Special Events & Membership Manager

We are a community-centered, membership-based, nonprofit collecting art museum with a mission to promote the arts and perpetuate the artistic and altruistic legacy of Florida’s famed painter laureate, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990). Florida-born and legendary throughout his life for his iconic landscape paintings, he is also remembered for nurturing new and emerging artists, and renowned for his humanitarian principles to “pay it forward” for countless individuals in his lifetime. Our mission is inclusive of the art and artists who later became known as The Highwaymen, whose journey began with Backus’s active encouragement, and who blazed their own indelible and celebrated trail. More than half of the visual artists inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame trace their paths to Backus’s open studio door. We seek to preserve and share this creative heart of Florida that continues to inspire today.

Since 1960, we have enjoyed 61 seasons of fun and successful signature event-based fundraising and are grateful for the support of 400+ loyal members and a dedicated volunteer program. We emerged from the pandemic with hard-won stability and recognize it is time to foster our growth in a deliberate and transformative manner. With a newly-adopted Development Plan to chart our course, we are seeking a full-time development professional to help grow and develop a robust fundraising program that will pave the way for our future.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Special Events & Membership Manager is a newly-created, full-time development position that works with staff and volunteer leadership to manage and support our on- and off-site event-based fundraising activities; and manages the information and relationships of the Backus Museum’s members, donors, sponsors. The Special Events & Membership Manager will serve the needs of our constituents, meeting strategic goals while enhancing and growing our successes.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversees all Event-based fundraising activities, including but not limited to major signature events (4/year), Sponsor and Donor events (currently 2+ yearly), and members opening exhibition receptions (5 yearly) to achieve annual budget goals
2. Administers the Museum’s Membership program for growth in member engagement, recruitment, and retention
3. Coordinates with Board committees to collaboratively plan and implement strategies supporting event and membership fundraising goals

KEY ACTIVITIES

Special Events
• Develop and implement the annual plan for the financial success of event-based fundraising activities
• Coordinate event budgets, logistics, and publicity (including public relations, advertising and collateral material design, production and distribution)
• Work cooperatively with Event Committees in the research and solicitation of new and existing donors to support events; provide staff support and leadership to event chairs to help secure sponsors
• Organize, set up and maintain records for raffle ticket sales as part of the annual Florida Art Raffle event (in coordination with Visitor Services and accountant); promote and help in the sale of raffle tickets
• Manage auction sales information and POS/check-out at designated event-based fundraisers

Membership
• Develop and implement the annual plan for membership recruitment, retention, and conversion goals
• Manage and maintain constituent records, relationships, gifts, funds, and campaigns, including processing all new and annually renewing members in the Bloomerang CRM
• Prepare mailings for all constituent communications, including invitations for membership and special events; annual appeal, capital, and other periodic fundraising campaigns; and volunteer mailings
• Prepare regular reporting of membership activity and analysis as requested; periodic reporting and evaluating of all event-based fundraising activities

General Activities
• Act as staff liaison for Board’s Membership Committee / Event Committees and the Board of Associates (volunteer auxiliary), working cooperatively with them to produce and insure that events are financially successful
• Organize and manages all fundraising- and membership-event check-ins with volunteers for a smooth, efficient, and pleasant guest-focused experience
• Work at all membership and special events as directed including preparation, set-up, event execution and break-down
• Cultivate and steward relationships and inspire all constituents to increase engagement
• Protect organization’s value by following the Donor’s Bill of Rights, keeping donor information confidential
• Exercise confidentiality, discretion, and judgment in the performance of complex administrative duties
• Assist the Executive Director in other fundraising programs or grants as necessary
• General office administration, including periodic telephone and mail duty, with other duties as assigned

The Special Events & Membership Manager and their work represents the Museum in a visible and public manner, and incorporates regular and important contact with and communications to members, donors, sponsors, board members, artists, volunteers and other key constituents and stakeholders. Therefore it is critical that all tasks, activities, and projects be accomplished with care, accuracy, and discretion to positively reflect on the Museum and the high regard we have for these important audiences.

The Special Events & Membership Manager will be detail-oriented individual, who exercises responsive customer service skills. The candidate will excel in effective collaborative habits with volunteers and staff resulting in shared victories and institutional success.

The Special Events & Membership Manager position is classified exempt, and typically observes a weekday, in-person schedule with some remote flexibility. All museum staff positions may call for intermittent evening and weekend work availability to support special events. Salary range $50,000 – $65,000 based on required experience.

Functional Relationships:

Reports to the Executive Director. Works closely with the Executive Director, Visitor Services staff, Hospitality Coordinator, (as well as other staff in a small institution), Board members, volunteers; members, donors, and the public.

Qualifications:

BA or BS preferred, with 1-3 years’ relevant development experience in museums, nonprofits, or membership organizations; professional practice in managing and staging fundraising events with a track record of financial success; skill in working with a CRM / donor management software; knowledge of Microsoft and Google office programs (especially MS Office and Google Workspace); social media marketing experience for organizations a plus; excellent time/task management and organizational skills, customer service and interpersonal skills, ability to work with others in a fast-paced environment.

Physical requirements are those in an office environment. Must be able to maneuver and carry up to 25 pounds.

The A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery is an equal opportunity employer and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.

Application Process: Applicants should submit electronically a letter of interest, three professional references, and supporting documents addressing the qualifications and responsibilities specified to J. Marshall Adams, Executive Director, at hiring@BackusMuseum.orghiring@BackusMuseum.org. Please include “Special Events and Membership Manager” in the email subject line. No phone calls, please.