POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director, PBS News Individual Giving is responsible for managing and growing annual revenue from individual donors contributing between $1,200 and $24,999 annually in support of PBS News. This role focuses on cultivating meaningful relationships, increasing donor engagement, and securing philanthropic support for high-quality, trusted, independent journalism. Reports to the Senior Director, PBS New Principal and Major Gifts.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

·       Lead and manage the annual fundraising revenue goal for PBS News individual giving, focused on donors contributing $1,200 – $24,999.

·       Manage a portfolio of approximately 125 – 175 individual donors and prospects giving $5,000 to $24,999 to PBS News.

·       Develop and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to meet annual revenue goals.

·       Collaborate with the Senior Director, Principal and Major Gifts to implement strategies to upgrade donors to Friends of the News Hour ($25,000+)

·       Conduct regular outreach including in-person and virtual meetings, phone calls, and written communications.

·       Work with prospect research team to identify and qualify new prospects to grow the individual giving pipeline.

·       Support and participate in donor events, including prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship activities (both virtual and in-person), and lead donor experiences such as studio tours and live program tapings.

·       Collaborate with Manager, PBS News Individual Giving on stewardship activities, including newsletters, donor thank you notes, events and donor benefit fulfillment.

·       Partner with PBS News membership and digital teams to develop and implement digital fundraising strategies and initiatives, including programs such as Press Pass.

·       Coordinate with the WETA Major Gifts team to identify joint giving opportunities and work with PBS News editorial leadership to strengthen donor engagement and advance fundraising goals.

·       Prepare and present compelling cases for support aligned with PBS News priorities.

·       Ensure timely donor follow-up, acknowledgments, and reporting on impact.

·       Maintain accurate and detailed records of donor activity in the CRM system (ROI).

·       Manage expense budget for $1,200 - $24,999 donor group.

·       Perform special related projects or other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

·       Knowledge of established development practices. Experience with cultivating and soliciting major donors, managing donor or membership gift clubs and annual fund campaigns in a public broadcasting, academic or cultural organization preferred.

·       Proven success in independently cultivating and closing gifts in the $10,000 - $25,000 range.

·       Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.

·       Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to set priorities, manage budgets and meet timelines, and creatively use staff and volunteers to complete projects in an accurate and timely manner.

·       PC proficiency, including Microsoft Office, and experience working with multiple databases.

·       Interest in journalism, public media, and the mission of PBS News.

·       Some evening and weekend work required for events.

·       Occasional travel required.

EDUCATION:

·       College Degree, CFRE preferred.

·       Five to seven years of experience in non-profit fundraising; 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. Benefits | WETA

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

WETA and NewsHour Productions are equal opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internships. WETA and NewsHour Productions make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.