Join States Newsroom as Development Director to power our award-winning journalism and expand its role in the nation's local news infrastructure.
States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, is seeking a talented and driven development professional to lead the organization’s major gifts and philanthropic fundraising efforts. Building on years of successful fundraising growth, the Development Director will develop the revenue strategy that will support our continued growth and sustainability. If you have a proven track record of landing gifts and grants and are passionate about journalism’s essential role in our democracy, this job is for you.
We’re looking for an accomplished, entrepreneurial professional to help raise awareness of a unique news organization amongst major donors and foundations, while supporting our ongoing individual donor program. You’ll work closely with organizational leaders to capitalize on your colleagues’ work, develop new relationships, respond to funder inquiries, and develop new strategies for our network’s revenue growth.
The skilled development professional we’ll hire will preferably be based at either of our headquarters offices in Chapel Hill, NC or Washington, DC. Fully remote work within the U.S. will be considered for highly qualified candidates. Remote candidates must be able to travel to our offices as needed several times per year.
If you have a proven track record in nonprofit fundraising and are passionate about state and local journalism’s essential role in our democracy, this job is for you.
Job Responsibilities
The responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:
Working closely with senior leadership, create and pursue a comprehensive plan to increase philanthropic support for States Newsroom
Support and advise state editors pursuing in-state philanthropic support
Supervise and collaborate with membership and marketing manager tasked with increasing reader support
Serve as a member of the organization’s leadership team and collaborate with departmental leaders as appropriate
Work with operations staff to manage grants and renewals across the organization
Work with senior leaders on overall revenue strategy and new revenue-generating initiatives
Occasional travel may be required
About Our Culture
States Newsroom is dedicated to producing journalism at all levels — from quick hit to investigative — but we also aim to be supportive, exciting, welcoming and positive. We believe in creating sustainable careers for journalists on the crucial state government beat.
States Newsroom’s mission is to connect people to the power that shapes their daily lives through relentless reporting and incisive commentary on state government and policy. Journalism is a powerful force for social change, uniquely suited to challenging systemic inequality and racism. Our goal is to build an organization that fulfills that mission. At States Newsroom, we believe we strengthen our work and improve our insights when we incorporate the perspectives of people who come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences.
We are committed to diversity and prioritize equity in all recruiting and hiring. We are always working to better represent our communities and are supported in these efforts by a network-wide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice committee.
Qualifications and Compensation
We’re looking for someone who demonstrates:
Enthusiastic support for the power of journalism in democracy
Strong track record, at least five to 10 years, in fundraising and development roles, preferably including at least some for a news organization
Previous success leading a comprehensive development program, and preparing work plans to achieve goals
Proven ability to secure large-scale grants and individual donations, driving measurable revenue growth
Experience and enthusiasm for managing other fundraising staff as well as coaching others to raise money more effectively
Creative vision for cultivating innovative and effective revenue-generating opportunities that others may not see
Ability to manage projects, whether individual or cross-departmental, from inception to successful execution
Excitement for collaboration and innovation across teams
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
Ability to adapt quickly to new technologies and priorities
Great self-direction and the ability to manage short- and long-term tasks
The minimum salary for this position is $110,000 and rises with experience. Our generous benefits package includes:
Premium-free platinum healthcare for employees and their families (i.e., nothing comes out of your paycheck!)
4 weeks of vacation per year
2 weeks of personal leave per year
11 paid holidays per year
20 hours of paid volunteer time per year
$75 monthly cell phone reimbursement
$200 cell phone replacement benefit every two years
$75 monthly fitness benefit
401K with up to 3% match
12 weeks of parental leave
Full-service EAP
Authorization to work in the United States is required. All States Newsroom employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID within 30 days of hire. States Newsroom will provide all necessary equipment.
States Newsroom’s mission is to connect people to the power that shapes their daily lives through relentless reporting and incisive commentary on state government and policy.
