Director of Engagement with opportunity for advancement
ABOUT JOSEPHINE SCULPTURE PARK
Founding Director, Melanie VanHouten, created the Josephine Sculpture Park (JSP) in 2009 as a way to
bring people together to experience the arts and nature by reimagining her grandparents' family farm.
Today, the park is home to nearly 80 ever-changing artworks across 40 acres of native meadows, fields,
and forests. JSP is Kentucky’s only sculpture park. Our mission is to connect people to each other and the
land through the arts by providing creative arts and nature experiences to the community and
transformative opportunities to artists while conserving the beauty of Kentucky’s rural landscape. It is our
hope that we can be a leader in our community that respects and reflects all voices and ideas through
shared, creative experiences and responsible land stewardship practices. Through educational and artistic
programming, JSP is a space where everyone should feel safe and welcome to play, create, grow, and heal
together. We believe the arts are for everyone.
THE OPPORTUNITY
JSP is seeking a Director of Engagement (DOE). This role is full-time and hybrid. The ideal candidate is a
visionary leader with a passion for fundraising, engagement, strategic growth and financial expertise who
also appreciates the community impact of Josephine Sculpture Park. This is a very unique growth
opportunity as JSP intends to transition the DOE to a Co-Executive Director role working in conjunction
with the existing ED who will transition to a more artistic role for JSP. As the DOE, the candidate will work in
direct collaboration with the ED to provide strategic direction for this $1.0M organization to build and
sustain strong relationships across stakeholders, enhance community involvement, drive awareness and
engagement amongst donors and expand the organization’s visibility. The DOE will develop and execute an
annual fundraising plan and pursue JSP’s ongoing effort to identify, cultivate, acquire, and steward existing
and new donors for the organization. Along with fundraising efforts, the DOE will be charged with
implementing plans to increase awareness, and in turn increase membership and visitors. As the DOE
transitions to the Co-Executive Director role they will be tasked with additional leadership responsibilities,
such as overseeing organizational strategy, operational execution, staff management and financial
sustainability.
CANDIDATE PROFILE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
YEAR ONE
FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT
● Manage and grow JSP’s philanthropic family and donor base. Oversee and execute prospect/donor
identification, cultivation, visitations, and solicitation campaigns, designed to obtain funds from
individuals, foundations, corporations, governments, etc.
● With input and support from the Executive Director, the DOE will evaluate and execute an annual
fundraising plan for JSP which includes strategies for individual donors, major gifts, planned giving,
grants, membership, events and sponsorships.
● Manage an annual development budget of ~$65-70K to meet budgetary needs and organizational
goals (includes fundraising events).
● Plan and execute engagement events, campaigns, and initiatives that drive community involvement
and donor participation.
● Work closely with the Administrative Manager to optimize the donor database system (Bloomerang
& QGiv). Oversee maintenance of accurate and up-to-date information pertaining to
funders/donors, deadlines, and records.
● Work with the board and staff to identify potential donors through research, contact with existing
donors, and other sources of information.
● Collaborate with the Executive Director on relationship cultivation, stewardship programs and small
events throughout the year.
● Secure sponsorships and oversee sponsor recognition and benefits for relevant events.
● Secure new program-specific sponsors/donors.
● Provide input to and collaborate with the Grants Manager to identify new granting organizations and
build relationships with foundations and corporations as needed to successfully secure new grant
funding.
BOARD ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT
● Strengthen and expand the board of directors through recruitment, engagement, and board
training.
● Identify committee needs for JSP and recruit Board members to take an active role on those
committees.
● Understand and make recommendations for improved board engagement as it relates to board
terms, nominating and governance committees, etc.
● Develop a culture of philanthropy among the board.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNITY RELATIONS
● Develop and implement engagement strategies to strengthen relationships with stakeholders,
donors, business owners and community leaders.
● Serve as a key public voice of the organization, maintaining strong communication and alignment
with stakeholders and potential donors.
● Represent the organization at events, conferences, and meetings to build visibility and credibility.
● Cultivate relationships with corporate partners, local businesses, and government agencies to
create meaningful collaboration.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
● Develop and execute an annual strategic marketing and communication plan with input from
Marketing Associate, considering audience and budget ensuring we can reach diverse audiences.
● Oversee all external communications, including marketing, social media, and newsletters.
● Collaborate with board and staff to develop messaging that aligns with the organization's mission
and goals, ensures brand consistency, and strengthens our public presence in order to amplify
year-round donor communications and digital marketing strategy.
● Develop a culture of cohesive and compelling storytelling amongst the staff, board and donors.
● Through a detailed marketing and communication strategy, promote park awareness resulting in an
increase in visitors and membership, both locally and nationally.
● Create a digital and print media plan, leveraging social media, e-newsletter, print ads, etc.
● Oversee and maintain accurate public donor acknowledgement lists on JSP website and any print
or digital content.
● Oversee accurate acknowledgement of donors, grantors, sponsors, etc. across media and at
events where appropriate.
STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP
● In conjunction with the BOD and the ED, develop organizational values statements and policies
specifically supporting our belief that the arts are for everyone.
● Review the current JSP business model to outline strengths and weaknesses and make appropriate
recommendations for future growth.
● Create a strategy with the ED to learn and transition additional operational responsibilities, including
financial planning, team development, revenue generation, and program assessment.
● Supervise the Grants Manager and Marketing Associate.
Year Two
If stated and agreed upon goals are met, this role will transition to a co-executive director role in year two.
Many of the responsibilities will remain, however this role will have greater ability for decision making,
strategy and oversight of the management of JSP. Co-ED responsibilities will be divided between the
current Executive Director and this role in the following manner:
● DOE will transition to focus on administration and operations with a possible title of
Managing Director and appropriate salary increase.
● The current ED will transition to focus on artistic and programmatic direction with a possible
title of Artistic Director.
QUALIFICATIONS
● Minimum 5+ years in engagement, stakeholder relations, nonprofit leadership, or community
development. Prior executive leadership experience is preferred.
● Strong fundraising, relationship-building, communication and public speaking expertise.
● Ability to transition into an executive leadership role while fostering long-term sustainability.
● Demonstrated ability to lead teams, mentor staff, and manage organizational growth.
● Passion for the organization’s work and a commitment to fostering the arts, environment and
culture in our community.
● Proven track record of building and maintaining annual fundraising efforts.
● Demonstrable success working across diverse communities, building alliances, and cultivating
relationships with and soliciting funds from foundations, corporations, government agencies, and
individuals.
● Proven success working with a nonprofit Board of Directors.
● Proven experience leading and managing a capital campaign.
● Bachelor's Degree in a related field is preferred.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
JSP is prepared to offer a salary in the range of $65,000 – $70,000, commensurate with experience. Full
time employee benefits include a very generous PTO policy (~36 days), flexible and professional
scheduling, health care stipend, professional development stipend, professional development opportunities
with the team, and a hybrid work environment. Opportunity for advancement to co-executive director in
year 2 with additional salary determined at that time.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ashley|Rountree and Associates has been exclusively retained by JSP to oversee this search. To apply for
this position please submit a cover letter and resume here. For confidential questions or inquiries, contact
Susan Francke at sfrancke@ashleyrountree.com.
JSP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender, race, age, creed, sexual
orientation, or any other protected class.