Director of Institutional Advancement

As the Art Academy’s principal fundraising professional, the Director of Institutional Advancement (DIA) will spearhead development strategy and plans to drive dynamic financial growth and stability for the school.  The DIA will work closely with President to achieve the fundraising goals for the institution. The position will provide strategic leadership, responsible for major gifts, corporate sponsorship and contributions, grants, alumni relations, annual campaigns and events, and a 2025 Capital campaign.  

REPORTS TO: President/CEO

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 4, 2024

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT  

HOURS: Full-time  

EEO CATEGORY: FIRST/MID OFFICERS  

LOCATION: 1212 JACKSON ST

Art is not Optional!

The landscape of art, art making, design, and creative writing is ever changing. Technology, current events, and cultural shifts continually shape the evolution of the practice of creativity and its place in our society. However, one truth remains constant: art is not optional. 

The Art Academy of Cincinnati champions this belief, and for more than 150 years it has faithfully served its mission to elevate art education and empower creatives to become successful and fulfilled professionals. 

We may be small, but our commitment is big. It’s the same commitment our students make to themselves: to make the best art they can. The Art Academy of Cincinnati has kept that commitment since 1869, building a rich tradition of innovation and excellence in the visual arts. The Art Academy is one of the smallest four-year art colleges in the country, and that’s one of our greatest strengths: It means our students really get to be themselves. They receive individualized attention from faculty, the freedom to develop their personal vision, and a unique opportunity to carve out their identity.   

MISSION STATEMENT To create and sustain radical, forward-thinking, contemporary visual artists and designers whose creative contributions make a substantial difference in all the lives they touch.

VISION STATEMENT To be the most celebrated, relentless, rebellious, cutting-edge and radiant community of artists and designers anywhere, at any time-the seers, the radicals, the innovators, and the creative professional who establish the rules that the future will follow. 

POSITION SUMMARY  

As the Art Academy’s principal fundraising professional, the Director of Institutional Advancement (DIA) will spearhead development strategy and plans to drive dynamic financial growth and stability for the school.  The DIA will work closely with President to achieve the fundraising goals for the institution. The position will provide strategic leadership, responsible for major gifts, corporate sponsorship and contributions, grants, alumni relations, annual campaigns and events, and a 2025 Capital campaign.  

The DIA is a member of the senior management team and works in tandem with faculty, staff, the Chair of the Board, and Board of Trustees to meet the school’s short and long-term fundraising objectives. The DIA is also charged with leadership and day-to-day management of the department and team. The DIA is responsible for data-informed strategy development, database management, advancement reporting, gift recording. 

This position works closely with the Finance Office to ensure accurate and timely fund management as well as recording and reporting consistencies. 

The DIA is responsible for face-to-face donor cultivation and stewardship, prospect research and relationship-building, as well as the creation of proposals, reports, campaigns, solicitation letters, and development brochures.  The DIA also lends oversight and expertise to a comprehensive stewardship program focused on nurturing and retaining donors who have the capacity and affinity to transform student lives.

This position leverages the AAC’s rich history to continue to build a compelling case for annual and endowment gifts based on stewardship, strategy, and advance planning.   

Essential Traits for the Ideal Candidate  

We are looking for a dynamic candidate who can join the ranks of radical innovators, who is passionate about creating the next generation of artists, and who wants to make a meaningful impact on the future of the Art Academy. This person will see potential in our students and the institution and will bring new and innovative ways for the AAC to achieve outcomes. A seasoned fundraiser who is willing to invest time to build short and long-term approaches to support objectives that are transformative for the school. A leader and a connector who is optimistic with a “can do” attitude, and who understands and values teamwork and cooperation to ensure that all job duties are achieved.  

DIA RESPONSIBILITIES:  This role provides strategic development and implementation for all major gifts from corporate, foundation, and government entities as well as all individual gifts and memberships; spearheads the 2025 Capital campaign and manages ongoing endowment campaigns for sustainability and programs.

• Creates and implements a comprehensive result-oriented annual fundraising plan to achieve the department’s annual goals.
• Develops and executes goals and objectives that increase Alumni involvement, engagement and giving.
• Develops short- and long-term fundraising goals detailing objectives, schedules, and budgets.
• Supports strategic and fundraising initiatives of the Art Academy; design, produce, analyze, and communicate reports that facilitate the achievement of all fundraising and constituent relations goals.
• Manages CRM software.
• Creates and oversees donor cultivation programs and stewardship processes.
• Research and identifies potential sources of funding.
• Develops major gift strategies.
• Plans and oversees grant proposals to individuals, private foundations, corporations, and

  government agencies, locally and nationally. 

• Develop appropriate donor recognition programs. Oversee all donor records for all fundraising campaigns.
• Work closely with the President of the College, Board Chair, and Board of Trustees to advance and meet AAC’s short and long-term fundraising objectives.
• Support the work of relevant committees and staff to plan, promote and execute the AAC fundraising events including the annual campaign, the Gala and other appropriate special events.
• Work with staff to evaluate, improve, and create fundraising materials.
• Develop strong working relationships with the staff, faculty, and the marketing department.
• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluations of the Development and Alumni relations departments
• Supervises Committee of Alumni Relations, Development support staff 
• Provide appropriate analytics reports for fundraising development and alumni activities.
• Hire and supervise development department staff, including managing and coaching staff, establishing performance goals.
• Participate and successfully complete AAC required training, including but not limited to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Harassment, Discrimination and/or ethics.

Non-Essential Duties

• Staffs College events as needed as part of the Advancement team.
• Other duties and special projects may be assigned to meet department and School needs.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: To be successful in this position, 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. 

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience working in a complex environment managing numerous and competing priorities.
• Software savvy(primarily Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel, experience using CRM technology (including query, form, and report design) strongly preferred. Familiarity with Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge a plus
• Self-motivated leader who can select, develop, and lead a high-performing team that produces accurate and timely work.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience of fund-raising staff highly desirable.
• Three to five years of experience in fund-raising for non-profit organizations.
• Experience in a university or major college setting strongly preferred.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) certification preferred, or eligibility for certification.
• Successful track record in annual gifts, major gifts, planned gifts, comprehensive campaigns preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and presentation skills required.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Capable of travel, as needed. 
• Current and permanent legal rights to work in the U.S.
• Must accept, embrace, and value diversity in people, places, and ideas.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  

• Primarily sedentary work that involves sitting for long periods of time. There are no known adverse environmental conditions expected. Must have the ability to move from one site to another, adjusting or moving objects up to 20 lbs. in all directions. Must be able to communicate with others to exchange information, type, see a computer screen and speak and hear on the telephone.
• 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 noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Salary commensurate with experience

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please upload a cover letter and resume by October 15^th to this link https://workforcenow.cloud.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=150d0044-7af0-4927-8f81-f24fc4a68331&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US&selectedMenuKey=CareerCenter   No phone calls please.  

The Art Academy of Cincinnati is an Equal Opportunity Employer where all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, Veteran, or disability status.