California

Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles (ICA LA) 
Director of Development 

Reports to: Executive Director 
Supervises: Advancement staff 
Status: Full-time / Exempt 
Salary Range: $100,000 – $130,000, commensurate with experience 
Benefits: Healthcare (including vision and dental), vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays, 
following a probation period 

To apply: Please send a cover letter, CV, with at least two professional references, and writing samples to opportunities@theicala.org, including the name of the position in the subject line.

Please no calls or in-person unscheduled visits.

Overview 
The Director of Development is responsible for planning, developing, directing, and 
executing a comprehensive and successful fundraising program for the museum, consistent 
with ICA LA’s mission, vision, and goals. This position reports directly to the Executive 
Director. 
 
As a key member of the senior staff, the Director of Development will provide active, 
collaborative leadership in conceiving and articulating fundraising strategies, programs, and goals to raise the museum’s annual operating budget, as well as supporting fundraising aspects of ICA LA’s capital campaign to advance the museum’s long-term strategic priorities.  The Director of Development will integrate advancement efforts with all museum functions, including exhibition and education programming, financial administration, membership programs, and communications. Key priorities are expanding ICA LA’s donor base—with a particular focus on direct cultivation and solicitation of individual donors, identifying and cultivating the next generation of major donors; expanding support through institutional and corporate giving; and increasing brand recognition and revenue goals for the museum’s benefit events. The Director of Development also oversees ICA LA’s giving councils—Fieldwork Council and Curator’s Council—and its membership program. 
 
The Director of Development manages and motivates a team of development staff who are 
responsible for individual giving, institutional giving, corporate sponsorship, fundraising 
events, membership, and database management. The ideal candidate for this job will be an 
accomplished fundraiser and leader who is passionate about contemporary art; deeply 
knowledgeable about the philanthropic communities in Los Angeles, and beyond, and major foundations that support art and culture; and skilled at making a strong case for both 
restricted and unrestricted support. 
 
Primary Responsibilities 
Leadership & Strategy 
Develop and implement short- and long-term fundraising strategies to meet annual advancement and membership income goals. Plan, establish, and maintain forecasts of annual contributed income goals for individuals, trustees, foundations, corporations, government agencies, and support councils. Develop earned income forecasts for membership, retail, including the artist edition program, and travel programs. 

Oversee development operations, including donor database strategy, prospect management, fundraising reporting, portfolio management, and systems that support data integrity and organizational decision-making. 
Determine and manage Advancement department budget, and work with ED to determine and track annual budget revenue goals. 

Provide timely and accurate reporting of financial activity in collaboration with the ED and Finance Manager. Regularly report on financial status by creating revenue and expenses tracking and summary scorecards to share with Board and staff. Keep ED and senior staff informed as to the status of various fundraising programs. 

Oversee the development and execution of ICA LA’s annual report. 
 
 
Department Management 
Actively and effectively lead and manage the Advancement team staff members, consultants, and vendors hired for special events. 

Oversee and track annual operating budget revenue with ED and project/event budgets, and expense and income reporting for Advancement Department. 
 
Fundraising – Individual, Institutional, and Campaign 
Identify, cultivate, and solicit individual prospects for all levels of giving, with an emphasis on contributions of $10,000-$25,000, or more. Assist the ED and Board members in the solicitation of major contributions and pursue major gifts, as appropriate. 

Cultivate existing and potential future donor relationships. Effectively represent ICA LA in numerous external affairs and serve as a spokesperson for the museum. 

Actively cooperate with ED, senior staff, and other departments to identify new prospects and strategies for soliciting funds. 
In partnership with ED, lead institutional fundraising strategy, including foundation, corporate, and government funding proposals.  Review and edit grant proposals, reports, budgets, and donor communications. Collaborate across departments and manage grants writer (whether staff member or outside consultant) in maintaining grants schedule for applications and reports to ensure all deadlines are met. Oversee stewardship of institutional partners. 

Led by Executive Director, participate actively in Capital Campaign fundraising, with guidance from Campaign consultant. Support ED on all campaign initiatives, including the purchase of ICA LA’s building, renovations to our facility, future endowment, and support for a variety of programmatic priorities. 

Work closely with the ED and Curatorial Department to strategize about effectively securing exhibition support and growing and managing donor programs. 

Collaborate with communications department on the content and design of fundraising and reporting decks, for printed and digital materials, such as corporate sponsorship decks for events, impact reports, and “year ahead” decks. 
 
Board Relations 
Partner with the Executive Director and Board leadership to support Board engagement, fundraising strategy, and regular reporting on advancement performance. 

