Position Summary
The Associate Director serves as a key member of DanceCollab’s leadership team, strategic partner to the Executive Director, and the organization’s second-in-command. This position provides leadership in fundraising, organizational operations, and cross-department coordination to ensure the successful implementation of the organization's mission and strategic goals. The Associate Director leads donor engagement and fundraising efforts while supporting organizational planning, operational systems, and strategic initiatives that strengthen organizational sustainability and impact.
Organization & Position Snapshot
Annual budget: $650,000
Staff: 3 Full Time / 7 Part-time / 40 contracted Teaching Artists
Participants served annually: 3,300
Reports to: Executive Director
Supervises: Grant Coordinator
Collaborates With: Program Directors, Communications Director, Administrative Staff, Volunteers, Board, and external partners.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy & Development
- Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals and mission.
- Identify donor segments, establish annual revenue targets, and track progress toward fundraising goals.
- Lead donor cultivation, stewardship, and retention efforts through meaningful relationship building, donor communication, acknowledgment systems, and engagement strategies
- Build and maintain meaningful relationships with current and prospective donors through personalized outreach and regular engagement (minimum quarterly contact).
- Ensure timely and appropriate acknowledgment of all gifts, including thank-you communications and donor recognition.
- Develop donor communication materials, templates, and stewardship systems.
- Identify, research, and cultivate major donors, foundation partners, and corporate sponsors.
- Develop tailored proposals and pitches for high-impact fundraising opportunities.
- Plan and execute fundraising events, including one major annual event and smaller cultivation events tied to performances and programs.
- Host donor gatherings, volunteer orientations, and engagement events to support retention and pipeline growth.
Organizational Leadership & Operations
- Coordinate organizational priorities, strategic initiatives, and performance metrics to support effective implementation of organizational goals.
- Serve as the Executive Director’s primary leadership partner in strategic planning, organizational problem-solving, and execution of key initiatives while helping advance organizational priorities and ensuring continuity of leadership when appropriate.
- Support development and implementation of organizational policies, procedures, and systems.
- Coordinate with outsourced HR, accounting, payroll, and compliance partners to support organizational operations.
- Coordinate organizational systems, workflows, and internal processes to support efficient and effective operations.
- Assist with organizational and program budget planning, monitoring, and forecasting in collaboration with the Executive Director.
- Support continuity of day-to-day operations and communication when the Executive Director is unavailable, within delegated authority.
- Exercise delegated operational authority within parameters established by the Executive Director.
Grants & Financial Oversight
- Oversee the Grant Coordinator to ensure alignment with fundraising strategy and organizational priorities.
- Support the full grant lifecycle, including review, submission oversight, compliance, and reporting.
- Monitor grant performance and ensure alignment with program budgets and funding requirements.
- Track and analyze fundraising and grant performance to identify trends and inform strategy.
- Prepare reports for the Executive Director and Board of Directors on fundraising progress and organizational performance.
Team Leadership & Staff Support
- Lead and support development-related functions and provide guidance to the Grant Coordinator.
- Foster a collaborative, mission-driven staff culture focused on accountability and innovation.
- Partner with program and communications staff to align fundraising, marketing, and storytelling efforts.
- Support staff engagement initiatives, including appreciation, recognition, and team-building efforts.
- Support staff development, organizational effectiveness, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Volunteer & Community Engagement
- Manage volunteer onboarding, documentation, and communication systems.
- Maintain ongoing relationships with volunteers and ensure clear roles, expectations, and engagement.
- Represent the organization in community meetings, networking events, partner events, conferences, and performances.
- Strengthen visibility and partnerships through consistent external engagement.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit leadership, development, fundraising, operations, or a related field.
- Experience supervising staff and/or managing cross-functional projects or programs.
- Proven success in major gift fundraising, donor cultivation, annual giving, and event planning.
- Experience developing or managing organizational or program budgets preferred.
- Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate goals into actionable plans.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and drive initiatives forward.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Proficiency with donor databases and Google Workspace tools.
- Experience interpreting financial and performance data to support decision-making.
Additional Requirements & Expectations
- Must reside in Greenville, SC and engage in in-person donor and community relationship building.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends for events, programs, and performances.
- Ability to travel locally and approximately four times per year to Raleigh, NC.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
- High level of initiative, responsiveness, and adaptability.
- Commitment to the mission and values of Dance Collaborative.
- Works closely with the Executive Director and contributes to a collaborative leadership culture.
Compensation
- Annual Salary: $50,000
- Annual performance review with potential for salary increase
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Retirement and healthcare stipend provided (no formal benefits package at this time)
Pay: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Greenville, SC 29616
