Posted on October 2, 2012

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Director of Major Gifts

An immediate opportunity is available for a front-line fundraising professional and proven generalist to fundraise for Public Media NJ, Inc.

Public Media NJ, Inc. is a non-profit subsidiary of WNET, parent company of award-winning public television stations THIRTEEN and WLIW21. PMNJ provides programming and services to NJTV, a recently-named public television network under an agreement with the state of New Jersey. NJTV, (formerly NJN) broadcasts a lineup of PBS programming, along with local arts & culture and news & public affairs programming.

The Director of Major Gifts will have strong individual, foundation and government fundraising experience and will be responsible for raising approximately $1.5M ($1M in individual giving and $500K in foundation giving) over the next 18 months for Public Media NJ. This position manages a portfolio of donors and prospects with the capacity to give individual gifts and grants (ranging from four- to six-figure gifts) for restricted and unrestricted purposes and requires strategic and management experience over various development areas, as well as experience and a high comfort level working with key stakeholders (board, senior staff).

Specifically, the Director of Major Gifts will draft proposal and solicitation content, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects for NJTV. The Director will need to identify, research, cultivate and solicit prospects and secure gifts from these prospects. H/she will also work with trustees and leadership to cultivate individual, foundation and government donors in addition to soliciting gifts personally.

The position has a strong focus on in-person solicitation, as well as writing proposals, letters of inquiry, stewardship communications, grant reports, acknowledgements, and other materials for funders. The position also will be responsible for drafting and presenting reports to the NJTV board.

To qualify, candidates must have a demonstrated track record of successfully closing grants from individuals and foundation ($50,000+). Candidates must have at least 5 years of experience within the tri-state philanthropic community, including New Jersey fundraising experience. In addition, candidates must have excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills, the ability to take initiative and work effectively in a team environment.

The ideal candidate will have a high comfort level with tracking and managing data, synthesizing disparate ideas and coordinating projects from start to finish. Superlative general presentation, writing, and analytical skills are a must. S/he will also be evaluated on how effectively s/he make and communicate the connections between NJTV’s activities, the funder community, the community of possible partners, and the trends and issues in media and media-based education. Familiarity with nonprofit information databases (Foundation Center, Guidestar, etc.) and an understanding of media content creation are essential.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Interest in public media
• Track record of successful major gift and NJ fundraising
• Experience working with high level donors, executive leadership and trustees
• Strategic capability, the ability to anticipate trends and challenges, and proactively propose solutions
• Experience managing a small staff (2-3 people)
• Excellent research, writing, communication, and presentation skills;
• Flexibility and resourcefulness in working effectively on multiple projects;
• Comfort with technology including databases, spreadsheets and electronic communication
• Ability to succeed in a deadline-driven environment;
• Ability to synthesize complex and varied data;
• Strong attention to detail, follow-through, and organization;
• Intellectual curiosity and thirst for continuous learning; and
• Ability to excel independently and in a team environment.

Application Instructions

Apply online at http://www.njtvonline.org/careers/ or fax resume to 212.560.1350. No phone calls, please.

Public Media NJ
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
www.njtvonline.org

WNET IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.