Assistant Director of Individual Giving

Founded in 1791, the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) is an invaluable resource for American history, life, and culture. Its extraordinary collections tell the story of America through millions of rare and unique documents, artifacts, and irreplaceable national treasures. Their mission is to promote understanding of the history of Massachusetts and the nation by collecting and communicating materials and resources that foster historical knowledge. The MHS envisions a world where historical understanding is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy.

The MHS has a commitment to a full presentation of the historical record and aims to be inclusive, open, and fair in all that they do. Toward these ends, they practice and encourage transparent communication in all interactions. They continue to seek, engage, and employ people of all backgrounds as they foster a culture of respect, openness, learning, integrity, and honesty—especially in the face of the sometimes difficult historical truths the organization must preserve and present.

The Opportunity

Reporting to and collaborating with the Associate Director of Development, the Assistant Director of Individual Giving (ADIG) is an integral member of a Development Department consisting of five full time staff. As ADIG you will be responsible for the logistical, strategic, and tactical operations needed to implement a successful annual fund, donor stewardship events, and related projects. You will be successful in this role if you’re a hands-on development professional with annual fund experience looking to join a nimble and motivated team at an established and growing cultural institution. The work of the ADIG will be focused in two arenas: 

• Overseeing the design and production of the annual fund and coordinating appeals via direct mail, email, proposals, and personal solicitations.
• Crafting compelling communications, pitches, and messaging to inspire giving.

This is an exciting opportunity to join The Massachusetts Historical Society Development Department as they embark on several initiatives to expand the scope and impact of the Society’s work. You'll have opportunities to contribute to overall strategy, in addition to significant responsibilities related to implementation of the annual fund. The MHS Development Department is committed to mentorship and professional development for team members including access to skill development courses and opportunities to attend local conferences. The ADIG will assist with supervising volunteers and interns on related activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Help develop and implement annual fund appeals from concept to delivery.
• Collaborate with Development Department leadership by contributing ideas for appeal segmentation.
• Create related e-communications for annual fund appeals and donor events.
• Ensure that annual fund donors are appropriately stewarded with timely communications about their philanthropy and associated benefits.
• Manage the accuracy and consistency of annual fund in the database and track annual fund-related moves management, constituent coding, and other relevant activities.
• Spearhead logistics for donor cultivation and stewardship events.
• Assist with the creation of event calendar listings through the Altru platform, and oversees the event registration process.
• Provide support for Development events, including on occasional evenings or weekends.
• Provide logistical support for the implementation of the overall development strategy.

Qualifications

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant Development experience with demonstrated success in annual funds and events
• Technical competency with Blackbaud Altru or comparable fundraising software, specifically with maintaining donor records, creating queries, and compiling reports and mailing lists
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel), Google Suite, and Zoom
• Experience organizing events, working with vendors, and managing expenses
• Driven and motivated with a high level of autonomy and accountability
• Strong organization and project management skills with an ability to prioritize competing tasks
• Accurate and detail-oriented with an eye for editing content
• Collaborative work-style both within the organization and with external constituencies
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Shows good judgement and discretion when working with confidential information
• Genuine interest in the Society’s mission

Of Added Value:

• Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat, DonorSearch, Constant Contact, Survey Monkey, Issuu
• A good sense of humor and collegial attitude
• Innovative and open to change, with creative instinct

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this role is competitive with consideration given to candidates with strong annual fund experience. Specific salary information is available by request. The Massachusetts Historical Society offers a generous benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• Medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Vacation starting at three weeks plus 12-14 holidays per year.
• Retirement benefits with an employer match of up to 4%
• Pre-tax commuter benefits and a monthly public transportation incentive
• Reciprocal entrance to several local education and cultural institutions
• Remote work flexibility

Making the Decision to Apply

To apply to this position, please submit a resume and a thoughtfully written cover letter through the online application portal. We will review and respond to all applications received. For confidential inquiries, assistance in completing the application, or specific salary range information please reach out by email to rcostello@positivelypartners.org. 

The ADIG position is full-time and requires availability for occasional evening work. The position is located at the Massachusetts Historical Society which is in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston. Currently all Development Department employees are working in a hybrid remote and in-office environment. Remote work is possible for candidates in New England. The position may require minimal travel within Boston when necessary. The MHS requires proof of vaccination for COVID-19 for all employees. 

Timeline and Hiring Process

We will review and respond to all applications received. While subject to change, candidates elected to advance through the process can first expect a phone interview with Positively Partners, followed by a video interview with Victoria McKay, the Associate Director of Development. Finalists will go on to an interview day with staff and key stakeholders followed by a robust and holistic reference check process. The expected start date is early 2022.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Massachusetts Historical Society aims to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. Candidates of all backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to apply. We are committed to creating a work place free from harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class").