Job Title: Executive Director

Organization: Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum

Location: Raleigh, NC

Employment Type: Full-Time Starting Salary: $50,000 annually

About us:

The Friends of The City of Raleigh (COR) Museum is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and fundraising for the city-operated COR Museum and its exhibits, events, and programs. The Friends help advance the Museum’s mission to preserve and interpret the history of North Carolina’s capital City while envisioning its future – to ensure diverse, dynamic, and innovative programming and strong partnerships within Raleigh’s local communities, governmental agencies, civic groups, clubs, neighborhoods, and businesses.

Job Description:

1. Organizational Development and Strategic Planning

a. The Executive Director will be the sole full-time employee of a growing organization looking to expand its operation and impact in the years ahead. They will help provide the vision and direction to fulfill these ambitions.

b. The organization is currently developing a new strategic plan. The Executive Director will help oversee, shape, and execute this plan.

c. The City of Raleigh Museum is looking to expand its footprint in the next several years, by providing more exhibits, programming, events, and storage space to better serve all Raleigh residents. The Executive Director will help to fundraise and plan for this expansion.

2. Fund Development

a. Collaborate with the Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum Board (Board) to set, execute, and achieve revenue goals, reach annual revenue requirements, and build reserves to support future growth. This includes but is not limited to, the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of corporate and foundation gifts, major individual gifts, planned giving, special events, and grant writing.

b. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospective donors. Oversee the planning and execution of all fundraising events by providing support and ensuring their success.

d. Plan, monitor, and evaluate all fundraising campaigns and activities, including direct mail, to maximize their impact.

e. Secure corporate gifts, sponsorships, and foundation support to diversify our funding sources.

f. Manage and maintain the donor database; manage a portfolio of donors and prospective donors; verify and monitor accurate records to prepare stewardship reports, communications, and gift acknowledgment.

3. Nonprofit and Financial Oversight

a. Under the leadership of the Board Finance Chair, develop, implement, and manage the annual budget.

b. Oversee daily best practices, monthly financial closeouts, and provide quarterly reports to the board, as well as annual financial tracking and analysis.

c. Monitor department-level spending and revenue generation on an ongoing basis to ensure continual financial health for the organization. Secure resources and manage organizational expenses to ensure financial health and sustainability.

d. Manage contracts, communication with contractors, and ensure that the provisions of the contracts are properly undertaken, and the contractors are paid in a timely way.

4. Board Support

a. Meet regularly with the Board Chair and Executive Committee, attend all Board meetings, and assist in the functioning of Board-led committees.

b. Maintain open, regular communication with the Board, providing the support, counsel, and information necessary for effective governance.

c. Support the Board in their roles related to fundraising, strategic planning, program oversight, and visibility efforts.

d. Aid in the recruitment, onboarding, and professional development of Board members.

e. Partner with the Board to assess and refine governance practices and policies.

5. Membership and Organization Support

a. Maintain an up-to-date member information database, including renewal dates, individual interests, and other member data. Arrange for periodic updates of the Friends software and coordinating any other technical issues surrounding use of the software for this purpose.

b. Communicate with members to make them aware of member benefits, solicit membership renewals, arrange for communication materials to be sent to members, advise the Board on new member strategies, and ensure that member benefits are distributed to the members in a timely way.

c. Document, inventory and maintain any physical property of the Friends.

d. Coordinate with Museum staff and the Board Chair to organize and support logistics for the Annual Meeting of the Friends.

6. Coordination with Museum Staff

a. Attend periodic meetings with staff employed by the City to plan activities in support of the Museum, coordinate fundraising, ensure effective communication, and collaborate on select events.

b. Ensure that financial arrangements between the City and the Friends are properly documented and that payments are sent and received as appropriate in a timely way.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong organizational and project management/nonprofit management skills.

• Ability to consistently meet deadlines while handling multiple assignments.

• Relevant experience in a fundraising-related role.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience with writing advertising materials and engaging with donors at all levels.

• Exceptional attention to detail and analytical skills, including experience with reporting.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple tasks and priorities.

• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

• Reliable transportation and ability to travel to in-person meetings, as Board meetings (and other recurring meetings) are held after hours.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Office 365.

Salary Range & Benefits:

• Salary: $50,000

• Flexible schedule with hybrid work options, as regular attendance will be needed during evenings and weekends for events and meetings

• Deeply rewarding work with visible impact

To apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to Abigail.Kellerman@raleighnc.gov with the subject line: Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum Executive Director Application – [Your Name]. Optional – please provide an example of an annual report or fundraising event with supporting materials documenting proven success. Deadline to apply is August 1, 2025.