Director of Development

Director of Development

Savannah, Georgia

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with the Georgia Historical Society to recruit the organization’s next Director of Development.

Overview

The Georgia Historical Society (GHS), the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining, and teaching Georgia and American history, is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Director of Development. This is a rare opportunity to join a respected institution during an exciting period of growth.

Based in historic Savannah, Georgia, GHS was founded in 1839, making it the oldest continuously operating historical society in the South. It is known nationally for its scholarly rigor, public outreach, and stewardship of a priceless collection. The successful candidate will be a seasoned development professional who thrives in a collaborative, high-performance environment and is motivated by excellence, impact, and mission.

About the Georgia Historical Society

One of the nation’s first historical societies, GHS is exceptional in being a private, nonprofit institution with a statewide educational and research mission. GHS houses the earliest and most distinguished collection of materials related to Georgia history in the nation. With a staff of 20+ and an annual operating budget of over $5 million, GHS has grown significantly over the past two decades, in both its programmatic impact and fundraising capacity.

The organization is guided by core workplace beliefs centered on integrity, professionalism, and mission alignment. The GHS team shares a strong commitment to preserving and interpreting Georgia and American history in a fact-based, scholarly, and apolitical manner.

For more information about the Georgia Historical Society, visit their website at GeorgiaHistory.com .

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the Chief Executive Officer along with the senior leadership team, the Director of Development will manage all aspects of the organization’s development program, including major gifts, annual giving, grants, special events, planned giving, and campaign support. This is a full-time, in-person position based in Savannah.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the Georgia History Festival development campaign, the organization’s signature $2M+ annual fundraising campaign and gala event.
• Writing and coordinating grant proposals and reports.
• Supporting the CEO in major gift solicitations and donor stewardship.
• Coordinating closely with program, finance, and senior leadership to align fundraising efforts with institutional goals.
• Leading and mentoring a capable Development Associate and overseeing systems such as Salesforce for donor management and Asana for project management.
• Managing overall donor cultivation, stewardship, and prospect research.
• Work with outside campaign counsel in capital campaigns, including donor tracking, meeting coordination, and follow-up.
• Overseeing annual membership appeal and other donor communications.

Key Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring:

• A minimum of 10 years of nonprofit development experience, with a track record of leading successful campaigns and donor initiatives.
• Exceptional writing and communication skills, including the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling proposals and donor materials.
• Proficiency with fundraising databases and CRM systems. (Prior Salesforce is a plus.)
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated project management experience and ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent relationship-building abilities.
• An employment history that reflects tenure and stability.
• A grounded, mission-first approach, with sensitivity to historical complexity and political neutrality.
• Comfort working selflessly behind the scenes for the good of the organization.

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. Prior work in history, education, or cultural institutions is strongly desired. Work at the national or state level preferred.

Institutional Culture & Workplace Expectations

GHS is a high-performance, mission-driven organization that expects professionalism, discretion, and collaboration. The culture emphasizes:

• Collegiality, attention to detail, and respect for institutional traditions.
• Clear communication, including a collaborative and documentation-focused work style (email and CC culture).
• Adaptability and emotional maturity and intelligence in a demanding and fast-paced environment.

Location & Compensation

This position is based in Savannah, Georgia, with no remote or hybrid option. Very occasional travel may be required. Savannah is a city rich in history and architectural beauty, consistently ranked among the South’s most desirable places to live.

• Salary range: Expected to be in the $80,000 to $100,000 range, commensurate with experience. Higher compensation will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates.
• Benefits include: medical, dental, vision, retirement matching, long-term disability, life insurance, generous vacation and holiday leave, and parental leave.

Equal Opportunity Statement

GHS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and childbirth), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), or other protected status. GHS’ policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Application Process

The search for a new Director of Development is being conducted for the Georgia Historical Society by The Moran Company. To apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume with full employment history in chronological order to Steven Byers through the secure online portal on the Moran Company website. For the best opportunity of being considered, please apply by March 20th, 2026. Questions may be directed to Steve.Byers (at) MoranCompany.com.