Director of Major and Planned Giving

The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) seeks a collaborative and strategic advancement professional to serve as the director of major and planned giving (director). With a passion and love for the arts and understanding of fundraising best practices, the director will lead and oversee PEM’s major and planned giving programs, partnering closely with museum leadership, curators, and advancement staff. Reporting to the chief philanthropy officer, the director will oversee a team of three, set annual goals, and lead strategy to expand and elevate PEM's planned, major, and principal gifts programs. In close partnership with the executive director, CEO, chief philanthropy officer, and board of trustees, the director will support the implementation of PEM’s strategic plan, PEM Forward, and build on the museum's strengths as the institution charts an exciting future trajectory.

The Peabody Essex Museum was founded in 1799 by several of America's first global entrepreneurs. Some of the earliest Americans to develop trading relationships with countries in Asia, Africa, Oceania, and elsewhere, these venturists also brought magnificent art back to Salem from the cultures they encountered. Generosity of spirit and civic-mindedness are central to PEM’s origin story, from the moment that Salem’s global traders created a society of wonder and discovery for the Salem community. Today, PEM deeply embraces its identity as a human-centered museum and prioritizes people – visitors, communities, and staff – at the heart of everything it does, including centering human stories, creating meaningful connections, ensuring accessibility and belonging, and engaging communities locally and globally.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a talented fundraiser to join PEM at a unique moment of growth and aspiration. The director will join a collegial team passionate about the arts, culture, and community, and, as a key member of the advancement team, will significantly contribute to advancing philanthropic priorities and the museum’s mission. The ideal candidate will possess at least seven years of successful fundraising experience, preferably in a museum or museum-related field. The director must have an understanding of fundraising best practices and possess a proven track record of developing and fostering meaningful relationships that produce a sustainable major gift pipeline and program. The successful candidate will have personal success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors at the six- and seven-figure levels, and will possess proficiency in leveraging data and systems to inform strategy. Critical to success will be the credibility, maturity, and sophistication necessary to effectively engage with a diverse constituency of senior leadership, curatorial staff, and high-level volunteers. In leading and developing a team of three, the director must also possess a track record of or proven ability to mentor, manage, and elevate the work of frontline fundraisers. A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

Jack Gorman is leading this search with Christina Garrison and Sandeep Kaur.

The Peabody Essex Museum has a strong institutional commitment to diversity and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.