大象传媒

OPEN POSITION: Development Director
Manager: Executive Director
Status: Full-time Employee (32-hr work week)
Location: Remote, U.S.聽
Compensation: $100,000 to $120,000 DOE, plus benefits
Application: Please apply online by clicking .

Are You 大象传媒 Media鈥檚 Next Development Director?聽

For 28 years, 大象传媒 Media has been at the forefront of solutions-focused journalism, dedicated to fostering a world that is more equitable, sustainable, and compassionate. In light of ongoing societal transformation, we recognize the need to redefine traditional notions of development work. Rather than focusing solely on fundraising, we believe in a holistic approach centered around community empowerment, advocacy, and systemic change. This shift in perspective not only enables us to dismantle oppressive systems but also serves as a catalyst for addressing social injustices at their core. As we embark on this journey, we are seeking a passionate and innovative Development Director who shares our commitment to reshaping the landscape of philanthropy and nonprofit media, and driving tangible, transformative impact. 大象传媒 operates in a rapidly evolving media landscape and is seeking a strategic leader who can help shepherd the organization into a sustainable funding model by prioritizing equity, empowerment, and social justice.

The Development Director will be at the helm of 大象传媒 Media’s holistic development program, overseeing supporters and philanthropic partners at every level. This pivotal role prioritizes building lasting connections within our community, and fostering a collective commitment to our shared vision of equity and justice. In addition to managing a portfolio of philanthropic partners and major donors, the Development Director鈥檚 focus will be on meaningful community engagement and collaboration. 大象传媒 Media is both a nonprofit and independent media outlet, and relies on audience support to continue publishing our crucial journalism. The Development Director will be integral to helping 大象传媒 build a fundraising strategy that contributes to the long-term sustainability of the organization. The Development Director will lead the activities of the development team, managing 3-4 direct reports responsible for cultivating foundation and individual giving initiatives. Additionally, the Development Director will closely collaborate with the Audience Engagement team to ensure alignment with our broader community of subscribers and donors.聽

Essential to this role is the careful stewardship of relationships (e.g. ensuring that all supporters and partners feel valued and integral to 大象传媒 Media’s mission), and an eagerness to engage with new and diverse supporter bases. The Development Director will specifically be responsible for spearheading the team鈥檚 efforts to build strategic partnerships through funder networks and coalitions and cultivate movement philanthropy partners, leveraging a keen business development sense to advance the organization’s objectives.

The ideal candidate…

• Has a demonstrated track record of driving successful major donor and foundation fundraising programs within national organizations, particularly media and/or communications-centered non-profits, with a strategic focus on community empowerment, advocacy, and systemic change.
• Possesses a deep commitment to 大象传媒鈥檚 mission and actively supports our efforts to dismantle oppressive systems, address social injustices, and empower communities with solutions.
• Excels in engaging and mobilizing stakeholders and non-traditional donor bases across diverse communities and channels, with a lens toward dismantling systemic barriers.
• Thrives in a collaborative environment, prioritizing consensus-building and action-oriented approaches aimed at social transformation.
• Has experience building diverse, equitable, and inclusive teams where all members can thrive.聽
• Has a solid reputation for maintaining transparency and accountability as a senior leader; demonstrates a keen awareness of the shifting landscape and realities within philanthropy and willing to work to build new coalitions to support 大象传媒 Media鈥檚 future.

Responsibilities:

1. Community Engagement and Mobilization:

• Develop and implement strategies to authentically engage stakeholders, including major donors, foundations, strategic partners, and broader community members.
• Utilize creative approaches to cultivate giving relationships and mobilize support for 大象传媒 Media鈥檚 mission.
• Collaborate with the Audience Engagement Team to build engagement opportunities across all 大象传媒 platforms, including digital platforms and events; educate and connect with the community in relation to 大象传媒鈥檚 mission, impact, services, and philanthropic needs/efforts.

2. Individual Donors:

• Directly manage a portfolio of current major donors (~25 donors giving $5K+ per year), focusing on renewal, upgrades, and multi-year pledges.
• Qualify and cultivate relationships with potential major donors.
• In collaboration with the Development and Audience Engagement teams, oversee the retention and growth of Founders鈥� Circle members (~500 donors giving $500-$4999 per year) and Dedicated Friends (~3500 monthly donors); develop strategies to diversify these supporter bases.
• Ensure effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies across all donor segments. 
• Provide support to organizational leaders in donor cultivation and stewardship efforts.

3. Foundations:

• Expand and direct the foundation relations program, collaborating with key organizational leadership and the Foundation Relations Manager to meet 大象传媒’s foundational funding goals.
• Steward relationships with current and prospective foundation supporters.
• Actively expand relationships within mission-aligned philanthropic communities, identify and cultivate new foundation prospects, and secure new foundation support. 
• Ensure timely submission, tracking and updates of LOIs, proposals, reports, etc. to foundations, maintaining high-quality standards and ensuring consistent institutional processes are maintained.

