WWNO Development and Marketing Director

New Orleans, LA, United States

WWNO is seeking an experienced and innovative Development Director to lead our fundraising efforts. As one of the key drivers of our organization's financial growth, you will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive strategies to secure philanthropic support from major donors, foundations, corporations, and members that will include unrestricted funding for general operations, restricted funding for specific initiatives and campaign support for organizational growth and transformation.

This is a critical moment for local journalism. Public media news organizations such as WWNO are crucial, but we need more funding to address the growing demand for trustworthy, inclusive, solutions-driven journalism. In this role, you will help us realize that goal by accelerating the growth of our philanthropic support and creating sustainable funding streams. The Development Director would also collaborate to raise funds for the WWNO-WRKF Baton Rouge shared newsroom.

As the Development Director, you will also manage your own portfolio of donors, write grants, oversee the work of a grants writer and membership team (membership manager; development assistant); grants specialist (broader responsibilities than simply grant writing)

We are looking for candidates who are creative, possess a can-do attitude and who value diversity, inclusivity and equity in their approach to leading teams, collaborating and engaging with community stakeholders. Job Description Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership: Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the development team, setting clear goals and objectives aligned with the organization's mission and financial needs. The Development Director is part of the Executive Staff.

Major Giving: Cultivate and steward relationships with high-net-worth individuals and major donors, devising tailored engagement strategies to secure substantial financial contributions.

Institutional Giving: Oversee the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of grants from foundations, corporations, and government agencies. Ensure alignment between the organization's programs and the funding priorities of potential institutional partners.

Membership Programs: Lead the development and execution of strategies to recruit, retain and engage members, enhancing their connection to the organization's content and mission.

Communication: develop and carry out a communications plan, making use of existing staff and resources plus a contract writer and website consultant as needed.

Team Management: Manage and mentor a fundraising team, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment. Provide guidance on donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship techniques.

Fundraising Strategy: Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and refine the organization's fundraising strategy, ensuring a diversified funding portfolio and long-term financial sustainability.

Donor Engagement: Personally engage with key donors, stakeholders and supporters to build and maintain relationships, communicating the impact of their contributions.

Events: Develop and carry out an events plan for the entire organization, making use of a contract events manager, covering revenue-generating events, membership relations, and community engagement journalism events, and ensuring that all WWNO events are presented to the same high standards and enhance station's visibility and benefit.

Budget Oversight: Manage the development budget, tracking fundraising expenses and revenues, and providing regular financial reports to the leadership team.

Data Analysis: Utilize data-driven insights to assess fundraising performance, identify trends and adjust strategies as needed to maximize fundraising effectiveness.

Process and Tools: Bolster the development systems and structures that will support effective, efficient, sustainable, and professional fundraising and communications programs.

Collaboration: Work closely with other teams to ensure consistent messaging and branding across all fundraising efforts, including the WWNO/WRKF shared newsroom.

Events and Campaigns: Collaborate on the planning with Events Coordinator and execution of fundraising and donor events, campaigns and initiatives that resonate with donors and members.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelors Degree and at least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, including leading of staff and volunteer fundraisers experience in fundraising, of which includes leading teams at nonprofit organizations, or equivalent experience.

Proven track record of success in major giving, institutional giving and membership fundraising. Experience in major gift fundraising and national foundations is preferred.

Strong understanding of fundraising best practices and ethical standards.

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire donors, team members and stakeholders.

Strategic thinker with the ability to align fundraising efforts with organizational goals.

Experience in budget management and financial reporting.

Proficiency in utilizing fundraising software and data analytics tools.

Strong organizational and project management skills.

Passion for public media and a deep commitment to the organization's mission.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of and experience in the New Orleans/region market is highly preferred.

Experience in public radio is a plus, and working within a larger multi-interest or federated organization is a plus

Posting Close Date This position will remain open until filled. First review is December 20, 2023.

The University of New Orleans is an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected Veteran status, age if 40 or older, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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