Vice President Of Development

Great River Children’s Museum: Vice President of Development

Position Title: Vice President of Development
Status: Full Time - Exempt (some weekend and evening availability required)
Reports To: CEO
Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 (dependent upon experience)
 

The Building Blocks Of Who We Are

Our Mission

Great River Children’s Museum shines a bright light on the power of play to spark children’s learning, strengthen families, and build community connections. Its dynamic, interactive environments and experiences are a gateway to the world and its people for children and families of all backgrounds. 

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the greater St. Cloud and Central Minnesota communities, we’re passionate about bringing people together through intentional, play-filled experiences that nurture young minds and connect generations.

As a team, we are:

• Caring and respectful
• Creative and curious 
• Committed to integrity and inclusion
• Welcoming to all 
• Fun!

The Opportunity

Our newly opened museum is a place where imagination comes to life — and we’re looking for a visionary Vice President of Development to help ensure our mission thrives for generations to come.

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the VP will build and lead the museum’s fundraising, marketing, and communications strategy, shaping systems, relationships, and a culture of philanthropy from the ground up.

This is an ideal role for a strategic builder and hands-on leader eager to make a lasting impact in a growing community organization.

Position Summary

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Vice President of Development will design, launch, and lead the museum’s comprehensive contributed revenue strategy and oversee marketing, communications, and brand.

This is a unique opportunity for a builder — someone excited to create systems, relationships, and a culture of philanthropy from the ground up. The VP will play a pivotal role in securing the museum’s future sustainability while amplifying its story to the community, donors, and partners.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and Board to set and achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
• Develop and implement a multi-year development plan that includes major gifts, annual giving, grants, sponsorships, planned giving, and events.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects across all giving levels.
• Oversee institutional and government grant writing, reporting, and compliance.
• Integrate development goals into museum-wide planning and budgeting.

Marketing, Communications & Brand

• Lead all outward-facing messaging, storytelling, and digital engagement.
• Develop campaigns to raise visibility, drive visitation, and inspire philanthropy.
• Ensure consistent brand identity and mission alignment across all communications.
• Oversee content creation for web, social media, press releases, newsletters, and collateral.

Systems & Operations

• Build infrastructure for donor management, reporting, and analytics.
• Establish fundraising policies, procedures, and recognition programs.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, and dashboards for contributed revenue performance.

Board & Community Engagement

• Serve as staff liaison to the Board’s Resource Development Committee.
• Train and support board members in fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Represent the museum in the community, strengthening partnerships with donors, businesses, and civic organizations.

Team Leadership

• Hire, mentor, and supervise staff, volunteers, and interns in development and communications.
• Foster a collaborative, creative, and results-oriented team culture.
• Champion professional growth, innovation, and accountability within the team.

Hands-On Execution

• As a startup organization, the VP will balance strategic leadership with hands-on work — writing appeals, managing events, meeting donors, and building systems that will sustain growth for years to come.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising or sales experience, with demonstrated success soliciting four- and five-figure gifts and/or sales, running campaigns, institutional giving, etc. 
• Experience in startup or early-stage nonprofits strongly preferred.
• Proven success in marketing, communications, and brand strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to solicit and close significant gifts and sponsorships.
• Skilled leader with experience managing staff and volunteers.
• Excellent written, verbal, and storytelling skills.
• Strong project management, data analysis, and budgeting experience.
• Proficiency with donor CRMs, digital marketing tools, and communication platforms.
• High ethical standards and respect for donor confidentiality.
• Passion for children, learning, creativity, and community enrichment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $80,000–$90,000, commensurate with experience
• Benefits include:
  
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), with 120 hours provided upfront in your first year
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Professional development support
  • Performance-based incentive structure (to be developed)
  • Opportunities for growth and leadership within a dynamic organization

Working Conditions

• Onsite presence expected 4–5 days per week, with occasional remote flexibility.
• Some evening and weekend hours are required for events and donor engagements.
• Occasional travel for donor meetings, conferences, and professional events.

Join us

If you have a passion for children's education and the mission of Great River Children's Museum, we encourage you to apply!

How to apply

Please visit our website, greatrivercm.org and click on “Get Involved” to find the “Careers” link.

We will accept applications until a diverse and qualified pool of applications has been received and the position is filled. If you have any inquiries about this position, please email Jon Noyes, VP of Operations at jon.noyes@greatrivercm.org.

At Great River Children’s Museum, we believe that diversity is not only a strength but also an essential part of who we are as a community. We are committed to ensuring that every child, caregiver, and community member feels a true sense of belonging within our museum walls.