Executive Director of Development

Executive Director of Development

The University Radio Foundation, Inc.–Charlotte, NC.

WFAE Executive Director of Development

Charlotte, NC

The Organization

WFAE 90.7 is a member-supported, locally owned, independent radio station committed to delivering the highest quality news and public affairs programming for its listeners in the Charlotte Metrolina region, as well as Piedmont and the Carolina foothills. WFAE is the most listened-to public radio station in the Charlotte area, offering a broad range of national, international, and regional news from National Public Radio, the BBC, Public Radio International, American Public Media, and WFAE’s award-winning newsroom. The station is committed to providing fact-based, in-depth information that helps create a more informed, engaged, and empowered community and enables citizens to better understand shared challenges, seize important opportunities, and enjoy this special place they call home. As Charlotte has grown, so has WFAE, with a creative website in addition to broadcasts that now reach more than 200,000 listeners a week in a 22-county area.

The stationhas garnered over 40 journalistic honors, including four Edward R. Murrow awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, including one award in 2014. The staff produces the award-winning Charlotte Talks, hosted daily by Mike Collins, featuring guests from all walks of life. In 2008, the station launched its “Public Conversations Series” that brings together area residents to discuss important issues in a community forum.

The Position

Reporting to the President/General Manager, this position will guide marketing, communications, and development efforts. The Executive Director (ED) of Development leads a significant revenue activity for WFAE, providing management and leadership for all fundraising initiatives to aggressively grow the existing revenue base from membership, major gifts, foundations, and planned and corporate giving. The ED will develop andimplement a multi-platform sales strategy that is innovative in attracting and cultivating local community fans and donor support. S/he will also develop branding strategies and implement marketing and communications initiatives that drive awareness and buzz for audience growth, fundraising and new business development.

The ideal candidate will be collaborative and bring an entrepreneurial spirit, and business building track record of success to the senior team. S/he will establish internal relationships to drive growth, supportcross-group collaboration, and execute superior organization-widecommunications. The ideal candidate will also have a track record of accomplishment as a successful fundraiser, including the identification, solicitation and stewardship of high-capacity donors in a sophisticated environment, i.e. museum, university, performing arts organization is a plus. The ED is active in the community, building relationships with top donors and community leaders to advance the organizational goals and realize a new level of philanthropic success for the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

Marketing and communications strategy and execution

Develops, aligns, and executes marketing programs and initiatives to support businessgrowth plans.
Leads and manages in-house marketing and communications team that is focused onarticulating the strategic vision, creating alignment with creative and sales, and launching andstewarding the WFAE brandidentity.
Develops organic, multi-year marketing plans that are in alignment with strategic visionand sales and development growthgoals.
Creates, implements, and analyzes marketing strategies to drive awareness and buzzfor audience growth, fundraising, and new businessdevelopment.
Establishes deep and meaningful relationships with team members at all levels and seeksout opportunities to reinforce WFAE’s brand and culture throughout theorganization.
Leads and contributes to the development of brand guidelines; acts as brand steward toensure every engagement with the WFAE brand is onpoint.

Development strategy and execution

Drive philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, foundations, andgovernment sources.
Determine and articulate the vision for all Development activities.
Develop and implementunderwriting and sponsorship strategies that lead to successful corporate partnerships and greater revenue and brand visibility for WFAE. Manage outside vendor relationships related to local and national sales.
Develop, implement and evaluate annual andmulti-year goals and strategies for the Development team and individual staff members designed to maximize financial support.
Develop and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive, diversified and integrated membership program to include direct mail, telemarketing, e-fundraising and pledge drives.
Create new strategies to increase and diversify revenue, including but not limited to an increase in number of both donors and giving per donor. Also maximize revenue relative to audience members and fans of WFAE.
Develop, implement, monitor, and assess fundraising and gift-processing policies.
Ensure all development efforts are well-coordinated locally and with WFAE core services.
Manage a select donor portfolio, including individuals, foundations and corporations.
Develop and sustain personal relationships with major donors; maintain and upgrade their financial support.
Cultivate, solicit and steward top prospects.
Oversee and strategize with President/General Manager regarding his donor portfolio.
Serve as a staff representative to the WFAE board.
Build relationships with board members and strategize with board on ways to maximize their participation to advance the mission of WFAE.
Prepare oral and written reports to the Board of Trustees.
Participate as member of senior staff team that supports the President and Board on development and implementation of strategic plan.
Prepare and monitor the annual development budget; oversee revenue and expenses, projections and forecasting.
Coordinate with public broadcasting leaders:Greater Public, NPR and other public broadcasting stations on best practices and opportunities for collaboration.

Management

Hire, supervise, train and manage direct staff through coaching, mentorship, performance meetings and on-going feedback. Manage conflict constructively.
Foster a creative and high performance work environment.
Develops and evangelizes people around a performance management philosophy that sets expectations for business results and enhances and sustains employee engagement.
Facilitates excellent communications across departments, among employees, with the Board, with the public, with relevant national organizations, and with suppliers.
Fosters open and candid relationships with WFAE fans, listeners and contributors.
Forge partnerships and manage relationships with external parties and partners who can advance WFAE’s public service mission.

If interested and qualified, please contact:

Carolyn A. CasonMelissa Petersen

Managing DirectorResearch Associate

Stanton Chase InternationalStanton Chase International

Baltimore/Washington OfficeBaltimore/Washington Office

Office: 410-528-8400 ext.106Office: 410-528-4800 or 571-312-7048

Cell: 310-854-9133Email:

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