challenges while engaging their curiosity. One in three visitors engages with a scientist-educator for a deeper experience such as a demonstration of Newtonaws of Motion, a circuitry workshop, or a chat with a former NASA employee about GLSCamous Apollo capsule.

At the Science Center, community is front and center. Home of the 9th grade of Cleveland Metropolitan School Districtward-winning MC2 STEM High School, the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, and the historic William G. Mather Steamship we are committed to keeping pace with community needs through collaborations and partnerships that improve STEM education, and cultivate creative, critical thinkers that will shape our future.

As Cleveland continues with plans to increase business, housing, education, and tourism on the lakefront, the Science Center will continue to be a central voice in the shaping of the region. The Science Centernnual operating budget averages more than $7 million, including more than 70% earned revenue. There is a café, store, and parking garage as well.

Job Description

The Vice President of Development leads the museumontributed revenue efforts, including annual, capital, and endowment fund development efforts to secure financial and in-kind support from key donors and prospects at the local, regional, national, and international levels. He or she will have oversight responsibility of fund development functions and provide leadership in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major individual, corporate, and foundation gifts, as well as public and government funding sources. The Vice President of Development works closely with the President & CEO on fundraising and to support the Board of Trustees. He or she is an experienced advancement leader, positive collaborator with creative approaches, and strong manager and team-builder. This is an opportunity to join a mission-oriented, experienced, and passionate leadership team that has recently launched a new strategic plan that sets a course for a dynamic new phase of the organization. The Vice President of Development is a high-visibility, high-impact position that will directly contribute to the strength of the organization. This is an opportunity to work and to lead in an environment that fosters a sense of fun, community service, and data-driven decision making. Application details available at www.greatscience.com.

Reporting Relationships

The Vice President of Development will report to and work closely with the President & CEO, Dr. Kirsten Ellenbogen.

Dr. Kirsten Ellenbogen has been in the business of researching and developing learning experiences in science centers and other informal learning environments for thirty years. In her work as the third President & CEO of the Science Center, she has launched Cleveland Creates, a strategic initiative developed in collaboration with education and corporate leaders to change the communityarrative around advanced manufacturing and technology through STEM education for diverse middle-school youth and families. She began her work in museums at the Detroit Science Center and has worked at five museums and consulted for more than thirty. She works extensively with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation. And she has been appointed to the Cleveland Mayorakefront Advisory Committee, the Planning and Urban Design Committee of the Group Plan Commission, and the Downtown Cleveland Alliance Visioning Committee, where she serves as chair.

The Vice Presidenteers include the Vice Presidents of STEM Learning, Exhibitions, Marketing, the Chief Financial Officer, the Managers of Facilities & Security, Director of Operations, and the Human Resources Manager. The Development team includes positions in corporate and individual giving, grants, annual fund, and database administration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Vice President of Development is responsible for the planning, strategic oversight and direction of the annual and long-range institutional advancement activities of Great Lakes Science Center. The Vice President acts as the lead strategist for all leadership and principle gifts and is responsible for leading the Development team in the establishment and execution of operational plans and the tracking of goals for: Major and Planned Gifts, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Government Relations, and Individual Giving. The Vice President additionally manages the departmentctivities in the areas of grant writing, prospect and donor research, and fundraising events. The Vice President supports the Board of Trustees in overall governance strategy, Board giving, all formal and informal campaign efforts, as well as committee leadership.

• Cultivates individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects; manages the portfolio of prospects and donors, with primary responsibility for cultivating, soliciting and stewarding these relationships.
• Effectively support the President & CEO in her role as chief fundraiser for the museum, matching the CEO with the museumop donors and prospects in an appropriate strategy for engaging these donors and prospects in the museumission and vision.
• Creates, implements and refines a museum-wide action plan for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major donors and prospects that allows the Development team to actively achieve the strategic initiatives set forth in formal or informal campaign plans.
• Creates, implements and refines audience development plans for acquiring, renewing, and upgrading donors and prospects.
• Personally engages in stewardship and cultivation and maintains a high level of visibility with external donor constituencies. Attends donor and member cultivation and stewardship events as needed.
• Works collaboratively with other members of the museum Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to accomplish division goals and to support the achievement of the museumtrategic plan.
• In collaboration with the President & CEO, works closely with the Board of Trustees and any campaign teams to identify funding priorities in order to plan and implement all formal or informal comprehensive campaign(s) strategies.
• Oversees major development strategies and activities for annual, capital, and endowment campaigns. Leads annual preparation of the contributed revenue projection, with regular monitoring and quarterly updates.
• In collaboration with the Vice President of Marketing, Communication & Sales oversees development of a comprehensive portfolio of communication materials for donor identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship support.
• Provides strong leadership to Development Division staff, ensuring that individual responsibilities are well defined and communicated while also encouraging a positive team environment.
• Works with other Senior Leadership Team members to identify and mentor key museum staff across the organization as development resources in presenting their areas of expertise to donors.
• Establishes a communications plan to keep the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees current on fund-raising strategies, activity and results.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Qualifications

• A bacheloregree in fund development, business, education or related field, advanced degree preferred.
• Eight years of leadership experience in development, non-profit management or related field with a broad knowledge of institutional advancement, campaign leadership, major gift identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. At least five years of people management experience, with a proven track record of developing staff.
• A passion, understanding and strong commitment to the mission and vision of Great Lakes Science Center.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing high-level gifts.
• Superior strategic skills and a holistic understanding of the aspects and nuances of fund development and how best to engage stakeholders. Ability to design, implement, and assess the success of a multi-year fund development strategy for building an effective program.
• Demonstrated success in setting and achieving annual, multi-year strategic goals.
• A personal style that is positive, polished, and supportive. Strong personal integrity and work ethic, as well as a sense of humor and perspective.
• Proven success in building relationships with diverse individuals, colleagues, Trustees, and other donors and stakeholders.
• Proven success in managing and motivating a high functioning diverse staff and Trustee team.
• Superior communication skills to express the mission and fund-raising goals with clarity, passion, and persuasion.

Additional Information

Great Lakes Science Center offers a competitive salary with attractive benefits.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.