Vice President of Development

Vice President of Development

The Cosmosphere

Hutchison, Kansas

 

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with The
Cosmosphere to recruit the organization’s new Vice
President of Development.

Background

Founded in 1962, The Cosmosphere International ScieEd Center
& Museum’s mission is “Inspiring Innovation Through Science
Education and Honoring the History of Space Exploration.”

The Cosmosphere is home to the
largest collection of U.S. space artifacts outside the Smithsonian
and the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside
Moscow. One of the first affiliates of the Smithsonian Institution,
The Cosmosphere hosts over 100,000 visitors per year, including
over 12,000 schoolchildren. Entertainment venues at The Cosmosphere
include the Hall of Space Museum, Carey Digital Dome Theatre,
Justice Planetarium and Dr. Goddard’s Lab. Recently, the
organization completed the “Revitalization Campaign” for facility
improvements raising over $11 Million since 2014, and renovations
are in progress.

The Cosmosphere provides leading edge STEM programming both at
The Cosmosphere and virtually, and it seeks to enhance and expand
this educational programming in the coming years. To maximize this
potential, additional space is being considered.

SpaceWorks, a division of The Cosmosphere, provides restoration
and replication of space artifacts, as well as museum and exhibit
design and production services. Their work has been utilized by
museums, private collectors, and numerous film and TV productions
including the movie Apollo 13.

For more information, please visit www.cosmo.org.

Position Summary

The Cosmosphere is seeking a seasoned development professional
to assume the position of Vice President of Development and grow
the development program. Reporting to the President and CEO, and
working closely with the executive team, the

Vice President of Development will plan, direct, and coordinate
all development activities, including major gift fundraising,
annual giving, planned giving, campaign management, and special
activities.

The Cosmosphere is located in Hutchison, Kansas, and the Vice
President of Development will maintain an office there. Building
and developing a strong network of supporters in the community is
essential, and the professional in this position is expected to be
a connector and vocal advocate between The Cosmosphere and the
Hutchison community. In addition, the Vice President is expected to
build new relationships and strengthen current connections with
supporters across the nation, especially those in the air and space
industry such as NASA, The Smithsonian, Space X, and others. A
hybrid work schedule to accommodate essential travel for this
purpose is expected.

Responsibilities

Strategic and Management
Responsibilities

• Develop and execute The Cosmosphere’s overall fundraising
  strategy and annual fundraising plans in support of Cosmosphere’s
  services, programming, and endowment, as well as support for
  strategic priorities for growth and sustainability.
• Develop, increase, and manage the fundraising capacity of The
  Cosmosphere.
• Act as a connector and vocal advocate between The Cosmosphere
  and the Hutchison and Reno County communities, through regular and
  consistent involvement in community organizations and
  activities.
• Maintain or build strategic relationships with current and
  potential individual, corporate and organizational donors across
  the country to identify possible funding opportunities.
• Supervise and direct the work of the Development
  Coordinator.

Development Responsibilities

• Create and implement annual development plan and strategy.
• Identify and cultivate prospective major gift, corporate and
  planned giving donors.
• Initiate, plan, support and participate in fundraising
  solicitations.
• Travel as necessary to be successful in cultivating, soliciting
  and stewarding donors.
• Identify grant opportunities to support The Cosmosphere’s
  mission, including federal, state, and local grant opportunities.
  Coordinate proposal writing and management of successful
  grants.
• Coordinate activities and goals with the fundraising committee
  and board members on annual and targeted campaigns.
• Coordinate development of publications to solicit donations and
  raise awareness of needs that require funding.
• Serve as public spokesperson on museum needs and fundraising
  activities.
• Maintain high ethical standards for fundraising activities and
  train new board members and committee members on those
  standards.
• Train and lead other staff to support fundraising and marketing
  efforts.

Qualifications

• Education: BA (required), MA (a plus)
• 5+ years of demonstrated leadership success in non-profit
  fundraising and development, including cultivation and solicitation
  of individual donors, foundations, and corporations, as well as
  grant writing and grant management
• Knowledge of museum development and experience with science and
  space programs is a plus
• Proven management and leadership capabilities
• Experience working with senior level executives in a corporate
  environment
• High energy, positive, “can-do” attitude, flexibility,
  teamwork, and attention to detail; high degree of initiative
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate, and manage new
  donors
• Strong relationship-building skills
• Willingness to engage in significant travel regionally and
  nationally
• Good computer skills and knowledge of database programs (The
  Cosmosphere currently uses Versai Museum Management Software.)

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $95,000 – $120,000. The
Cosmosphere offers a generous benefits package, including PTO,
health insurance, retirement plan, and a social membership in
Prairie Dunes Country Club.

The compensation range for the individual hired as Vice
President of Development will be competitive and in accordance with
the background and experience of the selected candidate.

Non-Discrimination

The Cosmosphere is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the
policy of The Cosmosphere to provide fair and equal employment
opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees, and to not
discriminate based on any class protected by applicable laws.

Application Process

The search for The Cosmosphere’s Vice President of Development
is being conducted by The Moran Company.

To apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume to
Jane Lampo, The Moran Company. Resume should include all
relevant professional education and experience, dates of employment
(month and year) and position/title and organization names. The
cover letter should articulate relevant experience and fit with the
stated preferences of the position. 

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