Job Description

Job Title: Vice President of Advancement & Impact
Department: Advancement
Reports To: President and CEO

Role/Pay Grade: L7 / 9

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (Frost Science) is an anchor institution serving more than 600,000 guests annually, featuring a large aquarium, a world-class planetarium and major science museum located on Biscayne Bay in the heart of downtown Miami. The Vice President of Advancement & Impact will serve as the museum’s chief architect of philanthropic growth, advancing institutional sustainability and transformational fundraising initiatives carrying Frost Science into its next decade of civic and science education leadership. The role will lead an integrated strategy that supports museum operations, mission-driven STEM and conservation programming, and major capital campaigns that deepen the institution’s impact across Miami-Dade and beyond.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• As a member of the museum’s senior leadership team, lead and shape priorities to advance the mission and institutional goals of the museum
• Partner with the President & CEO and Board of Trustees to shape donor strategy and co-lead campaigns, enabling Board fundraising influence through clear vision, planning, and portfolio coordination
• Architect and execute an integrated contributed revenue ecosystem, aligning fundraising strategy with institutional priorities and long-term sustainability
• Lead the development of a comprehensive donor pipeline, including prospect strategy, stewardship plans, retention, segmentation, pipeline health, and CRM fluency
• Maintain a dynamic portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, securing major, capital, and planned gifts, as well as annual and operational support
• Work with the President & CEO to develop and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors in support of institutional and campaign goals
• Work with the President & CEO to create an annual budget for contributions, including individual giving, foundation support and governmental grants, and execute on that annual budget
• Develop and lead relationships with community partners, deepening Frost Science’s philanthropic presence across Miami-Dade’s civic, corporate, and foundation communities
• Oversee the Membership team and strategy, maintaining and growing membership through onsite sales, acquisition campaigns, and renewals as a core driver of community engagement and pipeline development
• Along with the SVP of Finance & Administration, ensure that fundraising policies, processes, and reporting are consistent with the overall financial policy of the museum
• Shape grant strategy supporting STEM and conservation activities, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and mission outcomes
• Develop and maintain mastery of museum programs, exhibitions, and scientific initiatives, translating institutional impact into compelling donor narratives
• Lead the creation of collateral for fundraising initiatives in partnership with the museum’s marketing team
• Attend museum receptions and events and represent the museum externally, including evening and weekend commitments as necessary
• Develop and adhere to the annual budget for the Advancement Department

JOB QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION

• A minimum of 15 years of experience in fundraising, including leadership of major and transformational gifts, as well as capital campaigns
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree or relevant nonprofit or fundraising certification preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience
• Demonstrated experience with prospect research, donor management, and CRM systems, including data-informed portfolio management and reporting
• Proven experience serving on a nonprofit senior leadership team, including regular engagement with high-level donors, trustees, and volunteer leaders
• Demonstrated organizational, people leadership, and executive-level management capabilities, including experience leading and developing high-performing teams
• Proven achievement across advancement functions, including major and principal gifts, capital and comprehensive campaigns, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, grants, planned giving, special events, and in-kind contributions
• Experience creating and executing comprehensive development strategies across multiple revenue channels
• Experience creating and managing membership programs as part of an integrated engagement and fundraising model
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to present compelling narratives to donors, boards, and public audiences
• Experience building and strengthening relationships within complex philanthropic communities in large metropolitan or civic markets, such as Miami
• Strong motivational and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate organizational mission and impact to a wide variety of constituencies

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is typically performed in an interior office environment, using light physical effort. Irregular hours, travel and attendance at evening and weekend events is expected. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Background clearance
• Drug screening as part of the Drug-Free Workplace Program