Opportunities

Donor Relations & Executive Engagement Manager

Full-Time

The Wende is an art museum, cultural center, and archive that preserves history and brings it to life through exhibitions, scholarship, education, and community engagement. The Wende reaches beyond the conventional walls of a museum in pursuit of international scholarship, artistic interpretation, community engagement, digital access, and experimental public programming.

The Donor Relations & Executive Engagement Manager is a highly relational, strategically minded professional who serves as a thought partner and proactive engagement support for the Executive Director. The ED has creative responsibility for the Wende’s overall resource development, spanning major donors, foundations, government, corporate, and planned giving, in partnership with others in the Wende’s network. This is not a traditional frontline fundraising role. The ideal candidate is a keen observer of human behavior and someone who listens deeply, anticipates needs, and generates meaningful, tailored ideas for how the Museum can cultivate and steward its most important funding relationships.

Inspired by the model of an exceptional executive assistant who combines emotional intelligence with development instincts, this person does not “dial for dollars.” Instead, they think strategically about people, including who donors and other funders are, what they care about, and how the Wende can relate to them in ways that feel genuinely personal and compelling. The position requires discretion, sophistication, and an ability to hold complex information about a wide range of stakeholders simultaneously. The position is well-suited to someone who has worked in development, the entertainment industry, executive support, or a related field and who thrives in an environment where no two days are the same.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement donor engagement strategies.
• Maintain donor records and CRM data integrity.
• Prepare executive briefings and donor correspondence.
• Coordinate donor cultivation events and VIP experiences.
• Conduct donor and prospect research.
• Manage development reporting and related administrative functions.
• Maintains strict confidentiality regarding donor records, financial information, board matters, executive communications, and other sensitive organizational information.

Thought Partnership & Executive Support

• Serve as a strategic advisor for the Executive Director on donor strategy, event concepts, board engagement, and institutional priorities.
• Bring ideas and recommendations to the ED proactively, including proposed event formats, approaches to cultivation, and creative ways to deepen donor relationships.
• Develop “blueprints” for how the Museum approaches specific donors and prospects, including tailored talking points, gift ask strategies, and follow-up plans.
• Anticipate needs across the ED’s schedule and relationships: prepare briefings, track important dates, and ensure the ED is always positioned to show up fully.

Donor Cultivation & Relationship Management

• Maintain deep, current knowledge of the Museum’s donor and prospect base, including personal preferences, interests, giving history, and relationship context.
• Identify and propose opportunities to invite VIPs and prospects to Wende events, exhibitions, and experiences that match their particular interests.
• Draft thoughtful, personalized donor correspondence, including thank-you notes, cultivation emails, and event invitations, on behalf of the ED.
• Conduct outreach to donors and prospects to share museum news, check in on relationships, and ensure no important connection goes dormant.
• Research prospective donors and institutions to identify alignment with Wende’s mission and advise the ED on approach.

Event Strategy & VIP Experience

• Take ownership of the vision and experience design for donor dinners, cultivation events, and VIP engagements, bringing proposals and creative concepts to the ED rather than simply executing instructions.
• Coordinate logistics for high-priority events and engagements in partnership with the Development and Events teams.
• Ensure that VIP and major donor experiences reflect the Wende’s distinctive culture and the individual preferences of each guest.
• Maintain gift and recognition protocols, including thoughtful, personalized gestures for key stakeholders (birthdays, milestones, etc.).

Grant Cycle & Development Operations Support

• Monitor the grants calendar and Instrumentl platform proactively, alerting the ED to upcoming deadlines, opportunities, and renewals.
• Coordinate with development staff to ensure the ED has all context needed ahead of funder meetings, site visits, and reporting deadlines.
• Track individual donor pipelines and next steps.

Development Administration and Data

• Serve as primary steward of all development department data, including comprehensive management of donor records, gift processing, interaction tracking, and communication preferences in the CRM system.
• Create and maintain new processes and provide recommendations for data management and tracking systems.
• Process donor acknowledgments weekly and manage development mailing projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong relationship management and interpersonal skills
• Experience supporting donor cultivation, stewardship, or executive engagement efforts preferred
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Professional presence and ability to interact confidently with donors, board members, executives, and VIP stakeholders
• Ability to anticipate needs, exercise discretion, and manage confidential information
• Experience with CRM/database systems preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace

Other Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned consistent with the nature and level of the position.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, arts administration, business administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in donor relations, development, executive support, nonprofit administration, hospitality, or related field.
• Experience using donor relationship management (CRM) software
• Strong relationship management and interpersonal skills
• Experience supporting donor cultivation, stewardship, or executive engagement efforts preferred
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Professional presence and ability to interact confidently with donors, board members, executives, and VIP stakeholders
• Ability to anticipate needs, exercise discretion, and manage confidential information
• Experience with CRM/database systems preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace

Confidentiality

Maintains strict confidentiality regarding donor records, financial information, board matters, executive communications, and sensitive organizational information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a museum, cultural institution, educational organization, hospitality venue, or event environment.
• Knowledge of history, art, humanities, political science, or related disciplines.

