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Job Posting #494507: Director of Development & Major Gifts

WKAR-AM/FM/TV -Director of Development & Major Gifts
Broadcasting Services, College of Communication Arts and Sciences
Michigan State University

WKAR Public Media (TV and Radio) in East Lansing, Michigan, has an immediate opening for a Director of Development and Major Gifts to serve as the chief fundraising officer for our organization.

Position Summary?

The Director of Development & Major Gifts is responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of fundraising initiatives to enhance net revenue for WKAR. Under your care, accountability and compliance standards for donors and funding will be maintained. You will report to the Director of Broadcasting Services and lead staff responsible for annual giving, corporate and non-profit sponsorship, and member services, as well as lead planned and major gift initiatives, and cultivation of relationships with major donors.

  • Provide leadership, supervision, and guidance to the fundraising department to ensure that the organization’s fundraising goals are met.
  • Work with the Director of Broadcasting, and leadership team to coordinate development of the overall strategic plan and events/fundraising calendar for the organization.
  • Professionally represent WKAR within the community by participating in community events, serving on appropriate committees and volunteer organizations and otherwise advancing the unique role and importance of public media within our community.
  • Develop strategy and cultivate relationships necessary to attract and maintain major donors.
  •  Develop and monitor revenue and cost budget lines within areas of responsibility.  As financial issues arise, provide solutions and alternatives to those issues.
  • Ensure articulation of the organization’s desired image and position to all constituencies, both internal and external.
  • Responsible for the editorial direction of donor communication and viewer/listener communication.
  • Continually monitor and review all fundraising activities, including production fundraising, and provide leadership and guidance for any necessary modifications to current initiatives as well as new initiatives.
  • Prepare any necessary internal and external reports regarding development activities.
  • Actively participate in on-air fundraising.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) with a concentration in non-profit administration, business, public relations, public policy or related field.
  • Minimum of five years of experience in a management/supervisory position within a fundraising environment that included budget line responsibility.
  • A proven track record of fundraising success and goal achievement.  
  • Proven financial/analytical experience and the ability to use financial information and analysis to aid the decision-making process.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational and written communication skills.
  • Leadership skills focused on project completion and overall departmental success.
  • Ability to understand the needs and interests of leadership and major gift donors in order to develop relationships between them and the organization.
  • Demonstrated experience in managing and implementing a comprehensive major gifts program and producing charitable contributions.
  • Established community relationships with media, businesses, community groups and local government, or the demonstrated ability to build such relationships quickly.

WKAR is a division of the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. It includes WKAR-TV, WKAR AM and FM, WKAR.org, the Radio Reading Service, and WKAR Ready-To-Learn, and reaches more than a half-million mid-Michigan residents each week, and contributes to the educational experience of Michigan State University's 50,000-plus student body. For additional information, please visit wkar.org.

Application deadline is April 10, 2018.  Qualified applicants can apply online by visiting careers.msu.edu and refer to job posting #494507.

MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities.