Director of Development

Blue Ridge Public Radio is an independent, nonprofit news and culture organization producing award-winning journalism, podcasts and events in service to 600,000 across 14 Appalachian counties in Western North Carolina.    We create journalism that informs, inspires, connects, and reflects the people and places of Western North Carolina. 

BPR is an anchor of, and an established collaborator in, the Western North Carolina news ecosystem. And we believe that local journalism as public good required for a civil society.   

Our newly renovated, state-of-the-art studios are in downtown Asheville, a city in the heart of the beautiful Appalachian and Smoky Mountains. Regularly included in one of the most desirable places to live in the country, Asheville offers a vibrant local food scene, incredibly diverse live music landscape, and endless outdoor recreation.

Given the organization’s robust and expanding base of support, contributing supporters and growing pool of major donors, BPR is in a unique position to grow over the next three to five years. 

The qualifications below are an example of skills that are key to this position. We welcome the opportunity to learn about other skills and experience levels that would make this a mutual fit. We are open to providing radio host training to candidates who bring strong journalism management skills from another medium.

Summary

The Director of Development is responsible for all fundraising efforts, supervising a team of three.  As a member of the senior management team, reporting to the CEO/GM, the Director of Development will work to develop strategies to support the station’s annual plan through all the various revenue streams, to include membership, major giving, events, planned giving, foundations and grant making, as well as potential future capital campaigns. The Director of Development will utilize a host of effective established resources, processes, and tools to support all areas of fundraising within the organization, while focused on increasing contributed revenue to BPR. BPR’s annual budget is approximately $3.4M, of which $1.8M comes from individual giving.

The Director of Development also oversees external communications (including weekly emails), marketing efforts, and events.

We are eager to speak to candidates who are creative, possess initiative, and who value and champion diversity, inclusivity and equity in their own approach to leading teams and serving the community.

Requirements

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Manage a development and membership team of three full-time employees.
• Develop, manage, and evaluate traditional as well as new digital fundraising strategies to meet the annual fundraising targets.
• Identify, cultivate, acknowledge, and retain a portfolio of 40+ donors who support the work of the organization.
• Solicit (in person and writing) and close gifts beginning at $2,500 to increase overall major gift support.
• Build a culture of philanthropy and donor stewardship throughout the organization.
• Strategize with the membership and development team to support the department at all levels; to include, assisting with the marketing plan as well as working to resolve donor issues, database support and all membership operations.
• Work closely with the CEO/GM and Board of Directors to prospect and cultivate major donor prospects for funding future BPR initiatives.
• Plan and oversee all internal and external station events.
• Coordinate and direct donor communications.
• Design financial reports to regularly update CEO/GM and Board of Directors on fundraising progress and membership goals. Commit to using data analytics for transparent reporting.
• Oversee the development and application of grants to private and governmental agencies.
• Work with the senior management team and Board of Directors to evaluate, develop, and implement all annual, capital and planned giving campaigns the station may consider.

We’re looking for someone with: 

• An ability to influence and engage with a wide range of donors and foster genuine, long-term relationships.
• A strong entrepreneurial drive, combined with the ability to collaborate fruitfully as a team member.
• Strong presentation and data analysis skills.
• An ability to communicate the mission, goals, and activities of the institution and foster genuine, long-term relationships.
• Proven ability closing major gifts of $2,500 and up as well as make aspirational solicitations.
• Knowledge of budget management and preparation.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills demonstrate leadership and initiative, tact, diplomacy, attention to detail, creativity, and cultural sensitivity.
• Strong project management and organizational competencies with a demonstrated aptitude for multitasking, attention to detail, and meeting competing and overlapping deadlines.
• Outstanding communication skills ¬  interpersonal, verbal, and written.
• Demonstrated ability to meet and exceed goals and performance objectives in the planning, execution, and financial goals and fundraising targets.
• Fundraising and stewardship event planning experience.
• Grant writing and reporting.
• CRM experience, ability to analyze data and benchmarks.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, working in non-profit organizations.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Willingness to work in an office environment.
• Passion for Public Media.
• A sense of humor.

Education and Experience Preferred:

• Five years of experience in development and non-profit fundraising.
• Demonstrated experience managing a team of three or more.
• Track record of increasing contributed revenue.
• Proven ability to close major gifts of $2,500 or more.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience with external and internal communications a plus.
• Experience with events, internal and external, also a plus.
• All Microsoft Office platforms.
• BPR Currently Uses Allegiance as its Donor Database.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Employer Paid Health Insurance (BPR pays 80%, 20% pre-tax employee contribution)
• Vision and Dental coverage (BPR pays 80%, 20% pre-tax employee contribution)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan Match up to 5% after 90 days
• Smart/Mobile Phone Stipend
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• 12 days Paid Vacation in Year One, 17 days in Years 2-5 and 20 days for Years 6+
• 10 days of Sick Leave per year
• 11 Paid Holidays per year

To Apply

Blue Ridge Public Radio is being assisted in this search by Livingston Associates.

As part of your application process, you are asked to submit a resume and a letter of introduction. These documents should be uploaded when you apply.