Development Director

The Cucalorus Film Foundation is currently seeking an experienced and mission-driven Development Director to join its team in Wilmington, North Carolina. This full-time leadership position offers the opportunity to support one of the South’s most beloved media arts organizations and to help sustain its year-round programs supporting filmmakers, performance artists, and storytellers from around the world.

The Development Director will play a key role in shaping the future of Cucalorus by nurturing relationships with sponsors, foundations, and individual donors while managing the organization’s grants, sponsorships, and development strategies. Ideal candidates will bring at least three years of experience in nonprofit development, strong communication skills, and a passion for social change through the arts.

This is not a standard 9-to-5 job. The Development Director will play a major role in planning and executing year-round events—including film screenings, fundraising gatherings, and festival programs—many of which take place on evenings and weekends. Candidates must be comfortable managing logistics under pressure, supporting front-of-house operations, and occasionally serving as host or emcee for public events. The salary range for this role is $50K- $65K, commensurate with experience.

Ideal candidates will have:

Experience writing grants, LOIs, and donor reports
A collaborative, people-first approach to fundraising and community-building
Experience coordinating events from planning to execution, with a focus on hospitality and audience experience
Familiarity with nonprofit financials and budgeting
Comfort working in fast-paced, adaptive environments with shifting priorities
This position reports to the Executive Director and plays a collaborative role across all departments at Cucalorus. Applicants should be highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and excited to take initiative in a mission-driven setting.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Those interested in applying should submit a PDF resume, a cover letter detailing development experience and at least three examples of successful funder relationships or events they’ve led. Resumes should be sent to dan@cucalorus.org.  To learn more, visit www.cucalorus.org.