Director of Institutional Advancement

Racine Art Museum, 441 Main Street, Racine 53403

Status: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt

Starting Salary Range: $90,000 – $100,000 Annually

Reports To: Executive Director

Direct Reports: Business and Membership Manager, Development and Marketing Assistant

General Summary of Position

Principal Job Functions

Principal Job Functions

Advancement Leadership

• Lead the implementation of long-term advancement strategies that grow and diversify contributed revenue while ensuring alignment with the museum’s strategic priorities.
• Establish clear goals, metrics, and accountability systems for all areas of contributed revenue; regularly assess progress and adjust strategies to meet evolving institutional needs.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director and Board on philanthropic trends, campaign readiness, and long-term funding opportunities.
• Oversee the Advancement department’s annual operating budget and ensure sound financial planning, forecasting, and reporting.
• Partner with the Executive Director and senior leadership to ensure advancement priorities are coordinated with broader institutional initiatives that support sustainable growth.

Major Gifts and Donor Engagement

• Support and partner with the Executive Director in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of top-tier donors through prospect research, strategy development, briefing materials, and coordinated engagement plans.
• Personally manage a portfolio of major and principal gift donors and prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts at significant levels.
• Build and sustain long-term, trust-based relationships with donors, collectors, foundations, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure high-quality stewardship, recognition, and engagement practices that deepen donor loyalty and encourage long-term investment.

Capital, Endowment, and Comprehensive Campaigns

• Lead planning, preparation, and execution of capital, endowment, and comprehensive campaigns.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to develop campaign strategy, timelines, governance structures, and solicitation plans.
• Coordinate campaign-related prospect research, donor cultivation, proposal development, and tracking.
• Work closely with campaign counsel, when engaged, to ensure best practices and campaign success.

Institutional Giving, Sponsorship, and Grants

• Oversee a robust institutional giving program, including foundation, corporate, and government support, including sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
• Guide prospect identification, proposal development, and relationship management with institutional funders and corporate partners, ensuring alignment with museum priorities and engagement opportunities.
• Identify, value, package, and activate sponsorships and underwhelming opportunities aligned with exhibitions, programs, events, and institutional priorities.
• Develop and implement strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward sponsorships and partnerships that enhance both financial support and organizational visibility.
• Manage the grants portfolio and calendar in partnership with contract grant support, ensuring aligned, timely submissions and reporting
• Ensure timely reporting, compliance, and stewardship for all partnership-funded initiatives, maintaining strong, long-term relationships with institutional and corporate stakeholders.

Annual Giving, Membership, and Events

• Provide strategic oversight of annual giving and membership programs, with a focus on donor acquisition, retention, upgrades, and pipeline development for major gifts.
• Ensure that special events and donor engagement activities align with fundraising goals, institutional capacity, and return-on-investment expectations.
• Develop and implement fundraising event strategies and plans, ensuring seamless execution and adherence to budget.
• Collaborate across departments to integrate advancement initiatives with exhibitions, programs, and community engagement efforts in ways that reinforce institutional priorities and donor impact.

Advancement Operations and Communications

• Ensure effective use of CRM and advancement systems to support prospect management, segmentation, analysis, and reporting.
• Work with the marketing team to oversee the development of compelling fundraising materials, proposals, and donor communications that reflect the museum’s mission and brand.
• Establish and maintain best practices for advancement operations, data integrity, and internal workflows.

Board and Volunteer Engagement

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board leadership to engage Board members and key volunteers in fundraising, donor cultivation, and advocacy.
• Serve as staff liaison to Board committees related to advancement and fundraising, as appropriate.
• Provide training, tools, and support to help Board members and volunteers succeed as philanthropic ambassadors.

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing advancement team, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable culture.
• Set clear expectations and performance goals; support professional development and growth.
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership and department heads to align funding priorities and institutional messaging, and long-term sustainability goals.

Note: The job description above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of the exclusive standards, responsibilities, duties or skills required. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform other related duties, as may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE certification or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising or advancement, with increasing responsibility; experience in a museum, cultural organization, or community-focused nonprofit strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in major gifts fundraising, including solicitation and closing of six- and seven-figure individual and institutional gifts
• Experience participating in or supporting capital, endowment, or comprehensive campaigns, including planning, prospect development, and donor engagement.
• Strong relationship-building skills and comfort working within a regional philanthropic community, with the ability to identify and engage new donor prospects.
• Prior experience supervising staff or vendors and contributing to team-based fundraising goals; commitment to inclusive leadership and professional development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate institutional priorities into clear, compelling cases for support.
• Working knowledge of CRM and fundraising systems and comfort using data to inform strategy, track progress, and improve performance.
• Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed, and to serve as a visible and credible ambassador for the museum.

