Manager of Development Stewardship and Communications

Reports to: Senior Manager of Major Gifts

Department: Development

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Benefits: Full Museum Benefits

Schedule: M-F, 9am-5pm

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

Mission: The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive.

The DMA will:

• Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate.
• Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art.
• Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity.

Scope of the Position:

The Manager of Stewardship will have primary responsibility to work closely with members of the Development team to create and implement a comprehensive stewardship strategy for the DMA. This position will manage the stewardship processes to recognize, thank, and steward current and past individual and institutional donors of the Museum, and will be responsible for ensuring consistency among various written materials. In addition, the Manager will support department staff in developing effective written communications that strengthen the case for individual and institutional support by translating the Museum’s philanthropic priorities into high-quality written materials, including donor correspondence, solicitation and sponsorship materials, and other fundraising communications.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create and implement donor acknowledgment and recognition procedures in collaboration with key Development team members, ensuring consistency and effectiveness across all donor audiences.
• Produce high-quality written materials for Development staff, the Museum leadership team, or others involved in donor solicitation and stewardship; must be able to personalize for multiple voices while aligning with institutional branding standards.
• Work cross-departmentally to create compelling donor communications that effectively highlight Museum activities, vision, and impact.
• Strategically design, document, and manage a systematic and integrated stewardship program focused on excellent written communications targeted for donors and Trustees.
• Produce communications for solicitation materials such as, donor letters, case statements, and proposals and more as needed.      
• Oversee and ensure that appropriate communications are completed in a timely manner for all gift levels and all types of      individual and institutional gifts.
• Support the drafting and editing of donor event remarks, donor emails, newsletters, event invitations, and Member magazine content as needed.
• Support donor recognition processes in annual publications such as the Annual Report, endowment reports, Member magazine; ensures the accuracy of donor rolls as needed.
• Other duties as assigned

Education, Experience, and Certifications:

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Non-Profit Management, Museum Studies, English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional writing or non-profit experience is required with an emphasis on donor relations, stewardship, and public relations.
• Experience in a major development office and understanding of organizational philanthropy is preferred.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment and demonstrated flexibility in meeting shifting demands and priorities is a must.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience using Raiser’s Edge preferred.

Key Qualifications: 

• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to write in multiple formats for various audiences and clearly synthesize information and edit for spelling and grammar.
• Ability to exercise judgment on a wide range of issues in written and verbal expression, style, tone, length, organization, etc. as the work represents the official brand and reputation of the Museum.
• Must have extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of oral and written communication to determine the most effective proposals and presentation materials.
• The ability to translate complex technical language and ideas into language easily comprehensible messages for various audiences. 
• Strong editing and proofreading skills. 
• Strong attention to detail and thoughtfulness in the work that is produced.
• Ability to think strategically about processes and procedures. 
• Ability to exercise high level of confidentiality with sensitive material.
• Knowledge of fundraising techniques, including donor relations and stewardship, and public relations

Our Core Values 

• Act with Integrity: We are honest and ethical.
• Build Inclusivity: We create spaces where everyone can feel like they belong.
• Communicate Respectfully: We listen intentionally and advocate for diverse perspectives.
• Embrace and Drive Change: We are innovative, creative, and solutions driven.
• Foster Connections: We collaborate around shared goals.
• Maintain Balance: We encourage ourselves and each other to reflect and recharge.
• Remain Curious: We pursue personal and professional learning.

Our Commitment to Equity and Diversity

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.