Jobs

Join the team at the Center.

The Burchfield Penney Art Center offers an exciting and inclusive work environment for talented and hardworking individuals who share in our desire to inspire, invest in, and celebrate the historical and contemporary accomplishments of Western New York artists. 


Current openings are regularly updated below. If there are no openings available at this time, but you’re eager to get in touch about future opportunities, send us an email at burchfld@buffalostate.edu.

The Burchfield Penney Art Center (Burchfield Penney) is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and the art and artists of Buffalo and our region. Through our affiliation with SUNY Buffalo State University, we encourage learning and celebrate our richly creative, diverse community. We commit to inspiring, investing in, and celebrating artists' historical and contemporary accomplishments. We will energize the WNY community and SUNY Buffalo State University through meaningful experiences and sustain and enhance our culture and environment through our decisions and actions. 

We recognize that every visitor, artist, volunteer, and staff member has unique lived experiences. We commit to celebrating and reflecting our community's diversity through the arts. Together, we are empowered to think, learn, and grow.

We are dedicated to building a diverse staff that reflects our mission and community. 

Our collection is home to more than 12,000 works of art by more than 680 artists spanning the late 19th century through the present. It includes the world's most extensive collection of artworks and ephemera by acclaimed watercolorist Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967). 

Founded in 1966, Burchfield Penney has a remarkable history and is a crucial member of the Buffalo cultural community.

 

Status: Full-time, non-exempt (37.5 hours per week)
Salary Range: $41,000 - $51,000

 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Development & Special Events Coordinator is a key position in the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s Development Department, ensuring that departmental events and day-to-day departmental operations run smoothly, accurately, and efficiently.

This role leads the planning and execution of all events within the Development Department, with particular focus on the Annual Art Auction & Gala and the biennial (716)ART Auction. Additional event coordination may include, but is not limited to, managing the logistics of partner events at regional galleries, donor and sponsor receptions, and meetings with major donors. In collaboration with the Membership Associate, this role supports member-related events and activities such as member receptions and exhibition preview nights. 

The Development & Special Events Coordinator maintains information and processes donations through the donor management system (Raiser’s Edge). This role generates acknowledgements for donations, including event sponsorship, grants, annual giving, major donations, and donations of artwork for event auctions. Excellent writing and attention to detail are essential in successfully performing this function of the position.

The duties of this role will vary over the course of each calendar year, requiring excellent time management and communication skills, the ability to self-prioritize work, and the ability to collaborate and manage expectations both across and upwards within the organization. This role reports to the Assistant Director of Development. 

Work Schedule: Although work will typically be conducted at the Center Monday-Friday during normal business hours, this position is frequently required to be present for programs that may begin or end outside those parameters, including occasional evening or weekend events. Flexible scheduling is available to maintain a work-life balance.

Essential Functions:

Events Coordination

  • Coordinates all logistics and activities for fundraising events
  • Manages timeline, content, and production of event-related materials, including invitations, program books, and digital assets.
  • Serves as the primary liaison for event committee meetings, creating agendas and working with chairs to lead meetings and follow up actions.  
  • Manages invitation lists (mailing and digital) for all development events
  • Creates materials for sponsor, participant and donor solicitation and acknowledgement.
  • Communicates with event sponsors to ensure fulfillment of their benefits 


Fund Development & Donor Relations

  • Manages gift processing functions, including entry of gifts into Raiser’s Edge, batch reporting and other financial reports, and producing and distributing timely gift acknowledgements
  • Ensures the accuracy and integrity of data, performs timely data updates and coding, and produces reports, including monthly pledge status reports.
  • Manages and ensures the accuracy of online email lists and coding, in conjunction with marketing staff.  
  • Manages the monthly giving program, processes monthly gifts, and ensures donor credit card information is accurate and secure.
  • Drafts and prepares donor correspondence, including regular pledge reminders, billing invoices, invitations, and gift acknowledgement letters.

Administrative & Logistical Support 

  • Travels within the region to pick up and deliver supplies, documents, packages, meeting materials, food, and beverages.
  • Handles administrative details associated with comprehensive campaign activities (i.e., scheduling meetings, coordinating refreshments).
  • Proactively prepares for internal and external meetings and donor engagements, managing technology, booking reservations, handling accommodations for guests, coordinating on-site room reservations, and collating meeting materials.
  • Manages the development filing system, both paper and digital files.

Required Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

  • Proven database management skill and computer literacy; experience in data systems (Raiser’s Edge preferred) and generating reports.  
  • Able to build strong interpersonal relationships within the organization, with supporters, and within the community.
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license and have consistent, reliable access to a vehicle and transportation.
  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience.
  • Minimum of two years fundraising experience, membership service/sales, customer service, or related non-profit work.
  • Ability to present information concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Exceptional attention to detail and highly developed skills in writing and editing.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills.

To apply: Please email your cover letter, resume, and three professional references in one PDF document, saved as "Last name.First name.” and “Development & Special Events Coordinator” in the subject bar to burchfld@buffalostate.edu. No calls, please. 

This position is open until filled. The planned employment date is January 6, 2025.