Advancement Specialist

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a not-for-profit institution that exhibits, collects, preserves, and researches contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora; conceives and hosts international exhibitions; develops supporting educational, discursive and enriching programmes; encourages intercultural understanding; and strives for access for all. The museum’s galleries feature rotating, temporary exhibitions with a dedicated space for the permanent collection. The institution also includes the Centre for Art Education, the Centre for the Moving Image, and a Project Space for emerging artists. It opened to the public in September 2017.

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is looking for an Advancement Specialist to join the team. Reporting to the Head of IA, the position serves as a bridge between Zeitz MOCAA and its community, combining community management with strategic advancement activities. This role is responsible for building and nurturing relationships across all stakeholder groups, from individual members to corporate partners, while ensuring smooth operations and excellent member experience. The Advancement Specialist cultivates community engagement through personable interactions, event management, and targeted outreach. Key to this role is the ability to identify and secure large corporate memberships and partnerships, manage day-to-day office operations that support the department's effectiveness, and leverage relationships for strategic fundraising, particularly within the corporate sector.

This position requires a talented professional skilled in collaboration across the museum departments and able to execute the development and growth of the permanent collection and exhibition schedules that engages a diverse community and advances artistic/cultural discourse.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Support the delivery of the Museum's membership, patron, and corporate partnership strategy
• Build authentic relationships with communities, visitors, members and stakeholders; create inclusive engagement opportunities; and lead public programmes, events and workshops.
• Identify and develop corporate membership and partnership opportunities, manage relationships and renewals, coordinate activations, and support the acquisition of new corporate members.
• Plan and coordinate exclusive members, patron, and corporate events and experiences
• Build and maintain strong relationships with members, patrons, sponsors, and corporate partners
• Support the growth and stewardship of corporate memberships and strategic partnerships
• Support revenue generation through membership campaigns, corporate fundraising, renewals and upgrades, while developing initiatives that strengthen member and patron relationships.
• Coordinate sponsorship activations and partnership benefits across Museum programmes and events
• Manage membership administration, CRM records, renewals, reporting, and event logistics
• Collaborate across departments to deliver exceptional member and partner experiences
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to develop and deliver campaigns promoting membership, patronage, and partnership programmes.
• Create engaging content for member communications, including newsletters and promotional materials, ensuring brand consistency.
• Identify opportunities to increase awareness and engagement of membership programmes across internal and external audiences.
• Monitor and report on membership, sponsorship, and partnership performance, using insights to improve engagement and demonstrate impact
• Manage and maintain the Museum's CRM system and membership database, ensuring accurate records and reporting.
• Oversee member and corporate partner invoicing and ensure timely financial processing and compliance.

Qualifications and Experience

• 3-year bachelor’s degree or diploma or equivalent NQF level
• Minimum of 3 years’ work experience in related field (community management, events, membership, customer engagement, or similar)
• Demonstrated experience in corporate relationship building and business development
• CRM, customer engagement, fundraising or loyalty programmes experience
• Proven track record of successful event management and public-facing community work
• Experience with fundraising or membership program development is an asset

Key Skills and Competencies

Personability and Interpersonal Skills. Exceptionally personable, approachable, and genuine in building relationships across all levels; excellent at making people feel welcome and valued.

Communication. Excellent spoken and written English; ability to communicate effectively, persuasively, and authentically at all levels.

Relationship Building and Influence. Strong ability to build productive business relationships, influence senior stakeholders, and create genuine connections; skilled at networking and maintaining long-term relationships.

Sales and Negotiation. Proven ability to close sales, secure partnerships, and negotiate terms; results-oriented approach to corporate development.

Organization and Project Management. Exceptional organizational skills; ability to manage multiple complex projects, events, and stakeholders simultaneously; strong project and event management capabilities.

Technical Proficiency. Strong computer skills in MS Word, Excel, and database management systems; ability to learn and utilize CRM software and other digital tools.

Attention to Detail. High attention to detail with excellent proofreading and quality assurance skills.

Discretion and Confidentiality. Ability to handle confidential information and sensitive donor/member records with professionalism and discretion.

Resilience and Pressure Management. Ability to work effectively under pressure, manage competing priorities, and remain resilient in a dynamic environment.

As a cutting-edge equal opportunity institution, Zeitz MOCAA celebrates diversity in all its forms including gender, race, creed, and orientation. Zeitz MOCAA is committed to Employment Equity and particularly welcomes applications from suitably qualified Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs) for this position.