Chief Development Officer, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Philadelphia, PA - Hybrid
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Drive annual philanthropic revenue growth for the Inquirer by developing and executing a multi-channel strategy to expand grants and philanthropic support for the Inquirer’s mission, journalism and initiatives.
- Establish and achieve annual and long-term fundraising and partnership goals by designing data-informed, creative acquisition and retention strategies that foster lifelong engagement from foundations, partners and individual donors.
- Evaluate and optimize the organization’s development operations — setting clear goals, defining metrics, and implementing a scalable structure to exponentially grow philanthropic revenue working in partnership with The Lenfest Institute
- Build and manage a portfolio of major donors, foundations, and corporate partners, and who are aligned with the company’s mission, journalism and media innovation.
- Collaborate closely with Marketing leadership to strengthen brand awareness and audience engagement through coordinated campaigns that inspire giving and partnership.
- Oversee all fundraising programs — including donor and foundation giving, major gifts, grants, as well as individual/small scale donations — ensuring alignment with the company’s creative and strategic priorities.
- Build and manage a team of fundraising professionals to deliver on execution of strategic initiatives.
- Develop and manage the annual development budget, maximizing resources and ensuring financial sustainability and transparency.
- Represent the organization externally, engaging with funders, foundations and community stakeholders to build lasting, mission-aligned relationships.
- Contribute to an inclusive and positive work environment
Who We’re Looking For
- Ten (10) or more years of leadership experience with expertise in development and fundraising
- A purpose-driven storyteller with a deep passion for the importance of local journalism and the Inquirer’s mission
- A strategic thinker that can identify opportunities for growth and develop successful approaches to fundraising.
- A relationship builder with a proven track record of securing major gifts and multi-year funding commitments.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills — adept at storytelling, negotiation, and relationship-building.
- Experience working with Executive-level leaders in fundraising and strategic initiatives.
