Director of External Affairs

The Ackland Art Museum is both the best college or university art museum in North Carolina and a very complex organization. With nearly 30 employees, dozens of volunteers, and a budget of approximately $4M per year, the Ackland maintains a collection of over 19,000 works of art. It produces four big exhibitions and many smaller installations annually.

The museum receives nearly 60,000 visitors, always free of charge, who come from all 100 North Carolina counties, across the nation, and internationally each year. The Ackland serves UNC students, faculty, and the public through its special exhibitions, programs, and activities based on its permanent collection. The staff of the Ackland works with approximately 150 faculty and graduate instructors each year to provide opportunities for them to meet their teaching and research goals by bringing their classes to the museum (approximately 10,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students). The Ackland provides approximately 30 internships annually for both graduate and undergraduate students. It welcomes and trains a corps of 40 docents to work with K-12 schools and the public.

The director of external affairs is charged with directing the Museum's advancement team, and also with overseeing staff in communications and public programming. The University is in the early stages of a multi-year comprehensive campaign, and the incumbent will be responsible for planning and leadership of the Ackland's campaign. The specific areas of oversight are: (1) identification, cultivation, solicitation, closure, and recognition of major and principal gifts, including endowment and planned giving; (2) annual giving to support the Museum's operating budget, including membership program, annual fund, grants; (3) communications, public relations and public programs; and (4) grants development. Under the guidance of the museum director and in collaboration with the external affairs team, executive director of development for constituent programs, and museum volunteer leadership, the director of external affairs will design and implement comprehensive strategies for support of the operating budget and endowments. The incumbent will also share responsibility for ensuring coordination with cross-University fundraising in the arts. This position reports to the Director.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent) with three years or greater of related professional experience; for candidates demonstrating comparable professional backgrounds, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and five years or greater of relevant experience in substitution.

-Ability and willingness to travel extensively, as needed to accomplish goals.

-Accomplished professional with demonstrated administrative and managerial experience.

-Ability to articulate the museum's mission, vision, and role to a wide range of audiences both verbally and in writing.

-Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal skills; being detail-oriented with excellent organizational and computer skills.

-Ability to meet multiple deadlines, to work independently, meet high goals, and interact effectively with alumni, friends, faculty and staff in a public research university.

-Experience in major gift fundraising, donor relations, project management, and communications is essential, preferably in a cultural environment or in higher education.

-Thorough knowledge of and sensitivity to the nature and purpose of university museums and public higher education and the role that donor relations and strategic communications play in it.

-Knowledge about areas of the arts, art history and museum fundraising is required as is a proven track record of success in fundraising, marketing, and communications.

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-Experience creating and implementing a development plan and campaign plan and working with and inspiring the confidence of multiple constituencies, including volunteers, top-level donors and prospects, and administrative officials is critical.

Not Applicable.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu
Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.