About The Gables:
The House of the Seven Gables (The Gables) was made famous by the novel of the same name written by American literary icon Nathaniel Hawthorne. Through its historic structures and collections, The Gables preserves and presents the American architectural, literary, cultural and maritime history of coastal New England spanning three centuries. The Gables is located in Salem Massachusetts, less than an hour’s drive north of Boston, on more than 5 acres of landscaped grounds on historic Salem Harbor. The House of the Seven Gables campus was recently designated a National Historic Landmark District.
The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association was founded in 1910 by Caroline Emmerton, a philanthropist and preservationist, committed to assisting immigrant families who were settling in Salem at the turn of the century. At that time the industrial revolution had accelerated the demand for labor and former seaport towns, like Salem, became centers of industrial activity and home to many immigrant groups. Inspired by Jane Addam’s Hull House, Emmerton purchased what was the old Turner Mansion in 1908, the inspiration for Hawthorne’s novel, “The House of the Seven Gables”. She worked with Joseph Chandler, a notable 20th century historic preservation architect, to restore and renovate the house. Emmerton’s goal was to preserve the house for future generations, to provide educational opportunities for visitors, and to use the proceeds from the tours to fund her settlement programs.
The House of the Seven Gables’ mission has continued to focus on education, preservation and community service. Today more than 120,000 individuals and families visit The Gables annually, including approximately 16,000 school-age students participating in education programs. At Emmerton Hall, located across the street from the main campus and known as “The Settlement,” more than 150 children ages 3-12 are served through its preschool, day care, after school, and summer camp programs. These programs are available to all families, regardless of ability to pay.
About the Organization:
The Gables is governed by a 21-member Board of Trustees, representing disciplines from the worlds of education, social service, history, museums, as well as key sectors of business and the community. The Gables is supported annually by revenues generated from visitation, museum store sales, more than 225 members, donors, corporate sponsors and partners, and public and private grants.
With assets of $4 million and an operating budget of $2.2 million, The Gables employs 45 staff year round and 60 seasonally. Currently, donations and grants provide $250,000; and The Gables $2 million endowment generates $195,000 in investment income to support programs, exhibits and operations. Significant growth of contributed income and endowment is essential to the museum’s future.
About the Position:
The Director of Development position at The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association offers an excellent opportunity for a creative, innovative and talented fundraising professional to help shape, transform and grow The Gables’ Institutional Advancement programs. The Director of Development will be a strategic and valued leader of the Institutional Advancement Team working with The Gables Executive Director, Director of Education and Community Service, Membership/Annual Fund Manager and the Director of Visitor Services. The team will work closely and collaboratively with the Gables’ Senior staff, and with all members of the Board of Trustees.
Reporting directly to and working closely with The Gables’ new Executive Director, Anita Blackaby, the Director of Development will oversee and/or manage all aspects of The Gables’ Development Program – which includes individual major gifts; capital campaigns; grant and foundation support; annual fund and special gift appeals; membership; and special events. The Director of Development will help formulate growth strategies for all aspects of giving and set challenging yet achievable fund-raising goals for annual, capital and endowment giving programs. He/she will be actively engaged in the ongoing identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of new prospects and long-term major and planned gift donors.
Responsibilities:
Major Gifts & Campaign
• Oversee all development efforts related to major and planned gifts.
• Work with staff and the Board of Trustees to create solicitation strategies for The Gables’ top tier of donors.
• Develop and manage major gift and planned giving programs.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects; work with the Executive Director and members of the Board of Trustees.
• Cultivate/solicit major gifts individually and accompany others on cultivation and solicitation visits.
• Work with the Executive Director, Development Committee to develop strategy to prepare for Capital & Endowment Campaign (in the next few years).
• Work with the Executive Director, Development Committee, and legal and financial advisors to design, implement, and maintain a formal planned giving program.
Grants & Foundations
• Oversee all development efforts related to grants and foundations.
o Manage grants schedule and solicitation strategy; oversee proposal development and submission.
o Work with Board of Trustees to engage in solicitation strategy.
o Manage reporting activity and maintain relations with prospects.
Annual Giving & Membership
• Oversee all development efforts related to growth of individual annual giving and membership programs.
• Supervise the Membership/Annual Fund Manager.
• Design, implement, monitor and evaluate aggressive direct mail annual appeal programs.
o Plan and implement optimal mailing schedule for annual mailings.
o Supervise acquisition campaigns for new members/donors and monitor quality control.
o Work with staff to maintain quality control in Raiser’s Edge database.
• Meet with and serve as a resource to staff, members of the Board of Trustees and volunteers in promoting and growing a donor-centered giving culture at The Gables.
Cultivation, Stewardship and Special Events
• Oversee the design and implementation of special events related to individual giving and membership.
• Manage stewardship and activities of all gift clubs.
Qualifications:
• An effective development manager, capable of earning the respect and attention of senior staff, curators, administration, and the Board of Trustees, and principal gift donors.
• A generalist with a comprehensive knowledge of major gift fund-raising and a demonstrated ability to solicit major gifts.
• An open and collaborative management style, conducive to effective team-building, fostering team spirit, and motivating staff and volunteers.
• Excellent communications skills both oral and written.
• Demonstrated experience and success with prior capital campaigns.
• Experience and expertise in planned giving.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate major gift and annual fund leadership prospects.
• Adept at developing, motivating, and leading a revitalized development program.
• Creative ability, a positive outlook and a sense of humor.
• A high level of integrity and an extraordinary work ethic.
• Willingness to travel from time to time.
• Experienced in the development field, preferably in a museum, educational or other cultural setting, although individuals with strong leadership skills in a related field or discipline are encouraged to explore this opportunity.
• 6+ years work experience in a development and/or business leadership position required.
• Bachelor of Arts degree required, master’s degree in a related field strongly preferred.
Contact Information:
To apply or nominate candidates, please submit a letter of interest with resume, writing samples and references to:
Cari Palmer
cpalmer@7gables.org
or
The House of The Seven Gables
115 Derby Street
Salem, MA 01970
The House of The Seven Gables Settlement Association
is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Visit: www.7gables.org
