ABOUT THE CARSON CENTER:
The Carson Center for the Performing Arts, also known as The Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center, is a regional, multiple-use facility with beautiful spaces for public and private events of all types. Enjoy superb staging and near-perfect acoustics for a wide range of entertainment, cultural, and educational programming.
The mission of The Carson Center for the Performing Arts is to serve the Four Rivers region as a leader in presenting exceptional live performances and cultural experiences that are both entertaining and educational, while also being economically beneficial to our community.
The Carson Center is located in downtown Paducah, Kentucky, and overlooks the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. It is a significant component of Paducah’s downtown area revitalization and serves a diverse population from a four-state region and beyond. The Carson Center is a not-for-profit organization (501(c)(3).
THE ROLE IN A NUTSHELL
The Strategic Partnerships Coordinator strengthens the relationships that connect The Carson Center to its community and advances its mission.
This position cultivates relationships with businesses, donors, sponsors, schools, nonprofit organizations, civic groups, and other community partners. The coordinator develops sponsorship opportunities, supports membership and fundraising initiatives, coordinates community outreach, research grant opportunities, and ensures commitments to organizational partners are fulfilled.
The Strategic Partnerships Coordinator also provides direct executive and administrative support to the Executive Director and Deputy Director. This includes coordinating schedules, preparing correspondence and meeting materials, tracking priorities, and helping leadership maintain thoughtful and consistent communication with key stakeholders.
This is a highly relational role for someone who can move comfortably between public-facing engagement and detailed behind-the-scenes coordination.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Partnerships and Community Relations
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with businesses, donors, sponsors, schools, nonprofit organizations, civic groups, and community leaders.
- Identify partnership opportunities that support Carson Center performances, educational programs, fundraising activities, and community initiatives.
- Serve as a consistent point of contact for organizational partners and ensure timely, professional follow-through.
- Coordinate meetings, tours, presentations, and engagement opportunities for current and prospective partners.
- Maintain accurate records of partner interests, commitments, communications, and next steps. Help create partnerships that provide both meaningful community impact and measurable value to participating organizations.
- Represent The Carson Center at community meetings, networking opportunities, and civic events as assigned.
- Work with leadership to strengthen The Carson Center’s visibility and presence throughout the Four Rivers region.
Sponsorship Development and Fulfillment
- Develop and present sponsorship proposals and supporting materials for businesses and organizations.
- Identify prospective sponsors and coordinate cultivation and follow-up strategies.
- Maintain sponsorship records, agreements, deadlines, and benefit requirements.
- Coordinate with Marketing, Programming, Operations, and other departments to ensure all sponsorship benefits are delivered accurately and on time.
- Track sponsor recognition across printed materials, digital communications, events, signage, and hospitality experiences.
- Assist leadership with sponsorship renewals and long-term partner stewardship.
Development and Membership Support
- Coordinate membership campaigns, renewals, and engagement efforts.
- Maintain records for current, prospective, and lapsed members.
- Assist with donor and member correspondence, acknowledgment, recognition, and benefit fulfillment.
- Help develop new membership benefits and engagement opportunities.
- Support the Executive Director and Deputy Director in cultivating and stewarding donors.
- Maintain development calendars, contact lists, contribution records, and follow-up schedules.
- Help ensure donor and member information is accurate and properly documented in organizational systems.
Fundraising Initiatives and Special Events
- Coordinate fundraising initiatives and special events, including Party for a Purpose and other donor or community engagement events.
- Maintain event timelines, budgets, sponsorship records, guest lists, and planning documents. Schedule planning meetings, prepare agendas, document decisions, and track follow-up responsibilities.
- Develop sponsorship packages and coordinate the fulfillment of all promised benefits. Assist with event design, décor, staging, hospitality, and overall guest experience.
- Coordinate staff and volunteer assignments for event setup, execution, and breakdown.
- Maintain detailed event records from initial planning through post-event evaluation.
- Assist leadership with donors, sponsors, and VIP communications before and after events.
Community Outreach and Engagement
- Develop and strengthen relationships with schools, nonprofit organizations, senior groups, civic organizations, businesses, and community partners.
