Discovery Center at Murfree Spring
Director of Philanthropy and Marketing
Discovery Center at Murfree Spring
Job Summary
Nature and Scope of Position: The Director of Philanthropy & Marketing provides leadership and strategic direction to increase revenue and brand awareness through effective strategies for funding and marketing the mission and vision of the Discovery Center. The Director is responsible for advancing the organization’s philanthropic goals through innovative development initiatives and cultivating meaningful donor and community relationships. Additionally, the Director oversees all marketing and brand strategies to ensure consistent, compelling messaging and public engagement.
Job Responsibilities
Key Areas of Responsibility
Philanthropy & Fundraising
● Collaborate with the CFO and VP of Philanthropy to set revenue goals, manage fundraising budgets, and track performance metrics.
● Plan and oversee fundraising and donor events, primarily the Secret Garden Party, including event strategy, budgets, logistics, and stakeholder engagement to maximize both revenue and community impact.
● Plan, supervise, and grow Discovery Center’s individual giving program.
● Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners to strengthen
long-term philanthropic support.
● Write, submit, and secure general operating and capacity building grants. Write and submit the associated
grant reports.
● Work with the Board of Trustee’s Development Committee to review, monitor and assess fund raising
programs, and identify meaningful ways for Board members to participate in revenue-generating
activities.
● Oversee donor database management, ensuring accurate records, timely acknowledgments, and
actionable reporting to inform strategy with the support of the Executive & Administrative Systems
Coordinator.
● Oversee the Young Leaders Council and volunteer programs with the support of the Executive &
Administrative Systems Coordinator and Visitor Services Specialist.
Marketing
● Collaborate across departments to craft impactful messaging and storytelling to convey the organization’s mission, programs, and community impact.
● Create, produce, and distribute marketing materials such as press releases, newsletters, social media posts, and publications (print and digital), and ensure the consistent use of all print and electronic branding assets such as letterhead and logos.
● Manage content development and maintain the website.
● Utilize and maintain software applications
● Team with the CEO and Vice President of Philanthropy, to manage and maintain community relationships
with all key stakeholders and potential partners, which will include public speaking and training
presentations.
● Oversee media relations and publicity efforts to promote the agency under the direction of the CEO.
Other Duties:
● Attend monthly staff meetings and ExCEL meetings
● Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Competencies
Leadership
Strong organizational skills Data-driven decision maker Collaborative
Team player
Customer service oriented Ability to meet tight deadlines Strong interpersonal and communication skills Self-starter
Independent worker
Project management Timeliness & punctuality Motivator
Flexibility
Requirements
● Bachelor’s Degree required and a minimum of 5 years in fundraising and/or marketing is required.
● Evenings and weekend hours are required.
● Passion for building brand awareness and donor relations.
● Ability to deal directly with a large number of stakeholders and must be committed to treating everyone
associated with Discovery Center — from Discovery Center’s top donors to all staff — with respect and care.
● Ability to organize forces and motivate people to action.
● Ability to relate to persons of all ages, diverse backgrounds, skills and abilities.
● Ability to communicate effectively in all modes of communication.
● Excellent skills in organizing work groups and managing and motivating staff and volunteers to
work under the specific time constraints of a major event.
● Extreme grace under pressure.
● This job requires periods of standing, sitting, walking, use of hands and arms, bending, lifting, use of
computer and keyboard, listening and speaking in person and on the phone.
● Noise level varies from quiet to loud
● Temperature varies from hot to cold
Discovery Center is committed to creating and maintaining an equitable workplace in which all employees have a chance to participate and contribute to the success of the organization and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. A workplace where employees of all races, religions, political affiliations, sexual orientations, gender identities, ability, and age, find an opportunity.
Additional Information
Benefits
Health, dental, vision with DC covering a portion of the health premiums
Vacation, sick, bereavement, parental, and holiday paid time off
Long term disability insurance paid for 100% by Discovery Center
Workers compensation insurance coverage
401k with up to 3% match
$20,000 of life insurance
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter to Lindsey Jennings, Vice President of Philanthropy, at ljennings@explorethedc.org.
Details
- Date Posted: October 17, 2025
- Type: Full-Time
- Job Function: Communications / Marketing / PR
- Service Area: Arts / Culture
- Start Date: 12/08/2025
- Salary Range: $50,000 - $60,000
- Working Hours: 40 hrs/wk; M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm