Senior Director of Development

The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), known internationally as one of the leading art and design colleges, seeks a strategic, enterprising, and proven advancement professional to serve as the next senior director of development, RISD Museum (senior director). This is a unique opportunity to lead advancement efforts to support the RISD Museum, one of the institution’s most valued assets.

Recognized for its renowned faculty of artists and designers, RISD offers a breadth of specialized facilities and the intensity of its studio-based approach to learning—an approach where critical thinking informs the making of works by hand. Over 2,600 students from around the world study at RISD, pursuing full-time bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in the fine arts, architecture, or design majors, complemented by essential study in the liberal arts. The mission of RISD, through the college and the RISD Museum, is to educate its students and the public in the creation and appreciation of works of art and design, to discover and transmit knowledge, and to make lasting contributions to a global society through critical thinking, scholarship, and innovation. The RISD Museum is the third largest university art museum in the country in terms of the size of its collections, and it believes that art, artists, and the institutions that support them play pivotal roles in promoting broad engagement and creating more open societies.

Reporting to the vice president for institutional advancement (VP) as part of her senior management group and serving as a key partner to the museum’s director, the senior director will play a central role in advancing the museum’s mission, visibility, and impact. This position is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports the museum’s operations, enhances its reputation as a cultural destination locally, nationally, and globally, and drives philanthropic growth. As the primary fundraiser for the museum, the senior director will engage a diverse network of alumni, donors, community leaders, faculty, staff, and external constituents to cultivate meaningful relationships and secure significant support. This exciting opportunity comes at a pivotal moment in RISD’s evolution as the institution enters the third year of its strategic plan, Next: RISD 2020-2027, focused on innovation, inclusion, sustainability, and institutional excellence.

The ideal candidate must possess at least ten years of progressive experience and a proven track record of success securing six- and seven-figure gift commitments in higher education, an art institution, or a museum. Additionally, the successful candidate will have demonstrably built and maintained strong, collaborative connections with varied internal and external constituencies and possess a sophisticated understanding of the complexities around raising philanthropic support for an art institute and/or museum. The senior director must be a collaborative team player and relationship-builder who is eager to partner with and across RISD Museum’s ecosystem, including but not limited to RISD’s Institutional Advancement team, museum leadership, operations, and curatorial staff, as well as the Museum’s Board of Governors (MBOG), key academic leaders, and valued volunteers. The ideal candidate will possess a personal passion for the arts and connections and experiences in the arts community. 

The anticipated salary range is $125,000 to $140,000. As an employer, RISD offers a supportive, collegial, and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package. This role operates on a hybrid schedule with various nights and weekends as needed.  

Jack Gorman is leading this search with Christina Garrison and Lisa Clayton.