Director of Development- Houston Public Media

University of Houston; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

The Director of Development at University of Houston-Houston Public Media leads major gift fundraising and donor engagement to advance programming, journalism, education, and growth. As a senior member of the Major Gifts Team, you will build relationships with high-level donors and prospects while stewarding leadership giving societies.

This role develops and manages strategic fundraising plans for assigned units, collaborates across Advancement, and ensures effective donor stewardship.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressive fundraising experience.
• Proven track record in closing major gifts ($25k+).
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Experience with donor CRM systems and prospect research tools.

Responsibilities

• Directs development activities for the assigned college or unit with a comprehensive fundraising plan.
• Manages a portfolio of prospects including $25,000–$100,000 gifts.
• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors in collaboration with faculty and volunteers.
• Participates in major gift opportunities with UH leadership.
• Guides personal solicitation of annual and special gifts and related matters.
• Oversees staff within the unit’s development program.
• Administers budget and resources for the development program.
• Supports university-wide development activities and events.

Skills

Fundraising

Relationship Building

CRM Software

Public Media Knowledge

Tools

Salesforce

Raiser's Edge

Job description

Department:Houston Public MediaSalary:$75,100.00 - $95,800.00

The Director of Development advances Houston Public Media’s mission and financial sustainability by leading major gift fundraising, donor engagement, cultivation, and stewardship as a key member of the Major Gifts Team and Strategic Advancement Team. This position develops and manages relationships with high-level donors and prospects, oversees leadership annual giving societies, and secures philanthropic support that strengthens HPM’s programming, journalism, education, and long-term growth.

Develops, implements and manages a strategic fundraising plan for assigned college or unit. Serves as the chief development officer for the college or unit (typically with a dual reporting line to the dean and a member of the University Advancement management team.) Possesses some knowledge and experience regarding personal solicitation and fundraising in general, and at least a basic knowledge of planned giving.

1. Directs development activities for assigned college or unit; creates and implements a comprehensive fundraising plan, including prospect development and management, annual, major and planned gifts and stewardship.
2. Manages a portfolio of prospects which are mostly at the level of $25,000 to $100,000.
3. Identifies, cultivates and solicits prospects, and stewards donors; works with faculty, staff and volunteers as appropriate.
4. May participate in some major gift prospect opportunities, typically in conjunction with a member of the UH Office of Development management team or major gifts program.
5. Provides guidance to the college or unit on personal solicitation of annual and special gifts and other development and fundraising matters.
6. May manage development professional and support staff within the college or unit.
7. Administers budget and resources allocated to the college or unit development program.
8. Participates in University-wide development activities as needed.
9. May administer other advancement activities, such as alumni relations, publications, special events, media relations, etc. for assigned college or unit.
10. Performs other job-related duties as required.

MQ: Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job-related 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed.

Requires a minimum of three (3) years of directly job-related experience.

Additional Posting Information:

The Director of Development manages a portfolio of major gift prospects that include individuals, foundations, and planned giving prospects. The position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors through meaningful, strategic engagement while building strong relationships and aligning donors’ interests with Houston Public Media’s priorities.

In addition, the Director of Development provides leadership for HPM’s giving societies, developing strategies to increase participation, deepen donor engagement, and grow philanthropic support. The position works collaboratively across Advancement and with organizational leadership to develop and execute fundraising strategies, create compelling opportunities for donor investment, and ensure a high level of donor stewardship.

The ideal candidate brings experience in major gifts, foundation relations, and/or planned giving, along with strong relationship-building, communication, and fundraising skills and a passion for the mission of public media.

Key Responsibilities

• Reports: To the Senior Director of Major Gifts at Houston Public Media.
• Major Gift Solicitation: Manage a portfolio of qualified major gift donors and prospects, foundations and planned giving prospects.
• Giving Society Oversight: Help direct the strategy, growth, and stewardship of the station's premier annual giving societies (Affinity Council, Studio Society and Legacy Circle).
• Donor Cultivation: Follow the Major Gifts Team Giving Societies Strategic Plan while also designing personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for portfolio.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work interdepartmentally and with executive leadership to align donor interests with station needs.
• Pipeline Development: Create clear pathways for annual donors to transition into major gift and planned giving portfolios.
• Staff Management: Supervise and mentor designated development coordinators or gift officers, as applicable.
• Events: Occasional evening and weekend work is required in support of events.

Qualifications and Skills

• Experience: Minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressive fundraising experience, with a proven track record of closing major gifts ($25k+).
• Public Media Knowledge: Deep appreciation for public radio, television, or non-profit journalism missions.
• Relationship Building: Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with donor CRM databases (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, etc.) and prospect research tools.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.