Jobs & Internships

POSITION SUMMARY

The Development Manager, Fundraising and Events is a dynamic, relationship-driven role at the
heart of the Heckscher Museum’s community. This position is responsible for growing and retaining
our donor database, cultivating meaningful relationships with donors and patrons, producing a
vibrant calendar of programs and events that bring our mission to life – including the Museum’s
annual fundraising event — our signature revenue-generating gala.

The ideal candidate shares our passion for art and community and is both a genuine relationship
builder and a skilled event producer — equally comfortable managing a complex event timeline as
they are hosting an exhibition opening or stewarding a major donor. The Donor Relations & Events
Manager is part of a team of five; they will report directly to the Director of Development and
oversee the Assistant Manager of Development and a part-time database administrator. This
position is a meaningful opportunity to play a central role in sustaining and growing a beloved Long
Island cultural institution.

First-Quarter Priorities: Annual Fundraising Gala

Upon joining the Heckscher Museum, this role’s primary focus will be taking full ownership
of our annual fundraising event which takes place in October and supporting efforts for the
centennial celebration of George Grosz’s Eclipse of the Sun. The successful candidate will
be expected to quickly learn the event’s history, relationships, and logistics, to lead its
planning and execution as a top organizational priority. All other responsibilities will be
phased in as capacity allows following the event cycle.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Donor & Patron Relations:

• Build and steward relationships with individual donors and members at leadership giving
  levels, helping to raise approximately $1.5 million from individuals, corporations, and family
  foundations through solicitations, direct asks, and special events.
• Develop and implement strategies to acquire new members and donors and move them
  through the donor pipeline.
• Manage the full membership lifecycle — outreach, onboarding, renewal campaigns, and
  lapsed-member reactivation. Identify major donor prospects for further research and
  solicitation.
• Delegate and coordinate membership communications, annual appeals, benefit solicitations,
  major donor asks, special appeals, and renewals, acknowledgements, and mailings with
  Assistant Manager of Development (a direct report to this position).
• Track and analyze giving data to identify trends, set benchmarks and report on KPIs.
• Collaborate with marketing to develop compelling membership collateral, email campaigns,
  and social content.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for member and donor inquiries, ensuring a consistently
  warm and responsive experience that reflects the Museum’s welcoming spirit.
• Manage the Assistant Manager of Development, ensuring accurate and timely gift processing,
  record keeping and acknowledgments. Oversee and maintain accurate and up-to-date
  records in the CRM/donor database (e.g., Sales Force, Raiser’s Edge, or similar).
• Assist the Executive/Development Director in identifying prospects and preparing for
  cultivation conversations.

Annual Fundraising Gala:

Serve as the lead manager for the Heckscher Museum’s flagship annual fundraising event,
scheduled for October 2026. Responsible for all aspects of planning, execution, and follow-through
from concept through post-event stewardship.

• Work closely with the Director of Development, Event Committee, and board members to set
  and pursue revenue goals to raise $375,000-$400,000 through ticket sales, sponsorships,
  and live/silent auctions.
• Own the full event production timeline, including venue coordination, catering, décor,
  entertainment, AV, and day-of logistics.
• Work with Development Assistant Manager on coordination of event logistics.
• Identify, solicit, and steward event sponsors and in-kind donors; manage sponsor recognition
  and fulfillment.
• Recruit, train, and manage event volunteers and committee members.
• Oversee invitation design, print materials, and communications in collaboration with marketing staff or vendors.
• Work with Director of Development to manage event budget, track expenses, and produce a
  post-event financial and impact report for leadership.
• Cultivate relationships with vendors, community partners, and board members to strengthen
  the event year over year.
• Ensure a high-quality, memorable guest experience that reflects the Museum’s legacy and
  mission.

