DESCRIPTION 

Nashville PBS is thrilled to announce an exciting new opportunity to join our dynamic team as Chief Development Officer (CDO).

The Chief Development Officer is responsible for the successful growth of Nashville PBS. The CDO will create, drive, and implement a comprehensive revenue strategy and plan that supports both immediate and long-term growth.  Strong leadership skills are a must as this role will oversee Nashville PBS areas of support including membership and on-air / digital campaigns; major donors; individual donor recruitment; foundation and institutional giving; grant proposals and reporting; corporate sponsorship; special project funding; planned giving and events.

This is a critical role in developing new and expanded groups of leadership and legacy givers and grantors based on the organization’s needs and desires in serving the community throughout the viewing region by expanding content offerings and strategic education and engagement. 

We are seeking a strategic leader with a proven relationship building, analytical and metric-driven approach. The CDO will help build the brand’s reputation across the region while creating and recruiting a high-performing team and fostering a collaborative culture.  

This position requires strategic fundraising expertise and leadership that will provide entrepreneurial, results-driven strategy and leadership to staff by developing and implementing a program aimed at cultivating deeper relationships with community members, audiences, donors, clients, sponsors, and funders built on the trusted Nashville PBS brand.  

In 2023, Nashville PBS launched a three-year strategic plan, which sharpened the focus of the organization on content, digital distribution and community engagement. This strategic plan has focused the whole organization’s efforts and as a result, the CDO will lead the funding strategy and create a diversified revenue budget to successfully operationalize the strategic direction for Nashville PBS. 

This position will work in close collaboration with the President and Chief Executive Officer and serve as a critical executive level contributor to the organization’s Senior Leadership Team as well as a liaison to our Board, Executive Committee, Development Committee and Community Stakeholders.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP: 

• Provide leadership and strategy in all aspects of Nashville PBS Development activities.
• Success in constructing, articulating, and implementing strategic Development plans and metrics.
• Specifically responsible for delivering and growing the current portfolio of Institutional and Foundation Giving, Project Funding, and Major Gifts.
• Coordinate prospect plans with President / CEO and key Development team members.
• Recruit, train, supervise and reward Development staff.
• Integrate and articulate a comprehensive Development strategy, including all areas of support, that meets the goals of the Nashville PBS Strategic Plan, working collaboratively with the CEO and Leadership Team to develop annual revenue goals and assure targets are met for capital and operational budgets.
• Assist the CEO in the creation and execution of capital campaigns as needed. 
• Assist the CEO in defining the fund development roles of the Nashville PBS Board of Directors and Advisory Boards.
• Serve in support with the President / CEO to the Nashville PBS Board Committees and Advisory Boards. 

HIGH-LEVEL OVERSITE OF VENDORS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS:

• Work with the President / CEO to forge strategic community partnerships and support services.
• Oversee and manage key external partnerships and vendors critical to the organization’s revenue success.
• Create and sustain Vendor accountability for performance standards in alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with business and community leaders. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with volunteers.
• Develop and maintain relationships with other fundraising colleagues in the community. 
• Work with the President / CEO to forge strategic community partnerships and support services.
• Represent Nashville PBS in the community, the viewing region and within the public media landscape.  

 TEAM BUILDING AND CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION:

• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and Leadership Team to identify new sources of revenue to develop new products, services and events that deliver strong net returns, serve our mission and enhance our brand.
• Provide strategic fundraising expertise and leadership by serving as a collaborative in-house resource on nonprofit fund development, marketing and communication best practices, emerging revenue trends, and opportunities for growth.
• Work with the CEO and the Senior Team to provide leadership and collaborative support to all Nashville PBS staff.
• Collaborate with other team members to foster a positive and productive culture and contribute toward the overall growth of Nashville PBS, within our mission, vision and values.
• Participate in and support station events beyond the Development team, including but not limited to content screenings, marketing / brand, education / engagement activities.
• Foster effective communication as well as a sense of shared mission and purpose across departments, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and community impact to create a cohesive approach to revenue generation and to achieve revenue goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Experience building community partnerships required.
• Experience working with Non-Profit boards required.
• Significant experience in soliciting and closing major gifts of $25,000 and above required.
• Grant writing / project funding proposals and reporting preferred.
• Familiarity with Planned Giving and Digital Fundraising a plus.   
• Thorough working knowledge of fund development software required; experience with CDP/MSB a plus.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in management, business or a related field required; Advanced degree or certifications preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in one or more areas: Development, Non-Profit/Public Broadcasting Fundraising, Marketing and Digital Fundraising, Direct Marketing, Business Development and Project Fundraising.
• Proven track record in leading a team and successful revenue generation required; 5+ years of supervisory experience preferred.

 KEY ATTRIBUTES:

• Passion for Nashville PBS and serving a mission-driven organization.
• Growth-minded, strategic leader with an analytical, metrics-driven approach.
• Excellent organizational skills in a changing media environment.
• Results-oriented, collaborative, curious and kind.
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, discretion and emotional intelligence.