Gulf States Newsroom Director of Development

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Gulf States Newsroom Mission, Vision & Values

The Gulf States Newsroom is a public media collaboration that’s bringing valuable local and regional news coverage to audiences in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and sharing those stories with the national NPR audience as well. Our goal is to serve communities in the deep South where some legacy media outlets are closing, and to grow the audience there for public media’s contextual, fact-based reporting. The Gulf States Newsroom has four beat reporters who explore health care, wealth and poverty, race and equity and criminal justice across the three-state region. They’re guided by three editors and a business manager. All are employees of one of the collaboration’s partner stations — WBHM in Birmingham, AL; WWNO in New Orleans; WRKF in Baton Rouge, LA; and Mississippi Public Broadcasting in Jackson, MS. NPR is also a partner.

The Gulf States Newsroom was launched in 2020 with grant funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and funds from NPR. We’re seeking a director of development to ensure that we sustain our important work beyond the grant period. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work both independently and as part of a team that includes fundraisers at the partner stations and NPR.

We expect all employees to adhere to the values and ethical standards and practices of the public radio system.

General Responsibilities

This front-line-fundraiser position will secure support from individuals, corporations or foundations for the Gulf States Newsroom and its managing partner stations by successfully cultivating assigned prospects and soliciting them.

The director of development functions as an integral part of a team that designs and implements successful fundraising programs that may include annual fund, planned giving and major gift solicitations as part of a coordinated and successful development program.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead major gifts solicitation for the Gulf States Newsroom, in conjunction with the gifts staff at the managing partner stations and NPR. Collaborate with and communicate frequently with partner stations on all aspects of the program.
• Manage a prospect and donor portfolio of 50-100 prospects with the ability to make major gifts or pledges. Cultivate, solicit and steward this portfolio, using management tools and fundraising best practices to track activity and progress. 
• Partner with newsroom leadership and key volunteers in fundraising strategies and donor engagement.
• Research, identify and cultivate new sources of funding to grow the pipeline of major donors across the region.
• Plan select events designed to cultivate or solicit major gift prospects.
• Gather information and oversee creation of proposals, stewardship touches and other donor materials as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, marketing or a related field, and three (3) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for education requirement.

Salary Range

$70,000 – 75,000 annually. Benefits include BCBS medical, vision and dental coverage, life and disability, 401(k) with employer match, paid vacation, personal and sick time.

WRKF is an equal opportunity employer.
To apply, send a resume and a cover letter to [email protected].