Senior Development Officer (2 openings) at Chicago Public Media

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Chicago Public Media Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Public Media, Broadcasting, Non-ProfitIndustries

Requirements

  • Strong interpersonal, writing and communication skills
  • Demonstrated portfolio management and relationship building experience
  • Ability to work independently and within a team
  • Knowledge of CRM relational databases

Responsibilities

  • Manage a portfolio of 150-180 leadership annual prospects and donors
  • Qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward individuals through meetings in-person and on Zoom, phone and written communication and engagement at events
  • Execute solicitations of annual unrestricted grantmaking foundations
  • Work closely with Beacon Circle committee volunteers on strategies to engage friends and networks with GBH
  • Develop stewardship strategies to strengthen donor retention
  • Collaborate with Major Gifts and Planned Giving teams to qualify patrons for transformative giving
  • Prepare proposals, briefings and reports and meet regularly with donors
  • Record and track all donor activity using GBH’s CRM

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

FundraisingMajor GiftsAnnual GivingDonor RelationsPhilanthropyStewardship

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this a remote position or does it require office work?

The role is hybrid, requiring staff to work onsite a minimum of two days each week—every Tuesday and one other day determined by the business unit—with the option to come in additional days.

What is the salary range for the Senior Development Officer role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What are the key responsibilities of the Senior Development Officer?

The SDO manages a portfolio of leadership annual fund prospects and donors, plays a key role in Beacon Circle patron program strategy, works with the Sr. Director and volunteer committee to enhance donor engagement, and meets goals tied to upgrades, donor qualification, and visits.

What is the company culture like at GBH?

GBH emphasizes building community, mentoring and learning from colleagues, and connecting deeply with its mission of enriching lives through educational, inspiring, and entertaining public media programs that foster citizenship, culture, and diverse perspectives.

What makes a strong candidate for this Senior Development Officer position?

Strong candidates will have senior-level experience in major annual giving, proven success managing donor portfolios, strategic skills in donor engagement and program development, and the ability to meet specific fundraising goals like upgrades and qualifications during a period of organizational growth.

Chicago Public Media

Broadcast radio and digital streaming services

About Chicago Public Media

Chicago Public Media's main product is WBEZ, a flagship station delivering substantive news and insights through broadcast radio, digital streaming, and a newly launched mobile app with groundbreaking rePlayer functionality. The technologies utilized include digital streaming, mobile app development, and on-demand platform features.

Chicago, IllinoisHeadquarters
1990Year Founded
VENTURE_UNKNOWNCompany Stage
Social Impact, Education, EntertainmentIndustries
201-500Employees

Benefits

6 weeks fully paid family leave
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Company Match
401(k) Retirement Plan
Paid Vacation

Risks

Decline in traditional radio listenership may reduce audience engagement and revenue.
Increased competition from digital-native news outlets challenges content production speed.
Dependence on public funding and donations can be unpredictable during economic downturns.

Differentiation

Chicago Public Media acquired the Chicago Sun-Times, forming a large nonprofit news organization.
They partner with local organizations to enhance community engagement and attract diverse audiences.
Their focus on addressing social issues strengthens community ties and public service mission.

Upsides

Podcasting growth offers an opportunity to expand reach and audience engagement.
AI in media can personalize content delivery and improve audience engagement.
Nonprofit news acquisitions can lead to innovative business models and sustainability.

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