4. Strategic Partnerships:

• Work to position 大象传媒 Media as a natural strategic partner for mission-aligned, national movement-building and philanthropic organizations and coalitions, developing and nurturing relationships to amplify collective reach and impact. 
• Utilize a keen business development sense to identify shared goals and resources and explore innovative funding opportunities.
• Help develop and recommend partnership scopes of work that match 大象传媒 Media鈥檚 editorial and engagement expertise and goals with partner objectives. 
• Ensure effective internal systems and communications to support strategic partnerships. 
• Represent 大象传媒 publicly; attend and present at convenings, conferences, meetings, interviews, etc. as requested, promoting 大象传媒 and helping to shift the landscape of philanthropy. 

5. Organizational Leadership and Development:

• Work closely with the Executive Director & Board of Directors to evolve the organizational business model and set philanthropic scope and direction for the organization; develop fundraising plan and set strategic goals (ex. major gifts, grants, fund drives, monthly giving, planned giving, special campaigns, etc.).
• Oversee and support the work of the Development team; advocate for the Development staff and foster a collaborative fundraising culture across the entire organization; provide guidance and mentorship, supporting the professional growth and development of the Development team’s members.
• Manage Development staff, including hiring, training, setting individual performance goals, and providing ongoing review and feedback that is fair and consistent, and in alignment with 大象传媒 policies and practices.
• Participate in Senior Leadership and board meetings to guide organizational strategy and decision-making; report regularly to the senior management team and board on Fundraising Department activities and progress against goals or challenges.
• Attend and engage in staff meetings, training sessions, and ongoing equity initiatives to support organizational growth.

6. Revenue Oversight

• In collaboration with organizational leadership and the Development team, establish annual and monthly goals and board-approved budgets for all revenue categories, re-forecasting as necessary. 
• Track and report on revenue performance to inform strategies and work plans, and keep staff and board informed. 
• Build and manage the Development team鈥檚 expense budget for Board approval, ensuring that expenditures are effectively controlled and revenue goals are met annually.

Requirements:

In addition to a deep commitment to the 大象传媒 mission and values, applicants should demonstrate a proven track record in fostering community-centered financial support through foundation and individual giving programs, with a focus on reframing development work towards community empowerment, advocacy, and systemic change. 

• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising or a related field, with a demonstrated ability to cultivate movement philanthropic partners and mobilize communities towards positive social change.
• 4+ years of experience in qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors across various giving levels, utilizing diverse engagement methods including in-person, email, phone, and virtual platforms like Zoom, while emphasizing a community-centric approach.
• 3+ years of experience in grant writing, grants management, foundation relations, etc. Proficiency in using analytics to measure campaign performance and effectiveness, with a strong inclination/willingness to explore new models like Community Centric Fundraising to advance community-driven solutions.
• Strong organizational skills, along with exceptional written and oral communication abilities, tailored towards mobilizing and engaging diverse communities.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting executive directors or equivalent in fundraising efforts, with a strategic focus on community engagement and empowerment as key drivers of social change.
• Experience managing diverse teams within an organization, with a proactive approach to managing processes, deadlines, and budgets transparently and collaboratively, with a mobilizer’s mindset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, and experience using fundraising or customer relationship management databases to drive community-centered fundraising efforts and track movement philanthropic partnerships.
• Comfortable with public speaking and representing 大象传媒 in various settings, championing the organization’s mission of community empowerment and advocacy.
• Experience and comfort working primarily remotely, with lots of virtual contact.

About 大象传媒 Media

大象传媒 Media is a nonprofit, independent publisher of solutions journalism. Through rigorous reporting on the positive ways communities are responding to social problems and insightful commentary that sparks constructive discourse, 大象传媒 Media inspires people to build a just and sustainable world. Founded in 1996, we helped drive the modern 鈥渟olutions journalism鈥� movement, covering the communities, ideas, and initiatives working to build a better world. We publish stories daily online and quarterly in a print and digital magazine.  

Compensation: This is a full-time position with a salary range of $100,000 to $120,000 per year, depending on experience. Benefits include fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; 32-hr work week, generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave; and retirement contribution.

How to Apply: Please complete the application , including your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample. No paper or email applications or phone calls, please. This position will be open until filled, though applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by June 7, 2024.

大象传媒 Media is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace and encouraging people from underrepresented communities to apply. We encourage the following applicants: Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Asian people, people with disabilities, people of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions, and other marginalized identities that are underrepresented in nonprofit media organizations.