Vice President of Advancement

The Long Center is Austin’s home for creativity and community. As a nonprofit performing arts center, we provide access to world-class performances, community programs, and transformative cultural experiences. Through strategic partnerships, innovative programming, and philanthropic support, the Long Center serves as a gathering place where the arts thrive and all are welcome.

The VP of Advancement is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive advancement strategy that supports the organization’s mission, strategic priorities, and long-term financial sustainability.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the Vice President of Advancement leads all fundraising and donor engagement efforts, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate sponsor ships, foundation and government grants, donor stewardship, special campaigns, and fundraising events. The Vice President works closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, Development Committee, Long Center Collective Host Committee, community leaders, donors, and corporate partners to build meaningful relationships and secure philanthropic support for the Long Center’s programs and initiatives.

This position provides strategic leadership for the Advancement Department, overseeing fundraising operations, revenue forecasting, donor engagement strategies, and advancement staff and contractors while fostering a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual advancement plan to achieve organizational fundraising goals, establishing and monitoring performance metrics and revenue forecasts.
• Lead fundraising efforts and contracting across individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsor ships, membership, foundation support, government grants, planned giving, special campaigns, naming opportunities, signature programs, and fundraising events.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, sponsors, foundations, members, and community partners.
• Oversee sponsor cultivation, solicitation, fulfillment, recognition, and renewals.
• Collaborate with staff, contractors, volunteers, and event partners to ensure fundraising events and campaigns meet revenue and engagement objectives.
• Partner with the CEO and Board to strengthen philanthropic support and expand the Long Center’s donor base.

• Serve as a primary relationship manager for key donors, sponsors, foundations, and community stakeholders.
• Develop and implement donor cultivation, stewardship, and recognition strategies that promote long-term engagement and retention.
• Prepare donor cultivation strategies, briefing materials, reports, and stewardship communications as needed.
• Represent the Long Center throughout the Austin community to strengthen visibility, partnerships, and philanthropic investment.

• Oversee donor records, gift processing, reporting, and CRM management.
• Develop annual departmental budgets and monitor fundraising performance against established goals.
• Prepare regular fundraising reports and forecasts for the CEO, Finance team, Board of Directors, and committees.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements, donor restrictions, and organizational policies.

• Establish departmental priorities, goals, workflows, and accountability measures.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for advancement staff and contractors.
• Foster a collaborative, donor-centered culture within the Advancement Department and across the organization.
• Partner with Marketing, Programming, Finance, Operations, and Executive Leadership to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO on advancement opportunities, risks, and long‑term fundraising strategy.
• Partner proactively with senior leadership peers across the organization, fostering open communication and mutual trust across departmental lines. As a member of the senior leadership team,…