Job Posting – Director of Development (Royal BC Museum Foundation)

The Royal BC Museum Foundation is the fundraising and revenue generation partner of the Royal BC Museum, a treasured and essential cultural institution in BC. The Foundation is an independent entity that, over its 50-year history, has raised and managed investments that today total $17 million.

The Foundation is now entering a new strategic phase and is ready to re-launch and rebuild its fundraising program in tandem with a renewed and revitalized museum relationship.

The Foundation, therefore, now seeks a Director of Development to establish and execute its fundraising plan and programs. The Director will work closely with the Foundation Executive Director and Board, and museum leadership to build a thoughtful and effective fundraising program and culture to widen and invite more supporters to this crucial institution.

The Royal BC Museum preserves, interprets, and celebrates BC’s heritage. Its natural history and social history artifacts and records – from mammoths to masks to moving images – enable it to tell the widest possible range of stories: of land and people, of place and movement. Throughout its history, it has remained focused on an important purpose: to be a museum that is accessible to every British Columbian, regardless of age, ethnicity, or geography, in a province where all people respect each other and the environment in which they live.

The Director will be an experienced fundraising generalist inspired to put foundational elements in place, develop a culture of philanthropy within the organization, and further establish the Foundation’s presence with philanthropists and supporters.

This is an exciting opportunity to:

• Direct fundraising at one of BC’s most prominent and longstanding cultural institutions;
• Establish a robust and professional fundraising program for long-term success and growth;
• Build effective and collaborative relationships across the Foundation and museum;
• Partner with the museum leadership in the development and support of museum priorities;
• Be an in-house authority and subject matter expert.

The Director plays an essential role in shaping the Foundation’s philanthropic vision and strategic fundraising objectives. This requires a forward-thinking leader who will oversee all aspects of development, including operational management and donor engagement, to strengthen the Foundation’s reputation and reach, engaging donors, enhancing community relations, and supporting relationships with the museum community.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will collaborate closely with the Foundation Board, staff, and museum leadership to implement fundraising initiatives aligned with the Museum’s objectives, with jointly-agreed upon priorities.

This position is a great opportunity for a fundraiser who is:

• A builder. Energized by the opportunity to build a program in a high-profile and prominent institution. Thrives in change and deals well with ambiguity and the unexpected. Proactive and persistent.
• Strategic. Excited to shape and direct the Foundation’s fundraising program. Efficient, clear, and organized. Creative and entrepreneurial.
• Flexible and adaptable. Adapts well to different work environments and people. Is as comfortable doing day-to-day tasks as building rapport with high-net-worth donors.
• A credible fundraiser and excellent communicator. Enhances the museum’s culture of philanthropy. A compelling storyteller, negotiator, and diplomat.
• Assertive and direct. Able to work effectively with a wide range of partners and collaborators in an effective manner. Confident in their abilities and expertise. Marshalls resources and views into a cohesive plan. An excellent problem-solver.
• Collaborative. A true team player willing to help others without ego or pretension. Open and transparent. Fosters respect, authenticity, emotional intelligence, responsibility, and accountability.
• Mission-aligned and dedicated. Passionate and caring. Has genuine excitement for the work of the museum. Committed to equity and inclusion. Committed to social justice, anti-racism, and anti-Indigenous racism.
• A teacher and mentor. Shares knowledge willingly, rewards curiosity, and identifies key internal needs.

This search is being led by the Royal BC Museum Foundation’s search partner, The Discovery Group.

If you or someone you know is interested or curious, please be in touch at christoph@thediscoverygroup.ca.

Compensation & Benefits:

The Director’s salary range is $110,000 – $140,000, depending on experience and ability. A comprehensive benefits package includes extended health and dental coverage, RRSP matching program of 10% of salary, and four weeks of vacation.

Location:

This is a full-time permanent role based at the extraordinary Royal BC Museum in Victoria, BC, with hybrid work possible. The Director will need to be based in the Victoria area.

Read the full Candidate Brief Here: https://thediscoverygroup.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Royal-BC-Museum-Foundation-Brief.pdf