Preferred Characteristics

• Highly proactive and resourceful
• Strong and relationship-building skills
• Polished and donor-service oriented
• Strategic thinker with strong follow-through
• Comfortable working in fast-paced and evolving environments
• Ability to balance professionalism, hospitality, and operational execution
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

START DATE: Open

SALARY: $100,000 – $110,000

SCHEDULE: Full-time. This position regularly requires flexibility to work evenings, holidays, and occasional weekends to support donor events, exhibition openings, board meetings, and other museum functions. Occasional local travel may also be required.

Recognizing that this is an ongoing process, the Wende Museum is committed to continually increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability. People of color, LGBTQIA+ people, people without formal education, and others who may have been marginalized by conventional hiring practices are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply
Submit a resume and brief cover letter in a single PDF attachment with the subject line “Donor Relations & Executive Engagement Manager” to opportunities@wendemuseum.org.

Facilities Assistant

Organization: Wende Museum
Department: Facilities
Status: Part-time, up to 29 hours per week
Pay Rate: $21–$24 hourly
Supervisor: Head of Facilities

Summary
The Facilities Assistant supports the maintenance, safety, and day-to-day operation of the Wende Museum’s buildings and grounds. This role is primarily focused on weekdays and weekend coverage to support public programs, events, and routine facilities maintenance. The Facilities Assistant works closely with the Head of Facilities to ensure museum spaces are safe, functional, and properly maintained for staff, visitors, artists, and community partners. This role offers opportunities to develop skills in museum operations, facilities management, and exhibition support. Please note that previous experience in facilities maintenance is required.

Duties and Responsibilities
Facilities and Maintenance

• Perform routine maintenance and upkeep of museum facilities, including offices, galleries, exhibition spaces, storage areas, restrooms, and outdoor and landscaped areas.
• Conduct regular walkthroughs to identify maintenance needs, safety concerns, or cleanliness issues.
• Assist with basic repairs, including minor plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and HVAC-related tasks.
• Report larger or specialized maintenance issues promptly to the Head of Facilities.

Event and Weekend Support

• Provide on-site facilities support during weekend programs and events.
• Set up and break down rooms for events, including furniture, equipment, and space configurations.
• Monitor facilities during events and respond to immediate operational needs.
• Perform post-event resets and coordination of cleaning as needed.

Safety and Security Support

• Assist with safety checks of emergency exits, exit signage, emergency lighting, and fire life safety systems.
• Support adherence to established safety protocols and incident reporting procedures.
• Assist with basic security-related checks during weekend operations.
• This role does not make independent security decisions and escalates concerns to the Head of Facilities or designated staff.

Exhibitions and Install Support

• Assist museum staff with exhibition installation and de-installation support.
• Safely move artwork, display cases, signage, lighting components, and related materials under supervision.
• Follow all museum handling, access, and preservation procedures.
• Art handling tasks are performed under supervision and training is provided.

Vendor and Contractor Support

• Assist with escorting vendors and contractors during scheduled shifts.
• Report work completed, issues observed, and follow-up needs to the Head of Facilities.

Inventory and Supplies

• Assist with organizing and maintaining facilities, tools, supplies, and equipment.
• Monitor supply levels and communicate restocking needs.

Waste and Sustainability

• Support proper waste disposal, recycling, and sustainability practices in accordance with museum policies and local regulations.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain basic records of maintenance tasks, inspections, and event-related facilities support as requested.

Online Museum Overstock Support

• Assist with managing the museum’s online overstock operations on platforms such as eBay and OfferUp.
• Support product listings, order processing, packaging, and shipping coordination as assigned.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous experience in facilities maintenance, building operations, or custodial work preferred.
• Experience in a museum, nonprofit, or cultural institution environment is a plus.

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of basic building maintenance and repair practices.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow established procedures and work independently when required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Reliability and consistency, particularly for weekend event coverage.
• Bilingual English and Spanish preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb ladders, bend, kneel, and perform physical labor.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying conditions.
• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods during events.

Schedule Requirements

• Primarily weekend work supporting events and routine maintenance.
• Occasional weekday hours may be scheduled based on operational needs.

To apply, please send PDF copies of a cover letter outlining your interest and a current resume to opportunities@wendemuseum.org

Equal Opportunity Employer
The Wende Museum is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and diverse workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

Collections Internship

The Wende Museum offers Collections Internships for currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students, as well as recent graduates who are interested in gaining experience in collection management, collection development, and artifact research. Positions are part-time, paid at $18/hour for 120 hours, and available for course credit. Internships are offered year-round, typically beginning in January, June, and September. We are currently accepting applications for our Winter Collections Internship, which is set to begin in January 2027.

The Collections Internship will focus on cataloging the Museum’s incoming acquisitions and existing backlog. Interns will gain experience in key areas of object handling, processing objects, and using a museum database (Mimsy XG). Interns will have the opportunity to directly work with artifacts from the Cold War and be exposed to a variety of museum activities. Potential interns must meet the following criteria for consideration:

• Be available to work part-time between Monday and Friday;
• Have completed at least one semester of college by the time of application;
• Possess an interest in museum studies, collections management, history, and/or material and visual culture of the Cold War;
• Be comfortable working with databases and computers;
• Be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and independent, with excellent communication skills;
• A reading knowledge of German, Russian, or an Eastern European Language is helpful but not required.

Applications for our Winter Internship will be accepted through November 1. To apply, please fill out this form and send PDF copies of your cover letter outlining your interest and a current resume to internships@wendemuseum.org.

Please indicate that you are applying for the Collections Internship, both in the email subject and cover letter.