Director of Advancement

WQLN PBS/NPR seeks a lead fundraising professional with a knowledge of and a passion for public television and radio.

The Director of Advancement is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing all aspects of fundraising in conjunction with WQLN’s CEO and WQLN’s Board of Directors. The successful candidate’s primary responsibility is to acquire Major and Planned Gifts and work towards advancing the mission of WQLN by creating and directing a comprehensive development program capable of generating the philanthropic revenue needed to support WQLN’s strategic plan and objectives. This position includes oversight of Membership, Underwriting, Grants, and Events. The successful candidate’s primary responsibility is to acquire Major Gifts.

Responsibilities

The qualified candidate will have served in roles that include:

• Experience and success in fundraising or related fields.
• Understanding of the best professional and ethical practices recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
• Demonstrate an ability to conceptualize and implement a new comprehensive fundraising strategy.
• Experience in managing the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major and planned gifts.
• Experience in personally engaging six or more major donors or prospects per month to discuss their philanthropic interests related to WQLN’s mission.
• Establish and oversee donor engagement by CEO, board members, and volunteers.
• Knowledge of budget management and financial projections for revenue and expenses.  

The qualified candidate will:

• Work with the CEO and board to strengthen recognition of the organization’s capabilities locally and regionally.  
• Have a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Engage in creating high-performance teams.
• Work with colleagues to create a process to ensure the organization has consistent messaging.
• Participate in on-air and off-air fundraising campaigns.  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)
• Five+ years of full-time fundraising experience, including three years of major gift ($10,000 and above) fundraising experience
• Proven and successful experience managing a team
• Excellent communication skills
• Knowledge of major gifts and planned giving
• Strong writing skills
• Ability to plan and execute a comprehensive development program
• Ability to manage a corporate philanthropy program and engage senior-level management in corporate partnerships
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Familiarity with donor database applications

WQLN PBS/NPR is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, along the southern shore of a remarkable Great Lake. Erie is a hub for technology and social innovation strategically located between Cleveland, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. The area is the headquarters of many entrepreneurial businesses and legacy corporations. With four universities, a medical school, think tanks, major medical affiliations, advanced manufacturing, and sophisticated research, the region is recognized for its leadership, volunteerism, and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

WQLN is the region’s only independent, nonprofit, nationally affiliated media organization. WQLN’s first board of directors met in 1953, intending to use television to entertain and educate the public. WQLN first signed on the air in 1967.

More information about WQLN, including our strategic plan, can be found at https://www.wqln.org/career-volunteer-internship-opportunities

The salary range is $70k – $80K and includes a complete benefits package and a hybrid work option.

WQLN PBS/NPR is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Employer and an affirmative action/EEO employer that fully supports workplace diversity.

Send a cover letter and a resume to Cindy Spizarny at [email protected]

WQLN PBS NPR