Benefits

Benefits include two weeks (10 days) paid vacation, group term life and disability insurance, eleven paid holidays, five personal/sick days, and compensatory time off immediately following the first full day of employment. Group health insurance, with employer paying 85% of the premium, is available following the first full month of employment. A retirement plan is available on the first enrollment date (January 1 or July 1) following 12 months of employment with a generous employer match/contribution. Employee discounts are available on studio art class fees and on purchases in the Museum Store.

Mail or email cover letter and resume to:
Robb Woulfe, Executive Director
Racine Art Museum and Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts
PO Box 187
441 Main Street
Racine, WI 53403

rwoulfe@ramart.org

No Phone Calls, Please

Development and Marketing Assistant

Racine Art Museum, 441 Main Street, Racine 53403

Status: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt

Starting Salary Range: $37,000 – 40,000 Annually

Reports To: Director of Institutional Advancement

General Summary of Position

The Development and Marketing Assistant provides operational, administrative, and systems support primarily for Racine Art Museum’s institutional advancement and contributed revenue functions, with secondary responsibilities for marketing and collections-related content. Reporting to the Director of Institutional Advancement, this role ensures the effective integration and maintenance of RAM’s CRM, website CMS, email marketing systems, and other digital platforms to support fundraising, membership, stewardship, donor communications, and marketing content.

This position plays a central role in strengthening RAM’s systems infrastructure, data management, and content workflows, enabling improved constituent tracking, audience insights, and engagement strategies. The Assistant also supports the preparation of marketing content—while ensuring accurate and actionable data across platforms.

Principal Job Functions

Principal Job Functions

Advancement Operations and CRM Support (Primary)

• Serve as a key resource for the implementation, maintenance, and optimization of RAM’s CRM and related advancement systems.
• Maintain accurate and timely constituent, donor, membership, sponsorship, and volunteer records.
• Integrate CRM with website and email marketing tools to ensure seamless coordination of campaigns, registrations, and donations.
• Support gift processing workflows, acknowledgements, and reporting in coordination with the Business and Membership Manager.
• Generate reports, dashboards, and data exports to inform strategy for fundraising, membership, and donor engagement.
• Assist with segmentation, list building, and data analysis to support appeals, campaigns, stewardship, and event registration.
• Document workflows, data standards, and systems procedures to enhance efficiency, consistency, and scalability.

Marketing, Collections, and Digital Content Support (Secondary)

• Assist with maintaining website and digital content, including program, exhibition, and collections information, donation forms, and integrated communications.
• Support preparation of collections photography and digital assets for marketing, donor communications, and public engagement initiatives.
• Track and report on audience engagement metrics across digital and in-person channels to inform marketing and development strategies.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team on campaigns, content updates, and analytics.

Major Gift, Grants, and Institutional Giving Support

• Provide administrative support for major gift cultivation, stewardship, and institutional giving.
• Assist with prospect research, donor profiles, briefing materials, and meeting preparation.
• Track donor interactions and next steps in the CRM to ensure continuity and accountability.
• Support grant tracking, deadlines, documentation, and reporting requirements.

Volunteer and Departmental Support

• Provide administrative coordination for RAM’s volunteer program.
• Assist with departmental planning, event support, and communications to strengthen operational workflows.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all donor, volunteer, and marketing-related matters.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Utilize electronic systems to support integrated data, audience insights, and informed decision-making.
• Engage professionally with donors, members, volunteers, partners, and staff.
• Support RAM’s mission and institutional priorities as articulated by leadership and the Board.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Note: The job description above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of the exclusive standards, responsibilities, duties or skills required. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform other related duties, as may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 1–3 years of experience in development operations, advancement services, or marketing support preferred.
• Experience with CRM systems, website CMS platforms, and email marketing tools, ideally with integrated workflows.
• Familiarity with tracking constituent engagement, loyalty, and retention data to support revenue strategies is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Interest in museums, arts, culture, or nonprofit organizations.
• Availability for occasional evenings or weekends as needed.

Benefits

Benefits include two weeks (10 days) paid vacation, group term life and disability insurance, eleven paid holidays, five personal/sick days, and compensatory time off immediately following the first full day of employment. Group health insurance, with employer paying 85% of the premium, is available following the first full month of employment. A retirement plan is available on the first enrollment date (January 1 or July 1) following 12 months of employment with a generous employer match/contribution. Employee discounts are available on studio art class fees and on purchases in the Museum Store.

Mail or email cover letter and resume to:
Laura D’Amato, Deputy Director and Chief Development Officer
Racine Art Museum and Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts
PO Box 187
441 Main Street
Racine, WI 53403

ldamato@ramart.org

No Phone Calls, Please

Exhibitions Preparator Assistant

Racine Art Museum, 441 Main Street, Racine 53403

Status: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt

Starting Salary Range: $37,000 – 40,000 Annually

Reports To: Director of Exhibitions and Collections / Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer

General Summary of Position

Under the direction of the Director of Exhibitions and Collections and supervision of daily activities by the Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, this position assists the Exhibitions and Collections Departments in the performance of routine preparatory duties including the preparation and installation of exhibitions; maintaining and caring for the permanent collection; handling, packing, storing, shipping, receiving, unpacking; and transporting art works that are in the Museum’s care. This position serves both RAM and RAM’s Wustum Museum (two physically separate museums) as well as local offsite storage locations. Some evening and weekend hours are required.

