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 station has 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 and implement 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,
support cross-group collaboration, and execute superior organization-wide communications. 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.
400 East Pratt Street, Suite 420, Baltimore, MD 21202-3116
Telephone: 410.528.8400
Fax: 410.528.8409
www.stantonchase.com
Executive Director of Development
The University Radio Foundation, Inc. – Charlotte, NC.
Primary Responsibilities
Marketing and communications strategy and execution
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Develops, aligns, and executes marketing programs and initiatives to support business
growth plans.
Leads and manages in-house marketing and communications team that is focused on
articulating the strategic vision, creating alignment with creative and sales, and launching
and stewarding the WFAE brand identity.
Develops organic, multi-year marketing plans that are in alignment with strategic
vision and sales and development growth goals.
Creates, implements, and analyzes marketing strategies to drive awareness and
buzz for audience growth, fundraising, and new business development.
Establishes deep and meaningful relationships with team members at all levels and
seeks out opportunities to reinforce WFAE’s brand and culture throughout the
organization.
Leads and contributes to the development of brand guidelines; acts as brand steward to
ensure every engagement with the WFAE brand is on point.
Development strategy and execution
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Drive philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and
government sources.
Determine and articulate the vision for all Development activities.
Develop and implement underwriting 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 and multi-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.
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Executive Director of Development
The University Radio Foundation, Inc. – Charlotte, NC.
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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
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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. Cason
Melissa Petersen
Managing Director
Stanton Chase International
Baltimore/Washington Office
Office: 410-528-8400 ext.106
Cell: 310-854-9133
Email: [email protected]
Research Associate
Stanton Chase International
Baltimore/Washington Office
Office: 410-528-4800 or 571-312-7048
Email: [email protected]
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