Development Director

Job Title: Development Director
Location: Zanesville, OH
Position Type: Full-time, salaried, in-office
Salary: $65,000 – $75,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications
Benefits: Full benefits eligible

To apply for this position, please email your resume and cover letter to zmasearch@cramerfundraising.com. 

Organization Overview
Founded in 1936 and home to a permanent collection of 9,000+ works of art spanning 5,000 years, the Zanesville Museum of Art (ZMA) is a vital cultural institution in Zanesville and Appalachian Ohio. Welcoming 12,000 visitors annually, the museum features six permanent exhibitions, four rotating exhibitions, and more than 170 free and low-cost programs for all ages each year.

Mission
The Zanesville Museum of Art ignites human imagination and understanding through the visual arts by leveraging its collections, exhibitions, facilities, and public programs to enrich the cultural life of its community and preserve its heritage.

The ZMA’s Transformational Opportunity
The ZMA is embarking on a master plan to guide the museum’s growth and operations for the next 15-20 years, positioning the museum as a nationally recognized regional museum specializing in American art pottery. As the organization prepares for a future-focused master plan, it seeks a strategic, relationship-driven Development Director to strengthen its development program and expand community engagement.

Position Summary
The Development Director is a key leader in advancing the Zanesville Museum of Art’s mission and expanding its fundraising capacity during an exciting period of growth. Reporting to the Executive Director and managing a Development Coordinator/Membership Manager and Marketing Coordinator, the Development Director is responsible for planning, executing, and strengthening all aspects of the museum’s development program. The Development Director also leads the ZMA’s marketing and communication efforts to enhance the museum’s visibility. By cultivating meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, and partners, this role drives philanthropic support, elevates the ZMA’s public presence, and positions the museum for long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

Annual Development & Donor Stewardship

• Lead and oversee all aspects of the ZMA’s development program, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.

• Cultivate and steward relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, and major donors through strategic outreach, solicitation, and recognition.

• Implement and manage the museum’s annual development plan in collaboration with external consulting advisors.

• Track and analyze fundraising performance, providing timely reports and insights to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders.

• Manage the donor database (CRM), ensuring accurate gift processing, acknowledgment, and data integrity.

• Oversee the planning and execution for all fundraising initiatives, donor communications, and stewardship events.

Campaign & Master Plan Support

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to advance the ZMA’s master plan and capital campaign initiatives.

• Partner with the Executive Director to drive donor engagement strategies, ensuring alignment with campaign goals and fostering meaningful participation from prospects and stakeholders.

Marketing & Communications

• Lead the ZMA’s marketing and public relations efforts to elevate the museum’s visibility and reputation. This includes both museum marketing, as well as philanthropic/donor marketing and communications.

• Manage the Marketing Coordinator to ensure execution of integrated marketing, digital, and community engagement campaigns.

• Serve as a key spokesperson for the ZMA in donor-facing settings, public events, and media opportunities.

Grant Management (Outsourced)

• Oversee external grant-writing consultants to ensure timely, high-quality proposals and reports.

• Align grant strategy with institutional priorities and campaign goals, coordinating with staff and consultants to meet all deadlines.

Staff Management & Collaboration

• Supervise and support the Development Coordinator/Membership Manager and Marketing Coordinator, fostering professional growth and high performance.

• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and volunteer leadership to drive fundraising and stewardship efforts.

Additional Responsibilities

• Promote a culture of accountability, creativity, and collaboration across the development and marketing functions.

• Monitor trends in philanthropy, nonprofit management, and museum engagement to inform and enhance the ZMA’s strategies.

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the museum’s mission and strategic goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE certification preferred.

• 5–7+ years of experience in nonprofit development; arts, culture, or museum fundraising experience strongly preferred.

• Residency in Muskingum County, Ohio, or willingness to relocate required; residency in Zanesville preferred. Relocation assistance is available.

• Full-time, on-site role required. 

• Demonstrated success in relationship-based fundraising, including cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors.

• Experience leading a comprehensive development program and collaborating effectively with Boards of Directors and high-capacity donors.

• Experience with nonprofit master planning and/or capital campaigns preferred.

• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and public speaking skills.

• Proven ability to build and manage strategic partnerships to advance organizational goals.

• Proficiency in donor database management (CRM experience preferred) and fundraising reporting.

Personal Qualities

• Entrepreneurial and proactive, with the ability to design, implement, and evaluate successful development strategies.

• Confident public presence with excellent presentation and media engagement skills.

• Collaborative team player with strong leadership ability and a passion for arts, culture, and community engagement.

• Highly organized, self-motivated, and results-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

Travel Expectations

• Occasional travel outside Ohio for donor meetings, cultivation, and campaign-related activities.

Employee Benefits
The Zanesville Museum of Art offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees. Highlights include:

• Fully paid health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Annual employer contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA).

• Generous paid time off, including paid holidays.

• Retirement plan with employer match to help you plan for the future.

• Life insurance coverage and short-term disability provided by the employer. 

• Eligibility for a 403(b)-retirement match program up to 3% after the first six months of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The Zanesville Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive environment that welcomes and values diversity. This includes our staff, board of directors, volunteers, and visitors. As an organization we recognize the importance of attracting and retaining talented people of different backgrounds.

Application Instructions
To apply for the position, please email your resume and cover letter to zmasearch@cramerfundraising.com.

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