Churchill Downs

Senior Director, Community Engagement

Churchill Downs$110K — $130K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • 7-10 years of experience in community engagement or related fields
  • Proven track record in building strategic partnerships
  • Strong understanding of civic and business landscapes
  • Experience in corporate giving and community investment strategies

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute community engagement strategies aligned with business priorities
  • Cultivate strategic relationships with key community stakeholders
  • Advise leadership on community engagement and partnership opportunities
  • Identify growth opportunities for CDI's presence in target communities
  • Lead corporate giving initiatives and manage community investment strategies
  • Collaborate with Government Relations and Communications teams for effective outreach
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of community initiatives

Benefits

  • Opportunity to influence and lead community engagement initiatives
  • Exposure to high-level stakeholders and executives
  • Engagement in meaningful community partnerships
  • Dynamic work environment focused on community impact
  • Potential for professional growth and team leadership opportunities
Full Job Description
JOB SUMMARY

Provides strategic leadership for CDI's community engagement and corporate giving initiatives. Serves as a senior representative of the Company in Louisville, Kentucky, and other key CDI communities by developing and strengthening relationships with civic, business, nonprofit, educational, and government stakeholders.

This position partners closely with Government Relations, Communications, business leaders, and the Executive Office to identify opportunities that strengthen CDI's relationships, enhance the Company's reputation, and support business objectives through strategic community partnerships, external engagement, and community investment.

The Senior Director will help position CDI as a trusted community partner by connecting the Company's business priorities with meaningful initiatives that strengthen communities, support the horse racing and gaming industries, build strategic partnerships, and create lasting economic and community impact.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develop and execute CDI's enterprise-wide community strategy, ensuring community engagement activities support the Company's long-term business priorities and reputation.
  • Serve as a senior representative of CDI and cultivate strategic relationships with civic leaders, business organizations, nonprofit executives, educational institutions, government agencies, and other key stakeholders.
  • Advise senior leadership on community engagement opportunities, emerging issues, strategic partnerships, and external relationship management.
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen CDI's presence and influence in the communities where the Company operates through strategic partnerships, executive engagement, and collaborative initiatives.
  • Lead CDI's corporate giving strategy, including oversight of charitable contributions, sponsorships, community investments, grant requests, and impact measurement.
  • Develop strategic partnerships that advance CDI's business and community priorities, strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, and enhance CDI's position and reputation in the communities where it operates.
  • Coordinate closely with Government Relations to support external relationship-building, civic engagement, and local outreach while maintaining a clear distinction between community engagement and lobbying activities.
  • Partner with Communications to identify opportunities to highlight CDI's community leadership, investments, partnerships, and positive impact through strategic storytelling and external communications.
  • Coordinate executive participation in community organizations, boards, speaking engagements, civic events, and other high-profile opportunities that strengthen CDI's relationships and visibility.
  • Work collaboratively with business units to align local community investments and partnerships with enterprise priorities while recognizing the unique needs of each operating jurisdiction.
  • Track and evaluate the impact of community investments and partnerships and provide strategic recommendations for continuous improvement.
  • Support CDI leadership on community engagement strategies related to acquisitions, development projects, and expansion into new markets.
  • Provide leadership and oversight for the Community Relations team, as applicable, including setting priorities, coordinating activities, and supporting the team's development and performance.
  • Other duties may be assigned.


EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • 7 - 10 years of related experience.


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

About Churchill Downs

Churchill Downs is a leading entertainment company that operates a variety of businesses, including horse racing, casino gaming, and online wagering. The company is best known for hosting the Kentucky Derby, one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. Churchill Downs is committed to providing a world-class entertainment experience for its customers, while also promoting responsible gaming and supporting the communities in which it operates.
Learn more about Churchill Downs
Size
5,000 employees
Market Cap
$7.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$81.9 million
Founded
1875
5 Year Trend
+14.2%
Revenue
$1 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Churchill Downs

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Senior Director, Community Engagement jobs: