Senior Vice President of Development and Strategic Relationships

Hutchinson, KS

Full Time

Cosmosphere

Senior Executive

Senior Vice President of Development & Strategic Relationships

Cosmosphere

Hutchinson, Kansas

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with the Cosmosphere to recruit the organization’s new Senior Vice President of Development and Strategic Relationships.

Background

Founded in 1962, the Cosmosphere International SciEd Center & Space Museum’s mission is to “Inspire the future through space exploration.”

The Cosmosphere is home to the largest collection of U.S. space artifacts, second only to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, and the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow. One of the first affiliates of the Smithsonian Institution, the Cosmosphere hosts over 100,000 visitors per year, including over 30,000 students through in-person and online resources. Entertainment venues at the Cosmosphere include the Hall of Space Museum, Carey Digital Dome Theater, Justice Planetarium, Dr. Goddard’s Lab, and CosmoKids, an interactive STEAM area. Recently, the organization completed the “Revitalization Campaign” for facility improvements, which has raised over $11 million since 2014, and renovations are in progress.

The Cosmosphere provides leading-edge STEAM educational programming, from field trips to summer camps. It seeks to enhance and expand this programming in the coming years. To maximize potential, additional space is being considered.

SpaceWorks, a division of the Cosmosphere, is the most highly regarded space artifact restoration, replication, and design organization in the world. Its work has been utilized by museums, private collectors, and numerous film and TV productions, such as the movie Apollo 13.

For more information, please visit www.cosmo.org.

Position Summary

The Cosmosphere is seeking a seasoned executive level development professional to assume a new position, Senior Vice President of Development and Strategic Relationships. Collaborating closely with the President and CEO and the executive team, the new Senior Vice President will play a key role in advancing the Cosmosphere with current and new audiences. The Senior Vice President will be responsible for growing the development program, increasing strategic relationships, and strengthening recognition of the Cosmosphere nationally and internationally. This professional will plan, direct, and coordinate all development activities, including major gift fundraising, annual giving, planned giving, campaign management, and special activities. In addition, the Senior Vice President is expected to build new relationships and strengthen current connections with supporters across the nation, especially those in the air and space industry such as NASA, the Smithsonian, Space X, and others.

The Cosmosphere is located in Hutchinson, Kansas. While there is the opportunity to work remotely, the Senior Vice President of Development and Strategic Relationships will be expected to have regularly scheduled time at the Cosmosphere in order to interact with team members, meet and have relationships with members of the Hutchinson community, and fully know and embrace the culture of the Cosmosphere. A hybrid work schedule to accommodate essential travel is expected.

Responsibilities

Strategic and Management Responsibilities

Interpret the vision and goals of the Cosmosphere to strengthen awareness of the museum and education center and elevate its presence nationally and internationally.
Develop and execute the Cosmosphere’s overall fundraising strategy and annual fundraising plans in support of Cosmosphere’s services, programming, and endowment, as well as support for strategic priorities for growth and sustainability.
Develop, increase, and manage the fundraising capacity of the Cosmosphere, including planned giving and future campaign opportunities.
Maintain and build strategic relationships with current and potential individual, corporate and organizational donors across the country to identify possible funding opportunities and new revenue growth.
Supervise and direct the work of the Development Coordinator.
Work in close partnership with the President and CEO and assist with administrative duties as assigned.

Development Responsibilities

Create and implement the annual development plan and strategy.
Identify and cultivate prospective major gift, corporate and planned giving donors.
Initiate, plan, support and participate in fundraising solicitations.
Travel as necessary to be successful in cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors.
Identify grant opportunities to support the Cosmosphere’s mission, including federal, state, and local grant opportunities. Coordinate proposal writing and management of successful grants.
Coordinate activities and goals with the fundraising committee and board members on annual and targeted campaigns.
Coordinate development of publications to solicit donations and raise awareness of needs that require funding.
Serve as public spokesperson on museum needs and fundraising activities.
Maintain high ethical standards for fundraising activities and train new board members and committee members on those standards.
Train and lead other staff to support fundraising and marketing efforts.

Qualifications

Education: BA is required, MA is a plus.
5+ years of demonstrated leadership success in non-profit fundraising and development, including cultivation and solicitation of individual donors, foundations, and corporations, as well as grant writing and grant management.
Knowledge of museum development and experience with science and space programs is a plus.
Proven leadership and management capabilities and experience.
Experience working with senior level executives in a corporate environment.
High energy, positive, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail; high degree of initiative.
Strong verbal and written communications skills.
Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate, and manage new donors.
Strong relationship-building skills.
Willingness to engage in significant travel regionally and nationally.
Good computer skills and knowledge of database programs (the Cosmosphere currently uses Versai Museum Management Software.)

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $130,000. The Cosmosphere offers a generous benefits package, including PTO, health insurance, retirement plan, and social membership in Prairie Dunes Country Club.

The compensation range for the individual hired as the Senior Vice President of Development and Strategic Relationships will be competitive and in accordance with the background and experience of the selected candidate.

Non-Discrimination

The Cosmosphere is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Cosmosphere to provide fair and equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees, and to not discriminate based on any class protected by applicable laws.

Application Process

The search for the Cosmosphere’s Senior Vice President of Development and Strategic Relationships is being conducted by The Moran Company.

To apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume to Jane Lampo, The Moran Company. Resume should include all relevant professional education and experience, dates of employment (month and year) and position/title and organization names. The cover letter should articulate relevant experiences and fit with the stated preferences of the position.

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