Director of Advancement & External Relations - Actors Theatre of Louisville
Position Summary:
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.
SALARY RANGE: $80,000 - $110,000
TO APPLY: Please visit https://ashleyrountree.recruitpro.com/jobs/311142-41873.html