Director of Development

Director of Development
Cain Center for the Arts – Cornelius, North Carolina
About Cain Center for the Arts
Cain Center for the Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enriching the Lake Norman region through visual and performing arts and community engagement. Since its founding in 2016, the Center has grown into a vibrant cultural hub, operating two facilities in downtown Cornelius, NC.
In January 2023, Cain Center opened a new 34,000 sq. ft. arts and community facility featuring a 400-seat theater, gallery, studios, classrooms, and public green space. The organization is currently expanding through the “Sculpting the Future” campaign, which includes the renovation of historic homes into a cultural block with administrative offices, a courtyard, and a ceramics building.
In FY 2024–2025, Cain Center served over 30,000 people and launched its 2030 Strategic Plan to double its impact. To support this growth, Cain Center seeks a visionary Director of Development to lead fundraising efforts and help achieve long-term sustainability.
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Position Summary
The Director of Development will lead all fundraising initiatives to support Cain Center’s mission and strategic growth. As a key member of the strategic leadership team, this role will oversee individual giving, corporate and foundation support, government grants, and signature fundraising events.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director will manage a talented development team and collaborate closely with senior leadership and the Board of Directors. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of arts and culture in the Lake Norman region.
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Key Responsibilities
• Lead strategic planning and execution of fundraising initiatives for operating, capital, and programmatic goals.
• Oversee individual, corporate, foundation, and government fundraising efforts.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, sponsors, and funding partners.
• Supervise and mentor development staff (Senior Development Associate and Development Assistant).
• Align fundraising strategies with organizational priorities in collaboration with leadership.
• Develop donor communications, solicitation strategies, and recognition programs.
• Analyze fundraising data to inform strategy and improve outcomes.
• Ensure effective use of donor database systems and maintain accurate records.
• Represent Cain Center at community events and donor engagements.
• Support fundraising efforts for two new facilities in addition to the existing Cain Center.
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Qualifications & Experience
• 5–10 years of experience in nonprofit development, preferably in arts or cultural organizations.
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role with a proven track record of meeting revenue goals.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, communications, public relations, or related field.
• Passion for and knowledge of the performing and visual arts.
• Experience designing and implementing fundraising strategies for organizations with budgets of $3.5M+.
• Proven success securing major gifts from individuals, foundations, government agencies, and corporations.
• Strong data management skills and experience with donor databases.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Creative, strategic thinker with strong leadership and team-building abilities.
• Experience working with executives, senior staff, and volunteer leaders.
• Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
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Additional Information
• Office-based role with flexibility for hybrid work.
• Some evenings and weekends required for events.
• May involve light physical activity (e.g., event setup).
• Successful reference and background check required.
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Compensation & Benefits
• Salary range: $100,000–$110,000, based on experience.
• Benefits include:
• Paid time off and holidays
• Employer-sponsored health insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Professional development support
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FLSA Status
Full-Time, Exempt
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Equal Opportunity Statement
Cain Center for the Arts actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates. The Cain Center for the Arts is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.
To Apply
Candidates should visit www.cainarts.org/job-opportunities to apply