Manager of Membership and Strategic Partnerships

Position: Manager of Membership and Strategic Partnerships

Full-Time Salaried | Exempt

Department: Development

Reports to: Director of Development

Summary

Virginia MOCA seeks an energetic and relationship-driven professional to join the Development team as Manager of Membership and Strategic Partnerships. This role is responsible for growing and stewarding the Museum’s membership program while developing and securing support from corporate sponsors and business partners, and managing Generation MOCA, a dynamic committee of young leaders.

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Manager will lead strategies to expand membership, strengthen retention and upgrades, cultivate corporate partnerships, and engage emerging leaders in support of exhibitions, programs, and institutional priorities. The position plays an important role in generating philanthropic revenue and strengthening the Museum’s base of supporters.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Virginia MOCA at a transformative moment as the Museum has opened its new home on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University. The Manager of Membership and Strategic Partnerships will help build philanthropic support and corporate sponsorships during this landmark moment for the Museum and the region.

Key Responsibilities

Membership Program

• Manage and grow Virginia MOCA’s membership program, including individual, household, and higher-tier categories.


• Develop and implement strategic plans for member acquisition, retention, and upgrades.


• Design and execute community-facing engagement that expands awareness of membership benefits and converts new audiences into members.


• Develop and oversee member communications, benefits, and engagement strategies to ensure a strong and meaningful member experience.


• Collaborate with Marketing and Visitor Services to integrate membership messaging across platforms and strengthen visitor-to-member conversion.


• Track membership data, analyze trends, and recommend improvements to increase participation, retention, and revenue.

Corporate Partnerships

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate sponsors and business partners in support of Virginia MOCA’s exhibitions, programs, and institutional priorities.


• Build and maintain a robust pipeline and prospect list of corporate partners and key business leaders to expand the Museum’s base of support.


• Conduct ongoing prospect research to identify new corporate partnership opportunities and strengthen existing relationships.


• Develop and present customized sponsorship proposals that align corporate interests with Museum initiatives and funding opportunities.


• Manage corporate sponsorship agreements and ensure fulfillment of recognition and partnership benefits.


• Actively pursue new corporate sponsorship opportunities and contribute to achieving annual corporate fundraising revenue goals.


• Track corporate fundraising activity and maintain accurate records in the Museum’s CRM system.

Generation MOCA

• Manage the Generation MOCA Advisory Council (Gen MOCA), a committee of young leaders under 40 dedicated to promoting the arts and supporting Virginia MOCA’s mission.


• Oversee the engagement of Gen MOCA members to ensure a dynamic and active committee.


• Plan and coordinate events, programming, and initiatives that connect Gen MOCA members to the Museum and its broader community.


• Serve as the primary liaison between Gen MOCA and the Development team, ensuring alignment with Museum priorities.

Collaboration and Development Operations

• Work closely with the Director of Development to support annual fundraising goals and priorities.


• Maintain accurate donor and member records in the Museum’s CRM system.


• Coordinate the timely dissemination of gift receipts, invoices, and annual tax acknowledgment letters.


• Support the planning and execution of fundraising and cultivation events in collaboration with internal teams.


• Collaborate across departments to align fundraising, membership, and outreach opportunities with exhibitions, education programs, and community initiatives.


• Serve as a key ambassador for the Museum through community outreach efforts that increase visibility, deepen relationships, and drive membership and philanthropic support.


• Provide general support to the Development team and assist with additional fundraising initiatives and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of experience in fundraising, membership programs, sponsorships, partnerships, or related relationship-building roles.


• Demonstrated success building relationships and securing support from individuals or organizations.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to represent the Museum in the community.


• Highly organized and goal-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.


• Experience working with donor or membership databases (Neon CRM or similar) preferred.


• Bachelor’s degree required.

Additional Requirements

• Availability for occasional evenings and weekends for events and donor engagement.


• Ability to assist with light event setup and breakdown when needed.

Virginia MOCA strives for an inclusive work environment and actively embraces a diversity of people, ideas, talents, and experiences. We highly encourage Black, Indigenous, and people of color, individuals with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups to apply.

No phone calls or walk-ins, please.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews will be held thereafter.