Capital Campaign Director

Founded in 1958 as the Orleans Historical Society, our Vision is to bring culture and history to life and thus inspire a shared sense of community and pride in the rich heritage of our town.

Our Meetinghouse, the adjacent Hurd Chapel and the Gold Medal CG 36500 Motor Lifeboat all serve as gathering places or “centers” for learning and activities. The many residents and guests who have visited these historic sites, attended our programs and become CHO members have seen our commitment to preserving and honoring the past. Yet this is only part of our story. As Orleans focuses on the future, we seek to be a positive contributor and strong advocate for change and cultural growth that respect the town’s history

JOIN AN ENTHUSIASTIC TEAM, WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH LEADERSHIP, CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES AND VOLUNTEERS AND BE CRITICAL TO TURNING VISION INTO REALITY.

Location: Hybrid - Orleans, MA (Cape Cod), and work from home (ideally within 100 miles of Orleans)

Reports to: Campaign Co-Chairs

Term: Three-Year National Capital Campaign

Salary Range: $90,000–$110,000, commensurate with experience

Start Date: March 1, 2026, or as soon as possible

About the Museum and Campaign

The Orleans Historical Society (OHS), founded in 1958, has launched Campaign CG36500, a $4 million national capital campaign to build a new Museum dedicated to permanently protect, preserve, and display the famous Lifeboat CG36500 — celebrated for its role in “the greatest small-boat rescue in Coast Guard history.” Immortalized in the bestselling book and Disney film The Finest Hours, the CG36500 embodies courage, seamanship, and selfless service.

The new Museum—located on the historic Orleans Meetinghouse campus—will honor generations of rescue crews, illuminate 400 years of lifesaving history on Cape Cod, and inspire future maritime first responders. The Capital Campaign Director will play a central role in bringing this transformational cultural project to life. There is potential for a longer-term staff leadership position for the right candidate.

Position Summary

The Capital Campaign Director serves as the senior development professional leading all aspects of Campaign CG36500. Working closely with the Campaign Co-Chairs, Campaign Committee, staff, and volunteers, the Director will coordinate strategy, steward donor relationships, manage major gifts activity, and ensure disciplined campaign execution from quiet phase through public launch and completion.

This position is supported by a Campaign Administrator and outside professional services as needed.

Key Responsibilities

Campaign Planning & Leadership:

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive campaign plan with timelines, benchmarks, and measurable goals.
• Ensure strategic alignment among the Campaign Committee, volunteer leaders, staff, and consultants.
• Coordinate campaign communications, case materials, donor engagement strategies, and public launch activities.

Major Gifts & Donor Engagement:

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects; conduct cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities in collaboration with volunteer leaders.
• Research, identify, and engage regional and national prospects, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Oversee grant identification and proposal development.

Campaign Operations:

• Maintain accurate records using donor databases, management systems, and research tools.
• Prepare regular campaign progress reports for leadership and the Board.
• Ensure fulfillment of donor recognition, naming opportunities, and stewardship commitments.

Volunteer & Committee Support:

• Provide guidance and structure to Campaign Co-Chairs and volunteers to support their outreach efforts.
• Coordinate agendas, materials, follow-up, and communications for all campaign committees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred.
• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to execute plans into clear, measurable results.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and storytelling skills; comfortable engaging diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a hybrid environment.
• Deferred giving and special events experience.
• Passion for maritime history, museums, cultural nonprofits, or community-based initiatives is a plus.

Experience

• 5–7 years of fundraising experience, preferably including capital campaigns, major gifts, and/or planned giving.
• Proven success in securing significant gifts and managing donor relationships.
• Experience collaborating with boards, volunteers, and external partners.
• Familiarity with donor databases, prospect research tools, and digital fundraising platforms (grants, sponsorships, direct mail, crowdfunding).

Application Process

The Orleans Historical Society welcomes candidates from a wide range of backgrounds. If you are inspired by this opportunity and believe you can successfully lead Campaign CG36500, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every listed qualification. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Please forward resume and cover letter to Henry Brehm [hbrehm1112@gmail.com]. Thank you for your interest in supporting this historic and nationally significant project.