Marketing & Development Director

Job Summary

The Center for the Arts is at an exciting moment of growth, and we are seeking an energetic, creative, strategic, and exceptionally strong writer to help expand the organization’s visibility, audience engagement, and contributed revenue. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Marketing & Development Director will lead the organization’s marketing, communications, public relations, funding, and audience growth efforts while supporting the long-term sustainability of the Center for the Arts.

The ideal candidate is a compelling storyteller who can effectively communicate the impact of the arts to donors, funders, sponsors, community partners, patrons, and the public through grant proposals, marketing campaigns, donor communications, and public-facing content.

The Marketing & Development Director serves as a key member of the leadership team and works collaboratively with staff, board members, sponsors, donors, foundations, community partners, and volunteers to advance the mission of the organization.

Job Responsibilities

Development & Fundraising

• Develop and implement an annual development plan that supports the Center for the Arts’ strategic goals and revenue objectives.
• Research, identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with individuals, corporations, foundations, government agencies, and community partners.
• Research, write, and submit grant proposals, sponsorship requests, and funding applications.
• Manage all grant reporting, compliance requirements, and funding deadlines.
• Maintain an annual grants calendar and development pipeline.
• Support donor cultivation and stewardship efforts through personalized communications, impact reporting, recognition initiatives, and special events.
• Assist the Executive Director in preparing fundraising materials, sponsorship proposals, donor presentations, and campaign communications.
• Track and report development metrics, grant activity, and fundraising outcomes.
• Collaborate with program staff to collect outcome data and success stories that strengthen funding requests and stewardship efforts.

Marketing & Communications

• Develop and execute comprehensive annual marketing and communications plans.
• Lead marketing campaigns for Main Stage productions, Center Stage Academy, Vocal Academy, gallery exhibits, field trip performances, fundraising events, rentals, and community programming.
• Oversee the organization’s brand identity and ensure consistency across all communication channels.
• Write and edit press releases, newsletters, annual reports, website content, email campaigns, donor communications, speeches, and other organizational messaging.
• Develop compelling stories that communicate the impact of the Center’s mission to patrons, donors, sponsors, funders, and the community.
• Manage media relations and cultivate relationships with local and regional media outlets.
• Monitor marketing performance and recommend strategies to increase attendance, enrollment, audience engagement, and community awareness.

Community Partnerships & Public Relations

• Represent the Center for the Arts at community events, networking opportunities, chamber functions, civic organizations, and arts advocacy initiatives.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with businesses, schools, government agencies, foundations, and community organizations.
• Identify and cultivate sponsorship and partnership opportunities that advance the mission and financial sustainability of the organization.
• Collaborate with community partners to expand organizational visibility and audience engagement.

Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Serve as a member of the organization’s leadership team and contribute to strategic planning and organizational initiatives.
• Supervise the Marketing & Design Coordinator and provide leadership, coaching, and performance management.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Administrative Operations Director, Program Director, and teaching artists to align marketing, development, and audience engagement strategies.
• Assist in planning and promoting fundraising events, donor stewardship activities, and community engagement initiatives.
• Develop annual marketing, communications, and development goals and evaluate progress toward organizational objectives.

Data Management & Analytics

• Maintain accurate development and marketing records using CRM and database systems.
• Track key performance indicators including attendance, enrollment, contributed revenue, grant success, audience growth, marketing analytics, and campaign effectiveness.
• Prepare reports and presentations for leadership, board committees, funders, and community stakeholders.
• Utilize data to evaluate performance and recommend continuous improvements in marketing, fundraising, and audience development strategies.

Organizational Support

• Participate in organizational events, performances, fundraising activities, and community outreach initiatives.
• Attend board meetings, committee meetings, donor events, and other organizational functions as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned that support the mission, growth, and long-term sustainability of the Center for the Arts.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, English, or a related field required.
• Minimum of two to five years of professional experience in marketing, communications, fundraising, grant writing, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to translate organizational impact into compelling grant applications, marketing campaigns, donor communications, and public relations materials.
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively for multiple audiences including funders, sponsors, donors, patrons, community leaders, and media outlets.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Experience managing marketing campaigns and communications strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with donors, sponsors, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Collaborative mindset and proven ability to work effectively within a small team environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, email marketing platforms, CRM databases, website content management systems, and social media platforms.
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising principles and ethical practices.
• Demonstrated grant-writing success, including experience securing foundation, corporate, government, or arts funding. (preferred)
• Experience creating impact narratives and translating program outcomes into compelling funding requests and reports. (preferred)
• Experience in the arts and cultural sector. (preferred)
• Experience supervising staff, contractors, interns, or volunteers. (preferred)

Additional Information

Benefits

Benefits become effective on the first day of the month following 90 days of employment. The Center for the Arts offers a competitive benefits package including:

• 100% employer-paid medical insurance

• 100% employer-paid dental insurance

• 100% employer-paid vision insurance

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy that allows employees to take paid time away from work as needed while meeting job responsibilities and organizational needs.

• Hybrid work environment with up to two remote workdays per week following successful onboarding and training.

• Professional development opportunities.

• Complimentary tickets and access to Center for the Arts programming.

The Center for the Arts offers a flexible hybrid work environment that supports collaboration and organizational effectiveness, including eligibility for up to two remote workdays per week following successful onboarding. This position requires occasional evening and weekend work for performances, fundraising events, board and community meetings, and special events, as well as occasional local travel; the role also requires the ability to walk, stand, bend, and lift or carry items weighing up to 30 pounds.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Regina Ward, Executive Director, at View email address on cnemt.org. Please include “Marketing & Development Director Application” in the subject line of your email.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the position is filled.

Details

• Date Posted: July 1, 2026
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Communications / Marketing / PR
• Service Area: Arts / Culture
• Start Date: 09/07/2026
• Salary Range: 50,000.00-65,000.00
• Working Hours: 40 hrs/wk; M-F, 9:00 am - 5:00pm