Monterey Museum of Art Seeking Senior Director of Philanthropy — California

Museum fundraising leadership vacancy

The Monterey Museum of Art is seeking a full-time Senior Director of Philanthropy to lead fundraising and advancement at its California institution. Reporting to the Executive Director, the position is designed for someone who can both establish an ambitious donor strategy and personally carry out the work: cultivation, grant proposals, major gift requests and campaign execution. The role is a senior museum management position, not a grant competition or creative residency.

Fundraising strategy and delivery

The director develops the museum's advancement programme, coordinates major gifts, institutional fundraising, corporate partnerships and planned giving, and strengthens relationships with high-net-worth supporters and the Board. The appointment also includes directing campaign schedules, providing donor stewardship, maintaining accurate reporting and supporting the museum's financial sustainability. The employer stresses that fundraising leaders are expected to participate directly in solicitations and events rather than delegate all of the execution.

Team and governance

The director manages the Associate Director of Philanthropy and works with the museum's Executive Director, Board and development colleagues. Organised donor communications, budgets, database records and realistic programme planning are important. The museum seeks a collaborative leader who can build a disciplined culture of fundraising within a lean team.

Experience and practical requirements

The official employer-submitted job listing requires a bachelor's degree, with a master's preferred, and a substantial record of major gifts and complex development campaigns. Applicants should have experience leading an institutional or capital campaign of at least US $25 million, along with strong knowledge of grants, donor relationships and fundraising governance. Familiarity with Blackbaud Altru is requested. The employer also specifies a valid driver's license, a clean driving record and ability to pass a DMV screening.

Compensation and recruiting timetable

The advertised salary is US $145,000–$160,000 annually for a full-time exempt appointment in Monterey, California. The California Arts Council opportunity page shows an expiry date of January 1, 2027; it should not be assumed that this is the final employer application cutoff. Applicants should confirm recruitment status directly. Submit a résumé and cover letter to hr@montereyart.org.

About Monterey Museum of Art

Monterey Museum of Art is a California cultural institution with exhibitions, collection activities and public learning opportunities that connect the Monterey region's artistic heritage with contemporary visual art. The museum works with artists, visitors and donors to support long-term cultural access.

Original recruitment sources

Employer-submitted detailed vacancy and application email: https://arts.ca.gov/collective/monterey-museum-of-art-239-2-senior-director-of-philanthropy/

Museum's official website: https://www.montereyart.org/

External opportunity notice

This article summarises external hiring information and cannot replace the museum's current job announcement. Check work eligibility, precise duties, compensation, required documents, screening conditions and the actual employer deadline before applying. The official recruitment terms take precedence over this edited reference. Reviewed November 11, 2026.