Member & Community Events:

• With guidance from the DoD and support from the Assistant Manager of Development, plan
  and execute membership events including opening receptions, member previews, and
  community programs throughout Heckscher Park and the Museum.
• Develop and maintain an annual events calendar aligned with the Museum’s exhibition
  schedule and development goals.
• Work cross-functionally with curatorial, education, community outreach, programs, and
  communications teams to engage cross-departmental collaboration on events and ensure
  events reflect the Museum’s collection and institutional priorities.
• Evaluate events against attendance, engagement, and revenue goals; apply learnings to
  improve future programming.
• Develop engaging event and benefit promotion for the website, e-blast, social media, and
  other outlets.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• 3–5 years of experience in event management, membership, development, or a related
  nonprofit or cultural institution role.
• Demonstrated success planning, executing, and overseeing fundraising for large-scale
  fundraising or special events, including managing budgets, vendors, and volunteers.
• Experience working with sponsors, donors, or board members in a professional capacity.
• Experience with CRM or membership database systems and comfort working with data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; a warm, professional presence in person
  and in writing.
• Strong organizational skills, high attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple
  priorities under deadline.
• Collaborative spirit with ability to work cross-departmentally and with volunteers and board.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, particularly during the event and exhibition
  season.

Preferred:

• Passion for visual art, art history, or museum culture — and an enthusiasm for sharing that
  passion with our community.
• Familiarity with nonprofit fundraising principles and donor cultivation best practices.
• Familiarity with Long Island’s philanthropic and cultural community.
• Experience with donor record management software (BlackBaud/RENxt) required.
• Familiarity with event software (e.g., Zkipster) or event management platforms a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, nonprofit management, hospitality, communications,
  or a related field (or equivalent experience).

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and the names of two professional references to formankindllc@gmail.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The Heckscher Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer and deeply committed to building a diverse, inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Palette Café at The Heckscher Museum of Art is seeking a reliable and customer-focused Part-Time Café Cart Attendant to operate the museum’s outdoor café cart during the summer season. This position is ideal for an individual who enjoys interacting with visitors, providing excellent customer service, and working in a unique cultural setting.

The Café Cart Attendant will be responsible for selling sandwiches and cold beverages, processing transactions through a point-of-sale (POS) system, maintaining inventory levels, and ensuring the café cart is clean, organized, and welcoming for museum guests.

SCHEDULE

Summer Fridays, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and occasional Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set up the outdoor café cart and prepare for daily service.
• Sell sandwiches, snacks, and cold beverages to museum visitors.
• Process customer transactions accurately using the POS system.
• Provide friendly, professional customer service and answer basic visitor questions.
• Monitor inventory and restock products as needed throughout the shift.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and presentation of the café cart and surrounding service area.
• Follow food handling and safety procedures.
• Perform end-of-day closing duties, including inventory checks, cleaning, and securing supplies.
• Communicate any operational issues or supply needs to the Director of Operations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Customer service experience preferred.
• Cash handling and/or POS system experience preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
• Dependable, punctual, and detail-oriented.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift light to moderate supplies.

COMPENSATION

• This position is paid at an hourly rate, commensurate with experience.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and the names of two professional references to formankindllc@gmail.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The Heckscher Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer and deeply committed to building a diverse, inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve.

Supervisor: Building & Grounds Superintendent or, in their absence, the Senior Security Officer in-charge.

Supervises: Other part-time museum guards when designated by the Building & Grounds Superintendent or the Executive Director as the senior museum guard in-charge.

Qualifications:

• Must possess a valid New York State security guard registration card.
• High School diploma, at least 18 years old, no prior conviction for a serious offense.
• Responsibility, dependability, and timeliness a must.
• Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with the public and coworkers.
• Ability to stand and/or patrol for extended periods on a hard floor surface.
• Visual acuity, alertness, and attention to detail in monitoring museum activity.
• Good verbal and written skills.
• Ability to complete incident and other job-related reports.
• Ability to set-up tables, chairs, and audio-visual equipment for programs, and conduct other similar moderate lifting.
• Must be willing to perform minor janitorial tasks to ensure public safety.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and a resume, including contact information for two professional or academic references to Ken Moss, Building & Grounds Superintendent, at facilities.heckscher@gmail.com.  No phone calls please.

Compensation: $18-20/hour