Vice President and Chief Advancement and Communications Officer at Conner Prairie Museum

Description

Principal Function: The Vice President and Chief Advancement and Communications Officer (CACO) is a Conner Prairie c-suite position responsible for the leadership of external communications and fundraising activities to ensure that the organization has the financial resources and public support needed to grow and achieve its strategic goals and objectives. This role uses integrated strategies to build visibility and secure financial resources through development, outreach, and strong relationships with the community and funders. The role of the CACO is to merge the strategic management of Conner Prairie's public image with its crucial work of securing the financial resources needed to achieve and to advance its mission. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities - These include, but are not limited to:

1. Works with the Development team to plan and execute fundraising campaigns and build strategies in alignment with Conner Prairie's strategic plan.
2. Oversees the entire fundraising cycle, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and through planned giving. 
3. Manages full portfolio of major and principal gift prospects in partnership with the President & CEO.
4. Manage relationships with constituents, board members, and other key stakeholders to build a strong network and support base. By acting as a key bridge between Conner Prairie and its constituents the CACO helps to build meaningful connections that lead to sustained engagement and philanthropy. 
5. Possesses a high level of confidence and charisma to foster engagement of individuals and groups while representing Conner Prairie in regional, state, and national forums to include keynote speaker and expert panel discussions.
6. Works with the Communications team to develop and implement communication strategies to enhance Conner Prairie's image and message consistency across all channels of the organization. 
7. Ensures a consistent brand voice and manages the organization's public relations to improve brand recognition and trust. 
8. Navigates communication during crises to maintain transparency and public trust. 
9. Works with advancement teams to create and manage development and marketing budgets, track and analyze development and marketing campaign performances, and use data to inform strategic decisions.
10. Works with other c-suite members to serve as a liaison to oversee the relevant board committee work and support the committee chair. The CACO helps to support the Development, Governance, and MarCom committees.
11. Collaborates with other c-suite members to focus on shared strategic goals, ensure cross-functional collaboration, maintain open and honest communication, resolve conflicts constructively, and show mutual respect and support for each other's functions and expertise. This collaboration is essential for the leadership to make informed strategic decisions, effectively execute business strategies, and ensure the organization operates smoothly and successfully.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Leads the Advancement Division by working with the AVP of Development and Marketing and the Director of Marketing to develop and implement comprehensive plans for fundraising and communications that align with the organization's overall strategic goals. By integrating communications and development efforts, the CACO helps to create a cohesive and compelling message that strengthens the organization's impact. Employee fulfills supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; scheduling and approving time worked; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) in philanthropy, business development, or other related field is required; master’s degree (M.A./M.B.A.) is desired;  ten years’ experience in development, or fundraising experience in a leadership role is required. Previous leadership experience is required and c-suite experience preferred. Previous experience working in the museum and/or entertainment park industry is desired.

Qualifications

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the organization. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Competencies: To perform this job successfully, all employees at Conner Prairie should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Customer Service – Responds to requests for service and assistance; Manages difficult or emotional customer situations focusing on listening without interrupting and keeping ones emotions under control; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Maintains confidentiality and meets commitments; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.
• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
• Diversity – Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics – Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support  - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization’s goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Communication skills – Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking abilities to articulate the organization's mission to diverse audiences.
• Quality/Quantity – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to promote and improve quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality; Meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity and works quickly.
• Safety/Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Attendance/Punctuality/Dependability – Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and events on time; Follows instructions; Responds to management’s direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternative plan.

Job-related Competencies – To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Industry knowledge - Deep understanding of the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, and best practices in fundraising and communications.
• Fundraising expertise - A proven track record of successfully raising funds from various sources and managing comprehensive development programs.
• Communication skills - Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking abilities to articulate the organization's mission to diverse audiences.
• Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust; Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.
• Strategic Thinking - The ability to analyze data, set measurable goals, and connect advancement strategies to the broader organizational mission. Understands organization's strengths and weaknesses, identifies external threats and opportunities, and develops strategies to achieve its goals; Analyzes market and competition; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.

• Leadership - Demonstrated success in leading teams, motivating staff, and engaging board members and volunteers. Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to CP profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) in philanthropy, business development, or other related field is required; master’s degree (M.A./M.B.A.) is desired;  ten years’ experience in development, or fundraising experience in a leadership role is required. Previous leadership experience is required and c-suite experience preferred. Previous experience working in the museum and/or entertainment park industry is desired.

Other Skills and Abilities: The following skills and abilities are either required or desired.

• Computer software skills required include Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Blackbaud Altru.
• A working knowledge of fundraising techniques is required.
• The ability to build relationships with both corporate and individual donors and influence their decisions about giving is required.
• The ability to prepare and maintain financial budgets is required.
• The ability to operate a computer, printer, copy machine, scanner, fax machine, and other office equipment is required.
• The ability to speak, read and write in English is required. Spanish is desired.    

Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee will frequently stand, walk; and lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds. The employee occasionally will climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally is exposed to working near moving mechanical parts and the risk of electrical shock when working with office equipment and outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

While the offices of Conner Prairie are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, this position may require work beyond these hours and during the weekends. It also may require occasional domestic travel. Thus, a valid driver’s license is desired.