Vice President, Development

Vice President of Development tendersglobal.net Cox Science Center and Aquarium
tendersglobal.net West Palm Beach, FL

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium

Serving Palm Beach County since 1961, the mission of the Cox
Science Center and Aquarium (CSCA) is to “Open Every Mind to
Science.” The Cox Science Center and Aquarium delivers on this
promise every day by providing schools, visitors, and campers an
entirely new set of science programming and tech ventures based on
computer coding, robotics, and other leading-edge educational
programs. These programs have allowed the Cox Science Center and
Aquarium to educate more young minds than ever before, now serving
over 500,000 students, teachers, and visitors annually.

Elevating Science for the Next Generation Capital
Campaign

In November 2021, the Cox Science Center and Aquarium announced
exciting expansion plans along with a name change, thanks to a
record donation from philanthropists Howard and Wendy Cox. Their
$20 million lead gift served as the keystone for the $115m
(increased from an original goal of $85m) capital expansion
campaign to take the Cox Science Center and Aquarium into the
future with expanded exhibit and programming spaces, including one
of Florida’s largest aquariums. Major gifts from Citadel founder
and CEO Ken Griffin, Leonard Lauder, Charles and Helen Schwab, and
the David H. Koch Foundation were announced in early 2023. To date,
the campaign funds raised have exceeded $80 million and
construction is set to begin in 2024.

Upon completion, the Cox Science Center and Aquarium will triple in
size and more than double its attendance to over one million
visitors per year. The ground level will house the new grand lobby,
the 130,000-gallon Kenneth C. Griffin Aquarium, and STEAM Studio
Exhibition. The second level will feature an expanded Traveling
Exhibit Gallery, Digital Exhibit Gallery, and Technology & Me
exhibits.

Renovations to the original building will create a hub of education
spaces – The Schwab Family Next Generation STEM Learning Center
which will feature:

• Seven STEM classrooms including biology wet labs and immersive
tech spaces
• The Planetarium and Observatory
• Theater
• Digital Arts Studio

School programs will grow from 150,000 students to 350,000, with
50% of those being Title 1 students. The educational partnership
with Palm Beach County School District (the 10th largest district
in the nation) will double the schools served to over 200.

Kate Arrizza, President and CEO

Born and raised in Jupiter, FL, Kate volunteered at the Cox Science
Center and Aquarium in the late ‘90’s and is a proud product of the
Palm Beach County public school system. After receiving her
Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy,
she served as an Officer in the U.S. Navy for seven years.

Kate’s tenure at Cox Science Center and Aquarium during the past 13
years has been transformational and earned her such recognition and
awards as South Florida Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” award, Sun
Sentinel’s Top Workplace Professional Award, Women of Worth Award
winner, ESPN’s veteran of the month, and PBC Distinguished Alumni
Award. Kate also received West Palm Beach’s Hometown Hero Award,
recognizing the selfless efforts of community leaders and
organizations for their boundless energy and devotion to the
residents of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, and the
nation.

Kate, along with a committed and engaged board, have been
instrumental in securing the necessary philanthropic funds to lead
the Cox Science Center and Aquarium into this next chapter of its
history.

About the Position

Reporting to the President and CEO, Kate Arrizza, the Vice
President, Development (VPD) will be responsible for planning,
managing, and implementing activities that increase, diversify and
sustain philanthropic support for the Cox Science Center and
Aquarium from individual, corporate, foundation and government
funding sources.

The VPD will lead the development program through an exciting
historic next chapter of growth and momentum, play a critical role
in helping the Cox Science Center and Aquarium successfully close
out its historic $115m capital campaign while also elevating
fundraising for the institution.

The VPD will manage, mentor and coach a motivated and high
performing Development team as well as hire future development team
members. Additionally, this person will work closely with a
talented senior team in enhancing current programming and in
developing new program initiatives.

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium has an operating budget of $8m
of which $4m comes from philanthropic dollars. As the museum
expands and the operating budget grows exponentially, this person
will elevate and significantly enhance philanthropic support.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• As a member of the senior leadership team, partner with the
President & CEO and the Board in taking the Cox Science Center
and • Aquarium’s development program to the next level
• Partner with leadership and the board to successfully complete
the capital campaign
• Create and execute a strategy for a large, sustained base of
annual individual donors and corporate, foundation, and government
funders.
• In collaboration with COO and CFO, develop and implement a
financial strategy to ensure funds, donations and grants meet the
budgetary requirements of all programs.
• Participate at meetings of the Board of Trustees and select Board
committees including the Development Committee to provide counsel,
and report on development related issues and operations.

Fundraising

• Secure financial support from individuals, foundations,
corporations and government (local, state and federal).
• Personally manage and solicit from a portfolio of high net worth
prospects and donors
• Develop, establish, and implement the infrastructure needed to
grow through the solicitation of major gifts, federal and state
grants, special events, and corporate and foundation support.
• Expand and diversify donor base/pipeline
• In tandem with the development team, research and write
grant/application proposals, and report to multiple donor
sources.
• Oversee all data entry and management of donor database, and gift
processing.
• Manage capital campaigns with the Director of Philanthropy,
engaging and overseeing capital campaign firms as necessary.
• Manage fundraising events including its annual gal
•Support board members as they take on a more active fundraising
role.

Management

• Partner closely with the President and CEO and Board on donor
engagement and solicitation strategies
• Manage mentor and coach a high performing team of development
professionals
• As the team expands, hire and mentor additional development
staff
• Oversee the development of a best practice development
infrastructure, including systems, policies, and procedures to
ensure effectiveness and accountability across the program.
• Regularly communicate fundraising goals and progress to the
President and CEO and the Board

Key Qualifications

• Eight or more years of demonstrated success in securing
philanthropic funds for an institution of similar size.
• Three or more years managing development professionals.
• Proven success growing fundraising for an institution.
• Experience closing gifts at the 6-figure level required;
experience closing 7-figure gifts preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with strategic engagement of volunteer
leadership including committees and/or boards
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks accurately and within
deadlines.
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team setting.
• Experience with program evaluation, data collection and analysis
a plus.
• Good moral character, mature judgment and a strong sense of
responsibility and dedication.
• Highly positive and enthusiastic style; capable of motivating
others.
• Outstanding project management skills with the ability to drive
complex, multi-faceted projects forward to deliver results on
time.
• Experience working in an urban community with diverse
population.
• Interest in the work and mission of the Cox Science Center and
Aquarium a must; previous experience with a science or STEM related
organization a plus.

The salary range for this position begins at $125k and includes a
generous and comprehensive benefits package

Cox Science Center and Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer
and educational facility providing equal experiences without regard
to race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation,
military status, age or disability. Cox Science Center and Aquarium
believes that curiosity and critical thinking are essential to
equity and justice for all and diversity is a key component to the
success of STEM fields.

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume in confidence
here.

For more information, please visit www.developmentguild.com.

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