Engagement Director

Description

We are. . .

a fantastic creative team committed to making Charlottesville a better place for all our citizens! Light House Studio equips young people with the skills and confidence to tell their stories and build community through filmmaking. Located on Charlottesville’s bustling downtown mall in the historic Vinegar Hill Theatre, our staff is making a big difference for young people in our city. Watch one of our students’ award-winning movies or come to a screening of a unique independent film, and you are likely to leave feeling informed, inspired, and connected.

Position Description:

Engagement Director plans, organizes, and directs Light House Studio’s fundraising including grant writing, annual fund, some event fundraising, and sponsorships and assists the Executive Director with major gifts.  The successful candidate is an experienced development professional with excellent communication skills, a can-do attitude, enthusiasm for working on a creative team, and a passion for our mission of transforming young lives through the power of film.

Job Duties

• manage and write all grant applications on deadline, including preparing applications, tracking proposal requirements, and communication with prospective grantmakers
• identify, develop, and secure foundation and corporate gifts through visits, research, donor database management, and networking
• Increase donor retention (foundation & corporations) and advancement through timely and creative donor stewardship
• design and execute an annual giving campaign to meet or exceed annual targets         – assist Executive Director “behind-the-scenes” with individual asks
• assist Executive Director with grants, foundation and corporate asks in closing the Vinegar Hill Theatre Capital Campaign
• work with Light House staff to track and promote programmatic achievements through press and our Annual Report
• Liaise with Production Manager and suggest student survey changes based on marketing and grantmakers’ needs
• Oversee Database – update or oversee others updating the database
• Execute press releases

Skills Required

• an excellent written and oral communicator
• an enthusiastic team player with the ability to work independently and take initiative
• adept at juggling and prioritizing multiple complex projects, meeting deadlines, and adapting to changing priorities and needs
• an experienced fundraiser familiar with the nonprofit world, with the ability and desire to research new funding opportunities
• strong organizational skills

• a Bachelor’s Degree and a proven track record of fundraising experience
• proficiency in MS Office and Google’s G Suite (proficiency with Bloomerang or similar fundraising database preferred)
• marketing and/or public relations experience is a bonus

Additional Info

Send a resume, cover letter and three references to jobs@lighthousestudio.org.

Full-time and Part-time applications considered.  Salary commensurate with experience.