Director, Principal Gifts Program
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Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Applications and nominations are being received by the Orr Group:
https://grnh.se/soeb6esj3us
. The hiring team will begin reviewing applications immediately. For inquiries, please contact Jesse Bryan ay jbryan@orrgroup.com.
Posting Details
Position Information
| Position Title |
Director, Principal Gifts Program |
| Department |
Advancement - 130 |
| Position Summary |
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, and has as its mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition.
AMNH is seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial Director of Principal Gifts Program to join its high-performing Advancement team.
The Director will play a pivotal role in designing and executing a creative, high-touch, and customized program of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for current and future Board members, as well as principal gift donors at the seven-figure level and above. This program will strengthen principal gift donor engagement, foster community among its growing Board, and drive new and increased commitments.
Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the Director will serve as a senior member of the Advancement team and a key partner to colleagues across the Museum, including senior leadership. The Director will provide strategic leadership to guide the Principal Gifts team's revenue expansion and maximize mission impact.
The Director will also manage and support the strategic growth of the Museum's annual appeal to its Board of Trustees, ensuring financial goals are met. They will be responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding their own portfolio of Honorary Trustees as well as supervising the Manager of Principal Gifts.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Principal Gifts Strategy
- Shape and execute the Museum's Principal Gifts goals and strategies to retain, grow, and deepen engagement with current donors, including Board members, and expand the base of donor support.
- Work as an effective partner with the President, Board of Directors, and other Museum leaders on their fundraising and prospect outreach efforts.
- Devise strategies, draft briefings, and create pitch decks to support Museum leadership on principal gift solicitations.
- Develop a strong working knowledge of Museum programs and funding priorities in order to articulate a compelling case for support to all constituents.
Donor Engagement
- Manage a personal portfolio of Honorary Trustees to strengthen their relationships with the Museum.
- In alignment with the Museum's fundraising priorities, create customized short-, intermediate-, and long-term cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for the Honorary Trustees portfolio.
- Partner with the Manager of Principal Gifts to create and execute a new Honorary Trustee engagement program, which will meaningfully support the Director's portfolio management efforts.
Cross-functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with colleagues in Institutional Advancement and across the Museum on the creation and implementation of creative and impactful fundraising strategies and resources, including but not limited to events, programs, giving and recognition opportunities, proposals, reports, and other printed and digital materials.
- Champion a culture of philanthropy across the organization, promoting fundraising as a shared responsibility and energizing colleagues and volunteers to advance the Museum's mission.
Team Leadership & Management
- Supervise, mentor, and coach the Manager of Principal Gifts, ensuring professional development and career enhancement.
- Meaningfully collaborate with the Advancement team.
The expected salary range for the Director, Principal Gifts Program is $150,000/annual - $165,000/annual. The
AMNH offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community.
Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization and depth and scope of experience. |
| Minimum Qualifications |
- Bachelor's degree in relevant field required.
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive professional experience at a complex institution, including at least four (4) years of frontline fundraising experience.
- Minimum of two (2) years of management experience managing fundraising professionals, creating a positive and productive work environment through collaboration, trust, and transparency.
- Experience working closely with high-net-worth individuals, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and principal gifts with diplomacy and maturity.
- A proven track record of meeting or exceeding ambitious fundraising goals individually and as a team.
- Demonstrated experience and ability to work effectively with key institutional leaders, high-level volunteers, Board members, and colleagues.
- Expert written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate AMNH's mission to a broad audience.
- Adept at crafting compelling proposals, donor correspondence, and other materials.
- Proficient use of Microsoft Office programs, internet applications, and fundraising databases (knowledge of and experience with Raiser's Edge, a plus).
- Ability to travel locally and work the occasional evening and weekend.
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| Preferred Qualifications |
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| Physical Demands |
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for prolonged periods.
- Must be able to move about the Museum campus.
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| Category |
Full-Time |
| Total Number of Scheduled Hours Per Pay Period |
70 |
| Union Status |
Non-Union |
| FLSA |
Exempt |
| Expected Salary Minimum |
$150,000/annual |
| Expected Salary Maximum |
$165,000/annual |
| EEO Statement |
The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The Museum does not discriminate with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, gender (including sexual harassment), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy and lactation accommodations, alienage or citizenship status, current or former participation in the uniformed services, status as a veteran, caregiver, pre-employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, salary history, national or ethnic origin, height, weight, or on account of any other basis prohibited by applicable City, State, or Federal law. Additional protections are afforded in employment based on arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, unemployment status, and credit history, in each case to the extent provided by law. |
| Quick Link |
https://careers.amnh.org/postings/4667 |
Posting Detail Information
| Posting Number |
GS957P |
| Open Date |
12/07/2025 |
| Close Date |
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| Open Until Filled |
Yes |
| Special Instructions to Applicants |
Applications and nominations are being received by the Orr Group:
https://grnh.se/soeb6esj3us
. The hiring team will begin reviewing applications immediately. For inquiries, please contact Jesse Bryan ay jbryan@orrgroup.com. |
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Optional Documents
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American Museum of Natural History
Dec 08, 2025