Director of Development

Tivoli Theatre Foundation, Inc.; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Tivoli Theatre Foundation, Inc. in the United States (Tennessee) seeks a seasoned Director of Development to lead all contributed revenue strategies and performance.

Reporting to the COO–EAD, this role will shape a comprehensive fundraising plan, strengthen donor engagement, and build a high-performing development team across historic venues. You will drive renewal campaigns, annual giving, memberships, sponsorships, and foundation support while aligning with marketing and programming to

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising leadership, preferably within performing arts or cultural institutions.
• Experience managing comprehensive development programs, including major gifts and donor pipeline development.
• Strong experience with Raiser’s Edge, including reporting and data management.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams while building effective systems and processes.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and judgment in all aspects of work.
• Ability to operate strategically while maintaining attention to detail and execution.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all fundraising activities, including major gifts, annual giving, membership programs, sponsorship alignment, and foundation support.
• Work collaboratively with the COO to further develop and refine a comprehensive development strategy, including departmental structure, staffing, workflows, and long-term planning.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear fundraising plans, timelines, and performance expectations.
• Maintain an active portfolio of donors and prospects, leading cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts with professionalism and consistency.
• Partner with the CEO, COO, and Board members in donor engagement, ensuring interactions are well-prepared, thoughtful, and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Lead the ongoing development and execution of the “Your Ticket to History” campaign, strengthening its positioning, structure, and donor experience while aligning with marketing and audience engagement efforts.
• Oversee prospect research, pipeline development, and moves management, ensuring disciplined tracking and consistent follow-through.
• Ensure the effective and accurate use of Raiser’s Edge, including data integrity, reporting, segmentation, and performance analysis.
• Lead efforts to strengthen data quality and CRM utilization, ensuring the organization operates with reliable, actionable information.
• Oversee development operations, including planning, forecasting, reporting, and coordination with finance and leadership teams.
• Manage, coach, and develop the development team, establishing clear expectations, accountability, and opportunities for growth.
• Work with the COO to evaluate team structure and build capacity in alignment with organizational needs.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the development function.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Programming, and Operations to ensure cohesive messaging, strong storytelling, and meaningful donor engagement experiences tied to performances and events.

Skills

Nonprofit fundraising

Major gifts

Donor stewardship

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

The Tivoli Theatre Foundation (TTF) is a leading nonprofit performing arts organization stewarding multiple historic venues and delivering a diverse range of programming including Broadway, concerts, community events, and arts education. As the organization advances through a period of significant growth and investment, it is strengthening its fundraising infrastructure to support long-term sustainability, audience expansion, and institutional impact.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Development serves as the senior leader responsible for all contributed revenue strategy, execution, and performance. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer for External Affairs & Development (COO–EAD), this position plays a central role in advancing a unified, disciplined, and forward-looking development function.

In close partnership with the COO, Chief Executive Officer, and Board of Directors, the Director will help shape and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy while strengthening internal systems, team structure, and donor engagement practices. The role requires sound judgment, discretion, and a high level of professionalism, particularly in donor-facing environments where consistency, preparation, and executive presence are essential.

A key priority of this position is the continued reinvigoration and growth of the “Your Ticket to History” campaign, ensuring it functions as a compelling, donor-centered platform for annual giving, membership engagement, and long-term philanthropic support.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide strategic leadership for all fundraising activities, including major gifts, annual giving, membership programs, sponsorship alignment, and foundation support.

Work collaboratively with the COO to further develop and refine a comprehensive development strategy, including departmental structure, staffing, workflows, and long-term planning.

Translate strategic priorities into clear fundraising plans, timelines, and performance expectations.

Maintain an active portfolio of donors and prospects, leading cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts with professionalism and consistency.

Partner with the CEO, COO, and Board members in donor engagement, ensuring interactions are well-prepared, thoughtful, and aligned with organizational priorities.

Lead the ongoing development and execution of the “Your Ticket to History” campaign, strengthening its positioning, structure, and donor experience while aligning with marketing and audience engagement efforts.

Oversee prospect research, pipeline development, and moves management, ensuring disciplined tracking and consistent follow-through.

Ensure the effective and accurate use of Raiser’s Edge, including data integrity, reporting, segmentation, and performance analysis.

Lead efforts to strengthen data quality and CRM utilization, ensuring the organization operates with reliable, actionable information.

Oversee development operations, including planning, forecasting, reporting, and coordination with finance and leadership teams.

Manage, coach, and develop the development team, establishing clear expectations, accountability, and opportunities for growth.

Work with the COO to evaluate team structure and build capacity in alignment with organizational needs.

Foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the development function.

Collaborate with Marketing, Programming, and Operations to ensure cohesive messaging, strong storytelling, and meaningful donor engagement experiences tied to performances and events.

LEADERSHIP & DONOR ENGAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS

Serve as a steady, reliable, and highly professional representative of the organization in all donor and stakeholder interactions.

Demonstrate strong preparation, situational awareness, and sound judgment in donor-facing settings, ensuring interactions reflect the organization’s standards and leadership expectations.

Contribute to building donor trust through consistency, follow-through, and thoughtful engagement strategies.

Support the broader goal of strengthening the organization’s reputation and relationships within the community and among key stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising leadership, preferably within performing arts or cultural institutions.

Experience managing comprehensive development programs, including major gifts and donor pipeline development.

Strong experience with Raiser’s Edge, including reporting and data management.

Proven ability to lead and develop teams while building effective systems and processes.

Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

High level of professionalism, discretion, and judgment in all aspects of work.

Ability to operate strategically while maintaining attention to detail and execution.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position requires regular evening and weekend availability for performances, donor events, and community engagement activities. Active presence at organizational venues and events is expected.

Or send your résumé, portfolio (or samples of your work), and a brief statement of interest to [e-mail]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.