Institutional Relations Manager

Job Description

Job Title: Institutional Relations Manager

Department: Advancement

Reports To: Senior Director of Development

FLSA Status: Exempt (Full-time, Regular)

Salary: $60,000 - $70,000

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, after-hours or weekend work as required

Prepared/Revised Date: 08/2025

Anticipated Start Date: ASAP

Job Summary:

The Columbus Museum of Art’s Institutional Relations Manager (IRM) is a front-line fundraiser responsible for developing corporate and corporate foundation (“institutional”) support of CMA’s mission-driven programming and general operations. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the IRM will research prospects, solicit new and existing donors via event sponsorship and grant submission, and conduct year-round stewardship and reporting. The IRM is responsible for identifying and managing an active portfolio of institutional donors and prospects that will result in new and retained support for the organization in accordance with annual goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Corporate Fundraising and Event Sponsorship

Solicit institutional event sponsorships for three signature fundraising events annually

Maintain detailed and accurate sponsor information, including deliverables, pledges, invoices, agreements, and delivery of benefits

Provide superior customer service to event sponsors by answering questions, anticipating needs, escalating issues when appropriate, and meeting and/or exceeding sponsor expectations

Steward sponsors by providing timely, compelling, and consistent engagement and recognition

Perform additional duties as assigned, including evening and weekend hours as necessary

Corporate Foundation Grants Management

Proactively research institutional funders whose philanthropic pillars align with CMA priorities and programs

Engage institutional donors through regular, relevant communication

Build and maintain a grants calendar to track application and reporting deadlines

Use a strong understanding of museum priorities and giving vehicles to create proposals that balance donor and museum goals, ensuring proposals are vetted with leadership, appropriately scoped, and well-crafted

Collaborate with program leads across departments to draft and submit compelling grant applications and follow-up reports based on funder requirements and relevant outcome data

Ensure accurate, timely, and complete record keeping, including visit and contact notes, and proposal and budget information

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree

Three or more years of progressive fundraising experience, especially in grants management, corporate and foundation relations, and/or fundraising events

Personal values that align with CMA’s mission and core values

Skills

Understanding of, or desire to learn about, connecting people and art

Exemplary organizational, written, and oral communications, and project management skills

Ability to exercise discretion, good judgment, diplomacy, and maintain strict confidentiality

Flexibility and ability to thrive in a changing environment

Work Environment

This is a full-time position, working 40 hours per week, generally Mon-Fri, 9 AM-5 PM

This position requires attendance at after-hours and off-site events and receptions.

This position works primarily onsite in Columbus, OH

Full-time

Hybrid remote