Vice President of Development

Vice President of Development

The Cosmosphere

Hutchison, Kansas

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

Background

Founded in 1962, The Cosmosphere International ScieEd Center & Museum’s mission is “Inspiring Innovation Through Science Education and Honoring the History of Space Exploration.”

The Cosmosphere is home to the largest collection of U.S. space artifacts outside the Smithsonian and the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside Moscow. One of the first affiliates of the Smithsonian Institution, The Cosmosphere hosts over 100,000 visitors per year, including over 12,000 schoolchildren. Entertainment venues at The Cosmosphere include the Hall of Space Museum, Carey Digital Dome Theatre, Justice Planetarium and Dr. Goddard’s Lab. Recently, the organization completed the “Revitalization Campaign” for facility improvements raising over $11 Million since 2014, and renovations are in progress.

The Cosmosphere provides leading edge STEM programming both at The Cosmosphere and virtually, and it seeks to enhance and expand this educational programming in the coming years. To maximize this potential, additional space is being considered.

SpaceWorks, a division of The Cosmosphere, provides restoration and replication of space artifacts, as well as museum and exhibit design and production services. Their work has been utilized by museums, private collectors, and numerous film and TV productions including the movie Apollo 13.

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

Position Summary

The Cosmosphere is seeking a seasoned development professional to assume the position of Vice President of Development and grow the development program. Reporting to the President and CEO, and working closely with the executive team, the

Vice President of Development will plan, direct, and coordinate all development activities, including major gift fundraising, annual giving, planned giving, campaign management, and special activities.The

Cosmosphere is located in Hutchison, Kansas, and the Vice President of Development will maintain an office there. Building and developing a strong network of supporters in the community is essential, and the professional in this position is expected to be a connector and vocal advocate between The Cosmosphere and the Hutchison community. In addition, the 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. A hybrid work schedule to accommodate essential travel for this purpose is expected.

Responsibilities

Strategic and Management Responsibilities

• 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.
• Act as a connector and vocal advocate between The Cosmosphere and the Hutchison and Reno County communities, through regular and consistent involvement in community organizations and activities.
• Maintain or build strategic relationships with current and potential individual, corporate and organizational donors across the country to identify possible funding opportunities.
• Supervise and direct the work of the Development Coordinator.

Development Responsibilities

• Create and implement 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 (required), MA (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 management and leadership capabilities
• 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 $95,000 – $120,000. The Cosmosphere offers a generous benefits package, including PTO, health insurance, retirement plan, and a social membership in Prairie Dunes Country Club.

The compensation range for the individual hired as Vice President of Development 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 Vice President of Development 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 experience and fit with the stated preferences of the position. APPLY NOW