Director of Foundation and Government Affairs

Position Objective

The Director of Foundation and Government Affairs is a creative leader responsible for stewarding and growing a pipeline of current and prospective institutional donors—foundations, government agencies, and diplomatic partners—to position The Phillips Collection for long-term sustainability as it begins its second century.

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the incumbent will generate $2M+ in revenue annually, with progressive growth in subsequent years in alignment with the ambitious goals of the Strategic Plan. Funds raised will support general operations; special exhibitions; digital initiatives; education and community engagement programs; diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI) initiatives; capital needs; and special events. The Director of Foundation and Government Affairs is responsible for overseeing the Grants Manager, collaborating with the Operations team, and serving as a leader within the Advancement Department and collaborates cross-departmentally to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward institutional donors in an effort to align museum priorities.

The Phillips Collection Advancement Department is in an exciting time of transition, following a highly successful Centennial Campaign, the arrival of a new leadership (a new Museum Director and CEO in March 2023 and Chief Advancement Officer in October 2023), and record-breaking successes across the museum in FY24. A new strategic plan was approved in June 2024 to shape the near-term future and priorities of the museum.

This position will work with the Advancement Department to cultivate an increasingly diverse pipeline of prospective donors, evaluating and enhancing all aspects of annual fundraising to support the museum’s commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI).

Essential Functions

Portfolio and Prospect Management

• Direct institutional giving program, supervising the Grants Manager to secure and steward support from foundations, government agencies, and diplomatic partners.
• Maintain an active donor portfolio and advance relations with leaders from foundations, government agencies, and embassies.
• Lead the institutional giving team in developing and implementing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies customized for institutional donors.
• Collaborate with museum leadership and trustees in peer-to-peer fundraising efforts.
• Direct the grants program by collaborating with the Grants Manager to oversee the preparation and submission of compelling, accurate grant proposals and grant stewardship reports.
• Lead the museum’s involvement with local and federal government agencies, including advocating for the arts, preparing and/or giving public testimony with relevant colleagues, coordinating with political consultants, meeting with government officials, and securing Congressional honorees for special events.
• Forge excellent working relationships with staff across the institution to gain an understanding of the museum’s priorities, programs, and initiatives; engage staff in proposal development, meetings, and events as appropriate.
• Participate in Trustee committee meetings, including the Advancement Committee, to ensure alignment and follow-through on pipeline development.

General Management

• Prepare annual projections for foundation, government, and diplomatic agency revenue and expenses; collaborate with the Finance department on quarterly reconciliations.
• Track and report on the status of institutional giving revenue and affairs to the Chief Advancement Officer, museum leadership, and trustees.
• Analyze budgets vs. actuals for grant-funded activities in collaboration with the Grants Manager.
• Supervise list coordination, record-keeping, communications, and follow-up for foundation, government, and corporate contacts in the customer relationship management (CRM) database, Altru, with support from the central Advancement Operations team.
• Contribute institutional giving highlights to collateral materials (e.g., Member Magazine, Annual Report, e-communications, museum website).
• Stay apprised of institutional funding trends in the arts and philanthropy, both locally and nationally.
• Collaborate with Advancement leadership to continue innovating and improving fundraising initiatives, generate new ideas, and streamline operations.
• Participate in Advancement Department meetings as a leader within the department.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of Advancement experience in a not-for-profit environment, preferably in the arts and culture sector, including proven success in the solicitation and securing of foundation and government agency support at the six-figure level and above.
• Bachelor’s degree in arts management or related field.
• Budgeting acumen.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to create and execute a plan with measurable objectives.
• Collaborative, positive team player with a high degree of personal initiative and accountability.
• Superlative written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic, creative, curious, and organized thinker, skilled at managing multiple competing priorities.
• Knowledge of and passion for the arts, and especially the visual arts, strongly preferred.
• Experience with leading, managing, and mentoring direct report employees, as well as interfacing with Trustees and VIP constituents.
• Strong understanding of the fundraising landscape of the Washington Metropolitan area preferred, alongside a strong understanding of nationally leading foundations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, handle sensitive material, and maintain confidentiality.
• Experience with sophisticated CRM essential, and Blackbaud/Altru databases preferred.
• Experience with endowment and capital campaign fundraising—and strategic plan implementation—a plus.

Other

• Hybrid work schedule and flex hours permitted.
• Some evening work required.
• The Phillips Collection is an equal opportunity employer and administers all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, veteran status, personal appearance, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
• Employment at The Phillips Collection is at-will. At-will means that you may terminate your employment at any time for any reason with or without notice and that The Phillips Collection may terminate your employment at any time for any reason.

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