Since its founding at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) has inspired millions of people — children, teachers, and families — by offering innovative, participatory ways to learn and encouraging people to explore their curiosity and nurture their creativity. Located in Queens, the most ethnically diverse county in the country, NYSCI welcomes 400,000 visitors each year and serves thousands more through outreach in schools, teacher professional development and participation in a variety of public events and research initiatives.

NYSCI is a leader in the science museum field, recognized for its highly regarded exhibitions, programs, and products, all of which are informed by our inclusive, research-derived approach to STEM learning and engagement called Design, Make, Play. The defining characteristics of Design, Make, Play — open-ended exploration, imaginative learning, personal relevance, deep engagement and delight — are the ingredients that invite broad participation in STEM and make engagement and learning irresistible. Through this transformative model for STEM exploration, NYSCI engages diverse communities of learners in STEM, by fostering the excitement of self-directed exploration and by tapping into the joy of learning intrinsic in young people’s play. NYSCI has approximately 87 full-time and over 103 part-time and casual staff members.

The Institutional Advancement team at NYSCI secures funding for educational research and initiatives, exhibits, events and the overall operation of the organization; raising awareness around NYSCI’s work and programmatic objectives. The Institutional Advancement team is currently comprised of eight full-time staff members who raise a total of more than $12 million annually for the organization.

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the VP of Institutional Advancement serves as a key leadership member of the Institutional Advancement team and an active participant in making strategic decisions to support fundraising for NYSCI’s youth, educational and community programs, exhibit development, museum operations, and research on STEM learning. In partnership with the CAO, this position is responsible for strategic fundraising and development activities related to government, foundation, and corporate funders.

The VP will design ambitious, achievable goals and implement a plan to carry out successful institutional fundraising primarily for the museum’s annual programmatic expenses. They will work closely with the CEO and CAO to expand and diversify NYSCI’s institutional donor base/pipeline, and secure funding to support NYSCI’s institutional priorities, including mission-driven programs and investments in the museum.

The VP will directly steward a portfolio of 15-20 donors and manage an institutional fundraising team consisting of a Manager of Institutional Advancement and Senior Manager of Foundation and Corporate Relations, and a Federal Grants consultant; responsible for stewarding the rest of NYSCI’s 60-90 active corporate, foundation, and government donors and building new connections. They will design and implement donor pipeline and moves management plans by identifying, researching, and sequencing potential donors.

1. Help create and build upon a culture of giving at NYSCI.
2. Design, implement and manage a comprehensive and strategic fund development plan focused on expanding and enhancing corporate, foundation and government support for the institution.
3. Manage a portfolio of corporate and foundation partnerships to solicit philanthropic commitments that support NYSCI’s work at the museum, in the community, and around the world. Guide a team of professionals to execute proposal submissions, reporting, donor cultivation and stewardship.
4. Lead the development of compelling, original grant proposals that increase donor awareness of NYSCI’s mission & programs and encourage their engagement and financial support.
5. Seek opportunities to enhance NYSCI’s mission and programs and help position the institution as a leader in the STEM education field.
6. Work closely with the CAO and CEO to steer strategy around shaping fundraising priorities, with a focus on developing 6- and 7-figure asks to help advance the institution’s mission and vision.
7. Work collaboratively with other departments to help shape programmatic goals, activities and budgets to ensure alignment with NYSCI’s mission and to facilitate positive long-term relationships with donors.
8. Help lead a process to build fundraising plans that align with long-term strategic priorities in partnership with the REP division.
9. Maintain a high-quality stewardship process for active corporate, foundation, and government prospects and donors, working closely with program staff to schedule and lead meetings, events and site visits, and ensure the timely delivery of quality reports and evaluations.
10. Work closely with the CAO to provide management and oversight for the full Institutional Advancement team.
11. Provide management and oversight for institutional fundraising staff.
12. Other duties as required.

Management and oversight of programmatic fundraising staff.

Education: BA required; MA preferred

Experience: A minimum of 12 years of foundation/corporate fundraising experience, with an emphasis on grant writing, and experience working within a complex organization.

• Commitment to the philosophy and mission of New York Hall of Science.

• Experience working with teams (within department, cross departmental, and with external partners) with the ability to harness team creativity and translate into effective fundraising.

• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships.

• Superior writing skills and demonstrated ability to develop proposals, reports, and accompanying financial materials. Strong ability to express ideas clearly both in written and oral communications.

• Experience in building a foundation and corporate relations program and proven ability to effectively inspire others.

• Demonstrated ability to identify, cultivate, solicit and close grants from foundations and corporations.

• Sophisticated understanding of the record keeping and stewardship systems to support and grow a successful donor relations program (Raiser’s Edge, MS Excel, Word & PowerPoint, Google Docs & Sheets, etc.).

• Experience fundraising for a science center/natural history museum/children’s museum or STEM education institution is preferred but not required.

Commensurate with education, skills and experience; salary range is $140,000-$150,000.

NYSCI strives to be an inclusive and equitable place to work. We work to foster diverse voices and perspectives, empower staff as problem solvers, and support professional growth for all.

The New York Hall of Science also offers generous benefits and perks for all regular full-time employees. These currently include:

• Health, dental and vision insurance options

• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care and commuter benefits

• Pension plan and 401k plan

• Free life insurance coverage

• Paid vacation and sick leave

• 13 paid holidays off

• Flexible work schedules

• Employee Assistance Program

• Free onsite parking