Principal Job Functions

Under the direction of appropriate staff and as reporting to the Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, assists with installation of exhibitions and works of art on display at both museum campuses.

• Prepare and clean exhibition/display space, including addressing painting and construction as needed.
• Prepare, move, and place exhibition furniture.
• Prepare, move, and place/handle works of art.
• Establishing appropriate lighting and security for objects on display.
• Install exhibition signage.
• Work directly with artists who are installing on-site.
• Coordinate and co-create education and outreach displays such as touch samples or educational materials such as video, books, etc.

With input from appropriate staff and as reporting to the Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, install exhibitions in non-gallery locations and special projects.

• Work on exhibitions/events/special projects such as the Holiday Tree, regularly occurring art sales, outdoor installations, and others.
• Prepare and clean exhibition/display space, including addressing painting and construction as needed.
• Prepare, move, and place exhibition furniture.
• Prepare, move, and place/handle works of art.
• Establish appropriate lighting and security for objects on display.
• Install exhibition signage.
• Work with artists installing on site as needed.
• Coordinate and co-create education and outreach displays such as touch samples or educational materials such as video, books, etc.

Handle and transport works of art.

• Receive and unpack incoming/outgoing work; move and place work for storage and for exhibition; ship and pack work for transport. Work with Registrar/Collections Manager as needed.
• Work with appropriate staff to identify adequate storage for all loaned objects when not yet on view.
• Move objects between RAM and Wustum campuses and from off-site storage locations.
• Work with the Registrar/Collections Manager to implement the transport and storage of incoming gifts, conservation, and exhibition loans.
• Assist with the packaging and shipping of articles sold by the Museum Store as needed.
• Package and transport works of art from donors and lenders or to/from conservation.

Under the direction of appropriate staff and as reporting to the Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, maintain and care for the permanent collection.

• Place works of art in storage; maintain, organize, and clean the storage spaces.
• Make objects available for catalogue or promotional photography.

 General gallery/building safety and security.

• With guidance from Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, provide training to co-workers for proper opening/closing procedures as needed.
• With guidance from Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, maintain up-to-date opening/closing written instructions available for staff reference.
• With guidance from Chief Exhibitions Preparator and Designer, communicate changes via email, etc. in opening/closing procedures as they pertain to specific exhibitions.
• Share responsibility with various staff for securely opening and closing the RAM building (lights, locking/unlocking, etc.)
• Work with Registrar/Collections Manager to implement security procedures for galleries, building, and works of art.
• Work with staff to maintain all aspects of gallery functionality.
• Perform general housekeeping duties in exhibition areas.
• Work with Facilities Manager and appropriate staff to coordinate tasks as needed.
• Work with appropriate staff to share responsibility for shipping and receiving of packages at the loading dock and for maintaining that space.

Note: The job description above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of the exclusive standards, responsibilities, duties or skills required. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform other related duties, as may be required.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Previous experience in exhibit spaces, historical/art museums, galleries, or display venues desired.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position generally works in display, storage, and warehouse conditions. This is a physical position and requires the ability to safely lift/move art that could be fragile and/or of considerable weight. It is mandatory that the Preparator exercises self-awareness of the task at hand and obtains assistance from others as necessary for personal safety and to ensure protection of the art. Also required is the ability to climb ladders, use hand tools, and operate machinery such as a scissors lift. A valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle that could be used to perform some work-related duties is required.

Other Required Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to balance physical labor, attention to detail, and problem-solving.
• Ability to complete a variety of tasks, sometimes under strenuous deadlines.
• Ability to perform mathematically-oriented tasks such as determining gallery height for hanging work and calculating for proper matting and framing.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with artists, co-workers, interns, and lenders.
• Working knowledge of Art history, Art Education, Studio Art, or related subjects.

Benefits

Benefits include two weeks (10 days) paid vacation, group term life and disability insurance, eleven paid holidays, five personal/sick days, and compensatory time off immediately following the first full day of employment. Group health insurance, with employer paying 85% of the premium, is available following the first full month of employment. A retirement plan is available on the first enrollment date (January 1 or July 1) following 12 months of employment with a generous employer match/contribution. Employee discounts are available on studio art class fees and on purchases in the Museum Store.

Mail or email cover letter and resume to:
Lena Vigna, Director of Exhibitions and Collections
Racine Art Museum and Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts
PO Box 187
441 Main Street
Racine, WI 53403

lvigna@ramart.org

No Phone Calls, Please