Reports To: Executive Artistic Director

Areas of Focus: The Director of Development is a crucial ambassador between the organization and the community, tasked with sharing Actors Theatre’s institutional narrative with donors, prospects, and partners in such a way that it is accessible and nuanced and always in alignment with the mission, vision, and values.

The Director of Development will facilitate growing revenue and social capital as they prospect and maintain donor portfolios, build donor pipelines, and execute personalized solicitation and stewardship strategies in collaboration with leadership.

Focus will be on the stewardship of donor segments as well as corporate relationship building, sponsorship development and earned income generation. This person will bring supporters through a long-term development cycle for increased engagement and support over time through in-person meetings, small gatherings, events and performances at Actors Theatre of Louisville. The Director of Development will work across departments with a high-level of collaboration internally and externally and as an engaged, active member of the community.

To Apply: Email resume, cover letter, and an intro video (30-90 seconds introducing who you are and why you’re interested in the position) to with subject line Director of Development Submission.

Details:

About Actors Theatre of Louisville:

Actors Theatre of Louisville’s mission is to unlock human potential, build community, and enrich quality of life through programming that reflects the wonder and complexity of our time.

Now in its 60th season, and 50 as the State Theatre of Kentucky, Actors Theatre remains dedicated to serving the local and global community by participating in the creation of a more just and inclusive society. Actors Theatre’s work strategically centers experiences that reflect a civic commitment to the social good and to the health and wellness of the many constituents it serves. In pursuing a synthesis of art and service, the interdisciplinary laboratory intersects art, emergent technology, and social transformation for a storytelling (r)evolution. Actors Theatre uplifts stories and amplifies voices that represent myriad perspectives, especially those historically excluded, seeking to connect and learn from a diversity of people, ideas, and cultures through our work. Grounded in equitable practices and the work toward our collective liberation, we strive to cultivate a welcoming space of belonging for all.

Actors Theatre of Louisville sits on the unceded land of many Indigenous communities including the Shawnee, Eastern band of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Osage people.

Summary of Position:

The Director of Development is a crucial ambassador between the organization and the community, tasked with sharing Actors Theatre’s institutional narrative with donors, prospects, and partners in such a way that it is accessible yet nuanced and always in alignment with the mission, vision, and values.

The Director of Development will facilitate growing revenue and social capital as they prospect and maintain donor portfolios, build donor pipelines, and execute personalized solicitation and stewardship strategies in collaboration with leadership. Focus will be on the stewardship of individual list segments as well as corporate relationship building, sponsorship development and earned income generation.

Coordinate stewardship to bring donors though long-term development cycle for increased engagement and support over time through in-person meetings, small gatherings, events and performances at Actors Theatre of Louisville. The Director of Development will work across departments with a high level of collaboration internally and externally and as an engaged, active member of the community.

This is a hybrid position with an average of 70% of work being in-person and 30% of work being remote. Working alongside Actors Theatre of Louisville’s fund development, production and events schedule, this position requires availability on some nights and weekends.

The ideal candidate will:

• Embrace Actors Theatre of Louisville’s commitment to creating spaces of belonging, coalition building with the community and the intersection of arts and wellness.
• Be an integral part of a small and mighty staff that is inspired to work in flexible, creative, and innovative ways.
• Embody a life-long learning approach and curiosity before coming to conclusions. The Director of Development will be solution oriented and able to build new processes.
• Foster a positive team culture across the organization. Leading with accountability and integrity, while acquiring respect through their actions and decisions. Be self-motivated, self-sufficient, culturally competent with humility, and adaptable in a variably paced, frequently changing environment where situations and needs must be met with timely and proactive responses and actions.

The Essential Functions include, but are not limited to, the following:
Philanthropic and Earned Revenue Development

Grow philanthropy funding and earned revenuethrough multiple channels with a focus on advancing individual and corporate giving. Continue to develop institutional giving, including growth of sponsorships and earned income in coordination with leadership.

Prospect Research, Donor Portfolio Management, and Relationship Stewardship

Prospect and maintain donor portfolios, build donor pipelines, and execute personalized solicitation and stewardship strategies for donors and supporters in collaboration with leadership. Leverage historical data to create a data-driven engagement and stewardship plan. Coordinate moves management to bring supporters through a long-term development cycle for increased engagement and support over time.

Manage a strategic donor stewardship plan that appropriately acknowledges and stewards all gifts and recognizes and engages donors in a highly customized and tailored process. Collaborate with the communications team to strategize donor-specific communications, contribution recognition opportunities, giving campaign communications, and other aligned opportunities for increased engagement from prospects, donors, and institutional partners.

Events and Community Engagement:

Collaborate with the producing team on the planning and execution point of entry, donor cultivation and stewardship events. Organize and implement special fundraising campaigns as needed. Attend performances and events to meet, greet, and thank supporters and community members.

Financial Forecasting and Budgeting:

Provide advice/input in revenue and expense forecasts and assist in the budgeting process, including revenue goals and expenses. Collaborate with the Director of Finance and account providers to collect information for financial statements, annual audit, monthly reports and impact reports. Provide necessary support to ensure accurate financial reporting.

Professional Development and Commitment:Demonstrate a passion for the arts, interest in developing leadership skills, and a career trajectory. Showcase commitment to social justice and art activism. Engage in ongoing self-reflection, awareness, and analysis-building.

Other duties as assigned by Executive Artistic Director

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree and/or 3-5 years of relevant experience in non-profits and/or business development and/or revenue stream growth and/or fund development (including knowledge of grants management) with a preference for experience in arts and culture organizations
• Ability to work and collaborate effectively with many different constituencies, including staff, guest artists, board members, contractors, and audiences.
• Strong ability to analyze and use data to drive decision-making
• Ability to prioritize appropriately and manage a hybrid work schedule with varied hours.
• Ability to work as an effective team member and maintain a positive attitude in stressful situations.
• Effective communication and collaborative skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with and engage diverse stakeholders at all locations within the organization and community
• Strong communication skills; confidently and clearly convey information and the rationale for decisions good organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work during periods of change, with a sense of calm, optimism, and pragmatism
• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word, social media/communications platforms, and a working knowledge of Blackbaud Financial Edge and Spektrix (customer relations management software), or CRM/donor management software
• Communicate using English language
• Prepare to be an integral part of a small and mighty staff that is inspired to work in flexible, creative and innovative ways. Work cross-departmentally to support and collaborate across the organization.
• Availability some nights and weekends with flexible schedule.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Embraces fundraising as the joyful practice of offering individuals the opportunity to connect deeply with issues they care about, fostering meaningful engagement and support.
• Affinity for and knowledge of the arts and theatre community, understanding its dynamics, and cultivating connections within the cultural landscape.
• Skills in planning and executing fundraising events, from small donor stewardship events to larger galas.
• A love for community and connection and the ability to cultivate relationships with community members, donors, sponsors, and other stakeholders.

To Apply:

• Email to with subject line Director of Development submission:
• Resume
• cover letter
• intro video (30-90 seconds introducing who you are and why you’re interested in the position)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Nights as needed
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• Fundraising: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Louisville, KY (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Louisville, KY: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person