Description of Responsibilities:

At The Strong, we believe play has the power to inspire, educate, and connect people of all ages. Behind our world-renowned exhibits, national halls of fame, and groundbreaking educational initiatives is a passionate, collaborative team—and an exceptional opportunity for a strategic fundraising leader.

We are seeking a Director of Corporate and Strategic Relations to manage and elevate our corporate partnerships, foundation grants, regional and national sponsorships, and high-impact industry alliances across the toy, video game, and entertainment sectors.

Why This Role?

You won't be building from scratch. You will step into a highly supportive, collaborative Institutional Advancement team and inherit an established, structured corporate portfolio - including active corporate partners and a dedicated portfolio of 10-12 regional foundation prospects. Your focus will be on leveraging a well-defined framework to deepen existing relationships, cultivate new national partnerships, secure grant funding, and drive support for high-profile museum priorities and flagship events like our annual Play Ball gala.

What You Bring:

• Proven Track Record: 5+ years in direct fundraising with demonstrated experience closing significant corporate gifts, foundation grants, and sponsorships.
• Strategic Relationship Management: A talent for moves management, prospect research, proposal writing, and aligning partner marketing goals with mission-driven opportunities.
• Collaborative Mindset: A desire to work closely with cross-functional teams—from Marketing to Exhibits—to deliver meaningful donor recognition and steward long-term support. If you are a driven, relationship builder and strategic communicator eager to join a thriving institution with a rock-solid foundation, we’d love to connect!

Organization's Financial Sources:

• Contributions
• Foundation and Corporate Grants
• Special Events
• Government Grants
• Interest Income
• Earned Income (dues, tuition, etc.)

Benefits:

• Salary Increment Policy
• Performance Review Policy
• Generous Paid Time Off: Receive 112.5 to 120 hours of PTO in your first year, plus 67.5 to 88 hours of paid holiday time.
• Medical, Dental, Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Robust Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan features a 4% non-elective employer contribution after six months (whether you contribute or not), plus an additional 4% employer match.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, English, Behavioral Sciences, or a closely related field.

Experience/Personal Qualifications:

• 5+ years of demonstrated growth in direct fundraising.
• Ability to close six-figure gifts.
• Experience and comfort interacting with high-net-worth individuals.
• Successful track record in meeting and/or exceeding fundraising goals and objectives.
• Understanding of and dedication to The Strong’s mission.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, and travel as needed.

• Master’s degree.
• Account management experience.
• Bilingual written and verbal skills.
• Supervisory experience.

Specific Requirements of Position:

• Annual Campaigns
• Media Relations
• Grant Writing
• Major Gift Solicitation
• Special Events Planning
• Computer - Database
• Computer - Spreadsheets
• Computer - Word Processing
• Donor Research

Special Requirements of Position: Travel

Position Reports to:
Kate Whitman
Senior Director of Institutional Advancement

Contact Name:
Justin Leenhouts
Director of Human Resources
[email protected]

Apply here: https://www.museumofplay.org/jobs/

Include with Correspondence:

Resume
References
Cover Letter
Writing Samples

Additional info: Director of Corporate and Strategic Relations.pdf