Director of Philanthropy + Public Affairs

Starlight is Kansas City’s oldest and largest outdoor performing arts organization, stewarding a $20M annual budget and a year-round staff of 45 full-time employees alongside hundreds of seasonal team members and volunteers. As a civic treasure and cultural destination, Starlight presents Broadway musicals, concerts, special events and community programming that collectively reach hundreds of thousands of guests each year through approximately 100 events annually.

The Director of Philanthropy Public Affairs is Starlight’s philanthropy team leader—responsible for managing a team of individual contributors and translating fundraising strategy into coordinated, accountable execution. This role owns the operational health of the department: building systems, managing people, driving KPIs, and ensuring the contributed revenue pipeline moves with discipline and clarity across annual giving, events, government relations, and grants.

The Director works in close partnership with the Chief Engagement and Growth Officer as well as the Senior Philanthropy Strategist—a senior individual contributor who manages Starlight’s highest-value donor relationships. Together, they function as a complementary leadership unit: the Director brings team management and operational rigor; the Senior Philanthropy Strategist brings deep donor relationships and major gift expertise. Success in this role requires the ability to manage experienced fundraisers, build trust quickly with existing stakeholders, and drive results through others.

Required Accountabilities Deliverables

Team Leadership Department Management

• Directly manage the philanthropy team, providing clear expectations, regular feedback, and professional development support.

• Set and track departmental KPIs in collaboration with the Senior Philanthropy Strategist and Chief Experience Growth Officer; produce regular progress reporting against annual contributed revenue goals; KPIs include fundraising efficiency metrics, portfolio retention and new acquisition, team productivity and data discipline metrics, and government and grant secured vs. pipeline targets.

• Establish and maintain department-wide systems for donor documentation, acknowledgment timelines, data integrity, and Tessitura best practices; Coordinate with Finance on reconciliation, grant compliance, and reporting accuracy.

• Provide support for management of seasonal intern and facilitate cross-departmental coordination as needed.

• Lead regular team meetings and create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Contributed Revenue Strategy Execution

• Own the execution of Starlight’s annual contributed revenue plan, including annual fund campaigns, corporate giving, government grants, and philanthropic events.

• Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 40–60 mid-level and institutional donors, with responsibility for solicitation, stewardship, and renewal.

• Coordinate closely with the Senior Philanthropy Strategist to align major gift strategy, campaign sequencing, and donor pipeline management across the full spectrum of giving levels.

• Oversee the Starlight Gala and Starry Night at Starlight from a team coordination and logistics standpoint.

Public Affairs Government Relations

• Support Starlight CEO as Starlight’s primary relationship manager for elected officials, municipal agencies, and civic organizations—while working to grow and maintain relationships that support public funding, policy alignment, and community visibility.

• Oversee and ensure public funding strategies and grant pipelines are actively managed, documented, and reported.

• Represent Starlight in relevant civic forums and community tables as appropriate.

Organizational Leadership

• Actively participate in meetings and cross-functional planning that intersects with philanthropy and public affairs.

• Serve as a thought partner to the Chief Experience Growth Officer and Senior Philanthropy Strategist on department strategy and resource allocation.

• Embrace Starlight’s mission, vision, and values, and model organizational culture for the philanthropy team.

The above listing is not all-inclusive; other duties may be assigned to meet the evolving needs of the organization.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills Abilities

• Demonstrated experience managing a fundraising team with multiple direct reports across different functional areas.

• Proven ability to build internal systems and drive team accountability in a metrics-oriented environment.

• Working knowledge of arts and culture nonprofits and fundraising best practices.

• Working knowledge of the Kansas City philanthropic and civic landscape.

• Familiarity with Microsoft applications, Acumatica, and Tessitura CRM/ticketing platform.

• Strong project management and financial analysis skills.

• Exceptional communication, meeting facilitation, and relationship-building skills.

• Clear ability to articulate passion for performing arts and community engagement.

Preferred Education and/or Work Experience

• BA in a relevant field AND 7 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising.

• Minimum 3–5 years in a management or supervisory role with direct reports.

Working Conditions Physical Requirements

Primarily office-based during standard business hours (Monday–Friday), with regular evening and weekend work required during performances and special events. Frequent on-site presence across an outdoor campus, including extended periods of walking, standing, and working in varying weather conditions. Due to the nature of Starlight’s business, after-hours availability and timely communication is required in urgent or emergency situations. This role is eligible for remote work per Starlight protocols.

Come join an organization that offers the following three-tier benefits package:

Starlight Physical Wellness

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance paid by employer

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Awarded Silver level certification from KC Chamber of Commerce for 2025 Healthy KC Workplace Wellness

Starlight Emotional Wellness

Paid Time Off (up to 10 days in first year)

Paid Holidays (including Thanksgiving, winter holiday (Dec. 25-Jan. 1) and 5 floating holidays of your choice)

Employee Assistance Program

Personal Leave of Absence up to 4 weeks

Starlight Financial Wellness

401(k) Retirement Savings Program

Life Insurance

Family Leave up to 4 weeks at 100% pay

125 Cafeteria Plan

Starlight Theatre Association is an Equal Employment Opportunity organization. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.

Starlight supports an environment that values and respects the experiences and contributions of its employees, volunteers, partners and community members. We encourage and welcome applicants of groups that are historically underrepresented in the American theatre industry.

For more information about our accessible workplace, including disability accommodations for the application process and beyond, please email starlightjobs@kcstarlight.com.

Starlight Theatre Association of Kansas City, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization with a mission to connect our community through live arts experiences that entertain, inspire, and engage.