Director of Development

What makes Melly unique is our practice of collective learning: we make knowledge visible, share information, and actively involve the public in creative processes and artistic presentations. We believe that this shared experience of art and theory is vital—to enjoy our present, to learn with and about culture, and to open up new perspectives. As such, Melly is not only an exhibition space but also a place that catalyzes thought, fuels public debate, and views art as a movement.

Melly Art Institute is supported by the Municipality of Rotterdam and the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, as well as by contributions from foundations, private funds, individual donors, and its own revenue from ticket sales, programs, and publications. It is precisely in this multifaceted mix that the challenge and the opportunity lie: in the coming years, Melly aims to further strengthen and sustainably expand its development strategy.

The role

This is a broad and crucial role within the Melly Art Institute. The position combines development and strategy. As such, you will be responsible not only for fundraising and relationship management, but also for policy development, grant applications, and ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability.

Given Melly’s decision to appoint the director for a term of two consecutive three-year periods, the role of Director of Development is significant: together with a number of colleagues, you will be the stabilizing force that sustains the organization in the long term. Together with Director Gabi Ngcobo and the other members of the strategic team, you are the face of Melly.

Together with the director, you represent Melly to foundations, governments, companies, and private individuals, and you convey our mission with conviction. You bridge the gap between artistic ambition and business fundamentals, ensuring that Melly can grow in strength, visibility, and sustainability. You are therefore entrepreneurial, proactive, and well-informed about developments in the world of grants and subsidies.

What you will be doing

• You will develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy for Melly. 
• Together with the director, you will be jointly responsible for policy development and formulation, and will help draft policy plans and grant applications (both multi-year and project-based). 
• You ensure the continuity of the institution, even during changes in artistic leadership. 
• You will maintain and strengthen relationships with foundations, companies, individuals, and other stakeholders, approaching these interactions with an entrepreneurial spirit, a proactive attitude, and a focus on results.
• You are responsible for securing one-time funding (at least $250,000 per year) and contribute to sustainable growth. 
• You will represent Melly externally, alongside the director and members of the strategic team, and will serve as one of the institute’s public faces. 
• You will advise and support senior management and the board in the areas of development and relationship management.

What you bring to the table

• An enthusiastic networker who combines a passion for contemporary art and culture with business acumen. 
• Demonstrable experience in fundraising, policy development, and relationship management, preferably in the cultural sector. 
• Strategic and hands-on: you know how to make plans, but also how to carry them out. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Dutch and English—you are fluent in both languages. 
• A curious mind who believes in the power of art to inspire and bring people together.

What we offer

• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Rotterdam, in an art center with an international flair and an innovative, engaged work culture. 
• The opportunity to bring Melly’s mission to life and help shape our future. 
• A diverse role involving strategic, policy-related, and entrepreneurial aspects. 
• A contract (32–36 hours) in accordance with the De Zaak Nu collective bargaining agreement, with pay scale based on experience.

Interested?

Melly is being guided through this process by Colourful People | Winfred Voordendag. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an exploratory meeting, please call 06-28284706 or email w.voordendag@colourfulpeople.nl.

You can apply by Sunday, November 9, by sending your resume and cover letter to the email address above or by uploading them via the Colourful People website. Interviews will be held onWednesday, November 19, and Monday, November 24 (in the afternoon) in Rotterdam.

Melly Art Institute strives to be an inclusive and diverse organization. We encourage anyone who fits the profile to apply, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, or physical disability. Melly adheres to the Cultural Governance Code, the Fair Practice Code, and the Diversity & Inclusion Code.