Title : Director, National Foundation & Government Development

Status : Full Time: Exempt

Reports to:  Vice President, Foundation & Government Development

JOB OBJECTIVE :

The Director, National Foundation & Government Development (FGD) will secure restricted and unrestricted funds from foundations, government agencies and corporate philanthropic giving programs for WETA’s national projects. The Director will work closely with Vice President and WETA leadership to establish plans and priorities, and to achieve overall strategic and annual objectives. The Director will work closely with the Grants Management Team and will report to the Vice President, Foundation & Government Development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

Direct Fundraising (70%)

• Working closely with the Vice President, develop and implement strategies to secure funding support for Ken Burns, PBS NewsHour, , Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr., Washington Week, Arts productions, and stand-alone WETA national documentaries, as assigned.
• Lead the Prospecting function for National Productions for the FGD team (counterpart to the Director of Grants Management). Develop and maintain systems for prospect research, including tracking key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with representatives of foundations, government agencies and corporate philanthropic giving programs.
• Collaborate with WETA staff to coordinate approaches to funders. Write or supervise the writing of letters of inquiry, solicitation emails, foundation proposals, and other outreach. Provide strategy papers, briefing documents and talking points for WETA leadership interactions with prospects.
• The Director will work closely with the WETA FGD Grants Management Team to ensure that all reporting to donors in FGD is completed accurately and on time.
• Provide information to WETA staff on funding trends, issues and opportunities acting on them when appropriate.

Operations (30%)

• Supervise the development officer for Local Foundation and Government Development
• Work closely with the FGD Team to ensure maximum effectiveness in his/her role(s), including coordination with the Team on all gift processing, CRM and record keeping systems.
• Coordinate with the Director of Local Foundation and Government Development in the budget development process for FGD, working with staff to project expenses and revenue.
• Assist the VP and the Director of Local Foundation and Government Development in tracking of FGD revenue and expenses, ensuring that department is on target towards annual goal and within budgeted expenses.
• Assist VP in preparing reports on fundraising progress to CEO, COO and board.
• Perform related special projects or other duties as assigned

SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED :

• Demonstrated knowledge of national foundation and federal government fundraising, most particularly, a demonstrated track record of prospecting and advising media, public affairs or documentary film production program lines on funding and existing contacts within the same sources of funding.
• Knowledge of grant writing and processes and best practices.
• Knowledge of fundraising databases and their use for prospect management.
• Knowledge of fundraising operations, including gift processing, stewardship and prospect research.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to interact with a wide variety of people using diplomacy, tact and discretion.
• Excellent research, organizational, project planning, presentation and time management skills with careful attention to detail needed
• Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, both independently and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively organize, lead, and supervise others in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully perform in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of computer technology to efficiently accomplish work, using Microsoft Office programs, fundraising databases, social media, email, and the Internet.
• Knowledge of public broadcasting and public service media desirable, but not required.
• Proven track record of securing six and seven figure gifts.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE :

• College degree in liberal arts, communications, public relations, marketing, or
• related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• · Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in national
• foundation and federal government fundraising and stewardship.
•  Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LOCATION

WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations.  We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA.  WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible.  Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

WETA/NewsHour Productions is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. Fostering a culture of mutual respect is a top priority and something we take very seriously. 

Employment at WETA/NewsHour Productions is based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, age, ethnicity or ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex (including pregnancy), physical, mental or sensory ability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are also committed to demonstrating fair and equitable systems, practices, and processes related to how we recruit, develop, retain, promote, reward, compensate, and terminate talent.

We know that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is fundamental to the success of our business and our people, and we will continue to recognize it as part of our guiding principles.