Director of Advancement & External Relations
Director of Advancement & External Relations
(full-time)
Mission
Find all details and apply at https://ashleyrountree.recruitpro.com/jobs/311142-41700.html
About Actors Theatre of Louisville
Land Acknowledgement
Summary of Position:
The next decade of philanthropic growth at Actors Theatre will be defined by breadth and depth-expanding the base of small donors while cultivating large gifts that empower artistic and community innovation. The Director of Advancement & External Relations will lead this evolution by:
- Leading major campaigns to increase capital, artistic, and organizational support.
- Building a culture of participation-encouraging widespread community giving through accessible, low-barrier entry points.
- Integrating data to shape compelling donor stories and using digital engagement to attract and retain new supporters.
- Establishing clear gift alignment criteria to ensure that major contributions further Actors Theatre's values and programs without compromising artistic integrity.
- Developing next-generation donor engagement strategies, including recurring-style giving, peer fundraising, and campaigns across email, social media and events that connect local audiences with national supporters.
The successful candidate will be entrepreneurial and have a proven track record of fundraising success. Actors Theatre operates with a leaner budget than in previous years and embraces a "scrappy" ethos-prioritizing creativity, resourcefulness, and mission-driven innovation. The organization values collaboration across departments and seeks candidates who thrive in team-oriented environments, are comfortable navigating ambiguity, and bring a spirit of partnership to their work.
This role is part of the leadership team and will ultimately have three direct reports. Given fundraising success, there will be the ability to hire a Director of Development to assist in fundraising responsibility in the first year. Actors Theatre has a $5 million operating budget and a staff size of 28 full time members. The position has a hybrid schedule with 70% in-person and 30% remote.
Essential Functions
Strategic Leadership and Fundraising Oversight
- Lead strategy, planning, and implementation for all fundraising programs to achieve annual and long-term contributed revenue goals, including a capital campaign. Other programs include the annual gala, Tony's Watch Party, Give for Good, and Kentucky Gives Day.
- Collaborate with the Artistic Director and Managing Director to align artistic, community, and fundraising goals.
- Manage a comprehensive development program encompassing individual, corporate, foundation, and government giving, including endowment and planned giving.
- Partner with the Board of Directors to strengthen governance and philanthropic engagement, cultivating a culture of giving and advocacy.
- Forecast contributed revenue as part of the organization's annual and multi-year budgeting process.
Individual Giving and Donor Pipeline Growth
- Design and implement an integrated individual giving program that nurtures relationships from first-time donors to major investors, using data-driven segmentation and personalized engagement.
- Prioritize small- and mid-level donor growth through recurring giving programs, social fundraising campaigns, and digital platforms.
- Steward a portfolio of top individual, corporate, and foundation donors while supporting board and executive leadership in major gift solicitations for a fundraising campaign.
Corporate and Institutional Partnerships
- Develop and steward values-aligned corporate partnerships and sponsorships that reinforce Actors Theatre's mission and community focus.
- Build strategic relationships with foundations and government funders, overseeing grant writing, reporting, and compliance.
- Collaborate with staff to identify co-branded opportunities that blend earned and contributed revenue streams.
Marketing & External Relations
- Collaborate and partner with Communications Director to grow audience engagement strategies that drive attendance, ticket sales and memberships.
- Oversee digital marketing, social media, and media placement strategies.
- Ensure consistent messaging across all platforms to reflect the theatre's mission and values.
- Build partnerships with community organizations, sponsors, and stakeholders to enhance visibility.
Community Engagement and Events
- Lead the design and execution of cultivation and stewardship events-from intimate gatherings to opening nights to large-scale fundraisers or events like the Ghost Light Gala or Storytelling Revolution Festival.
- Represent Actors Theatre at civic events, industry convenings, and community partnerships to advance awareness and support.
- Champion inclusive, joyful fundraising practices that celebrate community connection.
Team and Systems Management
- Supervise a development team made up of a Development Coordinator and Grant Writer (contract) responsible for individual, institutional, and event-based fundraising. If fundraising goals are met, there is the opportunity to hire a Director of Development to assist in fundraising and event management.
- Oversee database management, donor research, and prospect tracking systems.
- Collaborate closely with Communications to align storytelling, donor communications, and audience engagement strategies.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, business development, or philanthropy (arts/nonprofit experience preferred).
- Proven success in growing contributed revenue through both high-volume small donor programs and major gift stewardship.
- Demonstrated track record in cultivating new donors as well as stewarding existing relationships.
- Experience with capital campaigns or large-scale fundraising campaigns.
- Knowledge of current and emerging giving trends, including digital campaigns, micro-philanthropy, and social impact giving.
- Excellent relationship building, communication, and strategic thinking skills.
- Strong data literacy and ability to translate analytics into actionable strategies.
- Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to equity, transparency, and curiosity.
- Passion for the organization's work and a commitment to fostering the arts and culture in our community.
- Availability for evening/weekend events aligned with production and donor calendars.
- Reliable transportation with the ability to commute to Actors Theatre as well as meeting and event spaces throughout Louisville and Kentucky.
- Access to a laptop computer, cell phone, and reliable internet.
Compensation
To Apply
Visit https://ashleyrountree.recruitpro.com/jobs/311142-41700.html
No phone calls please
