JOB SUMMARY

The Glass House is seeking a Director of Development to lead and grow the fundraising and philanthropy efforts necessary to financially support the Historic Site’s operations, exhibitions and programs, and staffing as a self-sufficient part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. To achieve this vision requires establishing a comprehensive development strategy for the Glass House. This position, reporting to the Executive Director of the site, will be responsible for strengthening the financial health and capability of the organization through an active, comprehensive, integrated and successful fundraising program. The Director will plan, implement, direct, and carry out fundraising activities related to the operation of The Glass House as a financially stable, uniquely hybrid institution (i.e., a house museum/gallery/salon/ event /educational space). The Director is responsible for developing and executing a strategy that maximizes individual, corporate, foundation and government fundraising, with specific focus on creation and successful completion of a $1 million capital fund for the restoration of the Pavilion, in addition to annual and planned giving programs. The Director of Development supervises a Manager of Development with extensive experience in event planning. This position will require work within New Canaan, CT and New York City.

About The Glass House

The Glass House property, built between 1949 and 1995 by architect Philip Johnson, is a National Trust Historic Site located in New Canaan, Connecticut. For more than half a century, the Glass House was home to Philip Johnson and his partner, influential curator David Whitney, a place where they hosted many of the most notable architects, artists and designers of their time.

Today, the pastoral 49-acre landscape comprises fourteen structures, centered around the iconic Glass House, and features a renowned permanent collection of 20th century art. The entire campus serves as a catalyst for the preservation and interpretation of Modern art and design, and a canvas for inspiration and experimentation through leading-edge exhibitions and installations of the highest quality. The site’s tour program, acclaimed Design Store, and on-site and online events provide a variety of opportunities for dynamic engagement. The Glass House also continues to honestly examine the negative aspects of Philip Johnson’s personal history and their legacies through new research and programming.

Over the last 10 years, the Glass House has conducted a strategic campaign to restore and re-activate the buildings and landscape at the site. The restoration of the Brick House, the companion to the Glass House that was also built in 1949, is currently in the final stages of construction with a reopening in Spring 2024. This re-opening of the Brick House offers a tremendous opportunity to define and implement a vibrant new vision for the property that continues to build its relevance in the international art and design community as the property celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024.

The site is owned and operated by the National Trust Historic Site and is a part of its portfolio of 28 National Trust Historic Sites that are central to the organization’s mission and operations. The Glass House has a full-time staff of ten with approximately 25 seasonal staff. The executive leadership is supported by a dedicated Advisory Council of professionals in the business, architecture, art, design, and marketing world.

DUTIES

Fundraising Leadership

• Provide innovative, visionary, and strategic operational planning and leadership for all development activities.
• Be a passionate and informed advocate for The Glass House and serve as one of its key spokespersons, actively seeking opportunities to engage with the broader community and to participate in events that position The Glass House for improved fundraising or visibility.
• Work closely with the Executive Director to develop a plan and strategy for a $1 million campaign for priority preservation projects, and for annual giving of at least $1.5 million.
• Provide leadership in all fundraising events, including oversight of staff, planning, financial goal tracking and communication/follow-up.
• Direct all fundraising activities, including: cultivation and tracking of all donor levels for GH; fulfillment and communication with corporate sponsors and development of strategy to expand corporate support; coordination of foundation and government support strategy; and development of an effective planned giving strategy that includes timeframes, milestones and metrics.
• Ensure tracking of and appropriate ongoing communication with key donors. Direct follow-up by support staff.
• Lead strategic planning for the cultivation of Glass House membership.
• Develop new donor groups, including those associated with new programs.
• Ensure coordination of all development related writing and other collateral materials.
• Direct organization and management of database.
• Communicate development strategies and develop clear talking points for Glass House staff and guides, ensure appropriate and effective communication of key messages to intended audiences.
• Reach out to and work in concert with National Trust for Historic Preservation development staff in Washington, DC.
• Consult with other historic sites to optimize site-wide donations.
• Ensure donor recognition as appropriate.
• Production of month reports tracking progress in all fundraising activities.

Glass House Advisory Council

• Assist the Executive Director in identifying and cultivating potential members.
• Develop regular communications for advisors and identify ways to engage their interest.
• Solicit Advisory Council members for both annual dues and additional giving towards various campaigns.
• Keep Advisors informed with semi-annual reports on development progress, challenges in meeting goals, data analyses, and projections.

Communications & Engagement

• Supervise the Manager of Development.
• Collaborate closely with the Director Communications, Sr. Manager of Buildings & Grounds and curatorial personnel to achieve effective messaging and message delivery.
• Interface with website and social media platforms for clear messaging/branding.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function to a high professional standard. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. A successful candidate will meet many of these requirements and have the desire and capacity to learn the rest on the job.

• At least 8 years direct fundraising experience with most of these years in a leadership position working on significant multi-million-dollar development operations.
• Proven achievements in development areas including campaigns, donor cultivation, major gifts, foundation giving, planned giving, membership development and organizational coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage and sustain relationships with individuals with a high net worth.
• Experience raising funds throughout a large geographic region and/or nationwide. Specific knowledge of New York City and Connecticut region’s philanthropic landscape is a plus.
• Ability to engage diplomatically with and engender the trust of donors, colleagues, board members, and other stakeholders at all times.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of fundraising best practices.
• Energetic and skilled networker who enjoys community engagement, attending events, and participating in activities.
• Successful, collaborative supervisor who encourages new ideas and creativity. Able to build a strong team and a creative, healthy work environment.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented with a sense of urgency and proven track record of results. Passion and interest in the mission of the National Trust. Persuasive, inspiring, polished presentation skills. Experience working within a large, complex non-profit setting preferred.
• Advanced analytical skills, problem solving (issue identification and prioritization) skills, communication and presentation skills are essential for this role.
• Advanced project-management, team-management and client-management skills. Ability to achieve results with limited supervision.
• Effective presentation skills. Excellent writing, spelling, grammar, and proofreading skills, as well as strong verbal communication and customer service skills. Strong organizational skills. Excellent attention to detail.
• Experience successfully managing key stakeholders and relationships. Proven ability to collaborate across departments to implement processes and achieve results. Track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with multiple stakeholders. When working in the office, public contact and ability to work successfully in close proximity to others required. When working off site, ability work effectively in a remote environment, maintaining productivity and communications to meet deadlines and goals, is required.
• Demonstrated success in engaging culturally diverse colleagues and stakeholders. Bi-lingual language skills a plus. Demonstrated success engaging historically underrepresented communities, constituents, and partners. Ties to culturally diverse affinity groups, professional organizations, or related associations are a plus. Able to talk effectively about identities such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, or gender in plain, specific terms as they relate to the workplace and cultural heritage.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently and respond to a high volume of ongoing requests in a timely fashion. Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment. Ability to work effectively with frequent interruptions required. Able to handle frequently changing and/or unscheduled tasks with accuracy. Entrepreneurial spirit and skill set a plus.
• Proven ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications best practices.
• Regular and reliable attendance required.
• Travel required.