Attend quarterly Board of Directors meetings and give reports on fundraising and expenses to date in the fiscal year as well as major fundraising events, accomplishments, and future plans for fundraising initiatives.  

Lead Board Development Committee in collaboration with Board Committee Chair. 

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Board members and donor community under leadership of the ED. 
 
Special Initiatives – Events, Travel, Earned Income 
Provide strategic leadership for fundraising events, including sponsorship strategy, revenue planning, donor cultivation, event experience, and stewardship. Collaborate with freelance event producer on largescale events such as annual Spring Benefit and biennial INCOGNITO benefit art sale. Lead development staff to execute ticket sales, tracking, and processing all aspects of donor experiences at special events. 

Develop and oversee ICA LA’s patron travel program as an earned revenue initiative and donor cultivation strategy, including destination planning, budgeting, logistics, and donor engagement, alongside ED and programming staff. 
Collaborate with ED and retail operations team to continually develop ICA LA’s retail presence. 

Collaborate with ED and curatorial team to oversee the development of annual artist editions. 
 
External Representation 
Serve as a primary ambassador for ICA LA within the philanthropic, cultural, and civic communities while cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors and institutional partners. 

Continue professional growth and development through participation in community organizations and philanthropic associations. 
 
Job Requirements / Qualifications 
At least five years of experience fundraising for a major non-profit organization, preferably in the arts, or comparable career experience. 

Extensive knowledge of fundraising principles and strategies that span individual and institutional giving, capital and endowment campaigns, membership, and special benefit events, with demonstrated success in strategic and long-range planning. 

Excellent leadership, management, and administrative skills, including a successful track record managing an advancement team and inspiring steady and successful performance and growth.

Proven success in building enduring relationships; personal experience in the formation, presentation, and negotiation of high-level gift arrangements, including a track record of involvement in significant individual and institutional gifts from foundations, corporations, and governmental bodies.

Strong familiarity with the philanthropic and arts communities.

Experience working with non-profit boards, committees, and donors.

Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Board of Directors, senior management, staff, support organizations, patrons, and the public.

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to effectively and professionally represent ICA LA to Board members, donors (current and potential), foundation heads, and other external organizations.

Demonstrated skill in communicating professionally and effectively with all levels of staff to respond to needs, determine priorities, and manage expectations.

Must be able to speak in public forums effectively and persuasively; write effective communications with impeccable grammar; and exercise political savvy and confidentiality, as needed, in dealings with a wide variety of diverse constituencies, both internally and externally.

Ability to delegate combined with willingness to work in a “hands on” manner as part of a small team. 
Strong analytical skills; strong understanding of budgets and finance, including restricted and unrestricted funds. Proven fluency in budget preparation, management, and reporting.

Background and passion for contemporary art, museums, culture, and social change. 
Actively participate in the cultural communities and activities of Los Angeles, and beyond. Represent the museum at events, meetings, conferences, and various professional engagements.

 

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, donor CRM systems, and project management software. Experience with Bloomerang, Slack, and Asana preferred. Prior experience using and managing a donor database. Knowledge of Bloomerang CRM is a plus. 
Ability and willingness to attend events, meetings, and other ICA LA business after hours and on weekends. 
Possession of or access to reliable transportation during working hours. 
 
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position in as much detail as possible. They may not describe all functions of the position. Employees may be assigned other duties, as needed, by the ED, and the essential functions of the position may change or be changed as necessary. 
 
EEO Statement 
ICA LA is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive 
consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, 
disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law. 
 
About ICA LA 
The Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA) is an epicenter of artistic 
experimentation and incubator of new ideas. Founded in 1984 as the Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMoA) and reestablished in 2017 with a new identity and home in Downtown Los Angeles, ICA LA builds upon a distinguished history of bold curatorial vision and innovative programming to illuminate the important untold stories and emerging voices in contemporary art and culture. The museum’s 12,700 square-foot renovated industrial building—designed by wHY Architecture under the leadership of Kulapat Yantrasast—features ample space for exhibitions, public programs, retail pop-ups, integrated offices, and special projects. 
 
ICA LA’s mission is to support art that sparks the pleasure of discovery and challenges the 
way we see and experience the world, ourselves, and each other. ICA LA is committed to 
upending hierarchies of race, class, gender, and culture. Through exhibitions, education 
programs, and community partnerships, ICA LA fosters critique of the familiar and empathy 
with the different. 
 
ICA LA is committed to making contemporary art relevant and accessible for all. Admission is free.