- Coordinate Carson Center participation in community events, presentations, and outreach opportunities.
- Represent The Carson Center through organizations such as Rotary Club of Paducah and the McCracken County Community Career Endowment.
- Identify new opportunities to connect Carson Center programming with regional audiences and community needs.
- Assist with Access Arts and Fund the Need partnerships that connect donors with participating schools and organizations.
- Maintain outreach contact lists, participation records, and community engagement data.
- Work with Marketing to communicate partnership activities and community impact.
Grants and Institutional Support
- Research local, state, regional, and federal funding opportunities aligned with Carson Center programs and priorities.
- Assist with preparing and submitting grant applications, supporting materials, and letters of inquiry.
- Maintain a calendar of application deadlines, reporting requirements, and supporting documentation.
- Coordinate with leadership and other departments to collect program, attendance, financial, and demographic information.
- Maintain accurate grant records and assist with interim and final reports.
- Support applications to national and local foundations and civic organizations.
Executive and Administrative Support
- Provide direct administrative support to the Executive Director and Deputy Director.
- Coordinate calendars, appointments, meetings, travel arrangements, and internal deadlines. Prepare correspondence, briefing materials, agendas, presentations, reports, and other
documents.
- Help leadership track commitments, decisions, follow-up items, and organizational priorities.
- Coordinate meetings with donors, sponsors, board members, community leaders, and external partners.
- Assist with meeting preparation, hospitality, note-taking, and distribution of follow-up materials.
- Screen and route communications appropriately while maintaining timely responses.
- Organize files and records related to development, partnerships, executive activities, and special projects.
- Handle sensitive organizational and relationship information with discretion and professionalism.
- Anticipate administrative needs and help leadership remain organized, prepared, and responsive.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TABLE
Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit administration, fundraising, communications, public relations, business, arts administration, or related field preferred.
- Three or more years of experience in development, community relations, executive support, nonprofit administration, hospitality, sales, or related areas.
- Experience cultivating professional relationships with businesses, donors, nonprofit organizations, or community leaders.
- Experience coordinating meetings, events, projects, schedules, or executive priorities.
- Experience with sponsorships, fundraising, grants, memberships, or community engagement is preferred.
Skills
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong relationship building and customer service abilities.
- Excellent organization, time management, and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, relationships, and deadlines simultaneously.
- Strong professional judgment and ability to handle confidential information.
- Ability to write compelling proposals, correspondence, reports, and presentation materials.
- Confident public speaking and presentation skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort learning constituent databases and organizational systems.
- Experience with Tessitura, Canva, Adobe InDesign, or Adobe Photoshop is helpful.
Mindset
- Warm, personable, and comfortable engaging with people from different backgrounds.
- Professionally polished without being rigid or impersonal.
- Proactive and able to anticipate needs before they become urgent.
- Persistent and thoughtful in maintaining relationships and following through commitments.
- Comfortable shifting between visible community engagement and detailed administrative work.
- Discreet, dependable, and trusted with sensitive information.
- Flexible and willing to support priorities beyond a narrow job description.
- Committed to the role the performing arts can play in education, connection, and community life.
BONUS POINTS FOR...
- Established relationships with businesses, schools, civic organizations, or nonprofit partners in the Four Rivers region.
- Experience in a performing arts organization, cultural institution, nonprofit, educational setting, or membership organization.
- Successful experience securing sponsorships, grants, memberships, or charitable contributions.
- Experience supporting senior executives or organizational leadership.
- Familiarity with Tessitura or another constituent relationship management system.
- Experience coordinating donor, sponsor, VIP, or community engagement events.
WHY JOIN US?
- Compensation: This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $50,000 - $55,000, depending on experience.
- Health & Wellness: Benefits include group health, dental and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, paid time off, paid holidays, and 401k match.
- Community Impact: This position helps build relationships and resources that bring exceptional performances, educational experiences, and community programming to the Four Rivers region.
- Meaningful Work: You will work directly with organizational leadership and community partners to help shape The Carson Center’s future.
Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
