It’s frustrating. But I think them hiring someone with experience is not that far fetched reason, that’s likely what happens. They also might not want to pay top dollar if they need to train and assist you. They care about their interests only. These are businesses making money. From my understanding these aren’t non profits. Could you start applying to lower level positions, not managerial positions, and then maybe grow within those companies. Are there any jobs available that are not director or manager levels? Even if you don’t want those lower level jobs, I’d try and see if I can pass that level interviews, maybe just for practice?