Senior Director, Advancement Events

About the Organization

The American Museum of Natural History founded in 1869 with a dual mission of scientific research and science education is one of the worlds preeminent scientific educational and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses more than 40 permanent exhibition halls galleries for temporary exhibitions the Rose Center for Earth and Space including the Hayden Planetarium and the Richard Gilder Center for Science Education and Innovation. The Museums scientists draw on a world-class permanent collection of more than 30 million specimens and objects some of which are billions of years old and on one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School the Museum offers two of the only free-standing degree-granting programs of their kind at any museum in the U.S.: the Ph.D. program in Comparative Biology and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Earth Science residency program. Visit for more information.

Position Overview

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) seeks a visionary strategic and highly accomplished Senior Director Advancement Events to lead a sophisticated portfolio of fundraising and donor engagement events that are central to the Museums philanthropic success brand visibility and relationship building strategies.

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer the Senior Director will oversee the fundraising strategy production creative direction and flawless execution of the Museums four major annual benefit events collectively generating more than $5M in gross revenue as well as exhibition openings Trustee engagement programs cultivation/stewardship events and high-profile VIP experiences.

This leader will be responsible for modernizing and elevating AMNHs longstanding events portfolio introducing fresh and contemporary approaches while honoring the Museums refined polished and worldclass aesthetic with a focus on maximizing revenue. The Senior Director is a key ambassador for AMNHs mission serving as a strategic partner across Advancement Museum leadership Trustees internal colleagues and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Strategic Vision

• Develop and implement a comprehensive multiyear strategy to elevate modernize and diversify AMNHs fundraising and engagement events portfolio.
• Set annual revenue participation and partnership goals aligned with broader Advancement priorities.
• Establish best-in-class standards for donor experience event production campaign integration storytelling and brand representation.
• Bring forward new event concepts and engagement opportunities to grow revenue enhance impact and expand audiences.

Fundraising Strategy & Event Leadership

• Lead all aspects of AMNHs four current major signature benefit events including strategy revenue generation fundraising pipeline development operations (working in partnership with an in-house event planning team) messaging and execution; evaluate potential for an additional signature benefit event.
• Drive revenue growth through table and ticket sales sponsorships individual support digital engagement special appeals and bespoke donor offerings working collaboratively with colleagues across Advancement and Corporate Relations.
• Ensure all events serve as powerful tools for major donor cultivation corporate partnership development stewardship pipeline building and increased philanthropic investment.
• Oversee exhibition openings donor receptions Trustee engagement programs and VIP donor visits tailored to curated high-level audiences.
• Maintain a deep understanding of NYCs philanthropic landscape competitive events environment trends in benefit fundraising and donor expectations.

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead mentor and inspire a seasoned team of fundraising event professionals ensuring a collaborative creative supportive and high-performing culture.
• Set clear goals performance standards and professional development pathways.
• Oversee team structure resource allocation and staffing needs including vendor partners.
• Model AMNHs values of collaboration integrity and excellence.

Cross-Functional & Executive CollaborationFunctional & Executive Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with internal fundraising teams including Major Gifts Principal Gifts Individual Giving Corporate Relations Membership Planned Giving Foundation Relations and Donor Relations including by serving as an informal advisor on other event programming.
• Partner with the Presidents Office Communications and Marketing Operations Finance programmatic colleagues in Science and Learning and Public Engagement and other internal Museum departments to ensure alignment and seamless execution.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Museum leadership and Trustees.
• Present strategies outcomes and recommendations to senior leadership and Board committees as appropriate.

Operational Excellence & Event Production

• Ensure exceptional standards for event production hospitality and onsite guest experience consistent with AMNHs stature as a world class cultural institution.
• Oversee event budgets financial modeling forecasting and expense management to achieve strategic revenue and ROI goals.
• Manage all vendor relationships including production partners caterers creative agencies entertainment technical services and security.
• Strengthen systems workflows documentation and project management tools to create efficiency and operational clarity across the portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies fundraising regulations insurance requirements and safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in relevant field required.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible experience producing directing and managing high-impact fundraising events in a complex nonprofit cultural or mission-driven institution.
• At least 6 years of leadership experience including team management hiring and professional development.
• Demonstrated expertise in event-based fundraising including sponsorship acquisition donor engagement prospect strategy and Board/Honoree management.
• Proven success generating multi-million-dollar revenue through large-scale benefit events and strategic donor programs.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing high-value budgets revenue forecasting and ROI analysis.
• Deep familiarity with New York Citys philanthropic community cultural fundraising landscape and event production standards.
• Exceptional judgment diplomacy discretion communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and fundraising databases; experience with CRM systems such as Raisers Edge Salesforce or similar a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary in the range of $00. Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors including but not limited to skills knowledge training education credentials areas of specialization and depth and scope of experience.
• AMNH offers an extensive benefits package including Medical Dental and Life Insurance Retirement Plans and PTO. Learn more at .

Orr Group

AMNH has retained the Orr Group to conduct this search. Please direct all inquiries and interest to the Orr Group search team.

Jesse Bryan

Vice President

Orr Group