Vice President, Development

Lehigh Valley Public Media; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Lehigh Valley Public Media in Bethlehem, PA, seeks a Vice President of Development to advance its mission by growing philanthropy, major gifts, memberships, and corporate partnerships. You will lead a high-performing team and partner with the President & CEO and the Board to expand sustainable revenue and community impact.

We’re looking for a senior fundraiser who can build data-informed strategies, manage donor pipelines, and cultivate lasting relationships with foundations, corporate sponsors,

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in fundraising or development.
• Proven track record growing major gifts and donor pipelines.
• Strong collaboration with executives and boards.

Responsibilities

• Build and execute a strategic fundraising plan aligned with LVPM’s mission.
• Grow and manage relationships with major donors, foundations, and philanthropic partners.
• Develop thoughtful cultivation and stewardship strategies linking donor interests to community impact.
• Partner with the President & CEO and Board on donor cultivation and major opportunities.
• Develop integrated partnership and sponsorship opportunities across LVPM’s programs and platforms.
• Build relationships with business and community leaders to grow partnerships.
• Grow multi-year partnerships delivering value for LVPM and partners.
• Lead LVPM’s membership program towards deeper donor relationships.
• Connect membership strategies with LVPM’s programming and digital experiences.
• Use data insights to strengthen donor acquisition, retention and engagement.
• Lead and develop a high-performing fundraising team; set goals and accountability.
• Improve CRM, pipeline reporting, and stewardship processes.
• Collaborate across LVPM to align community impact with philanthropy.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Major gifts

Donor relations

Team leadership

CRM management

Tools

CRM software

Sponsorship systems

Job description

Lehigh Valley Public Media is the public media organization serving Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. We are community-powered and community-centered, connecting people through trusted local news and information, educational programs, storytelling, and experiences that bring neighbors together. Our mission is to engage everyone in our community through public media resources to make the Lehigh Valley better tomorrow than it is today.

We’re looking for a Vice President of Development who can help turn that mission into lasting support.

This leader will build meaningful relationships with the people, businesses, and philanthropic partners who believe in the Lehigh Valley and want to invest in its future. The VP of Development will lead LVPM’s fundraising strategy, growing philanthropy and major gifts, strengthening corporate partnerships and sponsorships, and building deeper relationships with our members and supporters.

This is a role for someone who loves both relationships and building: someone who can cultivate a major donor, develop a compelling partnership, coach a team, strengthen the systems behind the work and help people understand what their investment makes possible for our community.

What You’ll Do

• Build and execute a strategic, data-informed fundraising plan aligned with LVPM’s mission and priorities.
• Grow and actively manage relationships with major donors, foundations, and philanthropic partners.
• Develop thoughtful, personalized cultivation and stewardship strategies that connect donor interests with community needs and impact.
• Partner with the President & CEO and Board on donor cultivation, strategic introductions and major philanthropic opportunities.

Grow Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships

• Develop integrated partnership and sponsorship opportunities across LVPM’s news and information, educational programs, storytelling, digital platforms, events and community engagement.
• Build strong relationships with business and community leaders throughout the region.
• Grow multi-year partnerships that create meaningful value for LVPM, our partners, and the community.
• Lead the continued evolution of LVPM’s membership program toward deeper, long-term relationships with members and supporters.
• Connect membership strategies with LVPM’s programming, digital experiences, events and audience engagement.
• Use audience and donor insights, segmentation and data to strengthen acquisition, retention and engagement.

Lead the Team & Build the Operation

• Lead and develop a high-performing team spanning philanthropy, membership, sponsorship/underwriting and stewardship.
• Establish clear goals, accountability, and professional development for the team.
• Improve CRM, pipeline management, reporting, KPIs, and stewardship practices.
• Collaborate across LVPM so community impact helps drive philanthropy and donor insights help us better understand and serve our community.

These responsibilities reflect the core areas of ownership in the role, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, membership, team leadership, and development operations.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means building sustainable revenue and strong relationships that allow LVPM to deepen its impact across the Lehigh Valley.

You’ll help:

• Expand LVPM’s relationships with major donors, foundations, and philanthropic partners.
• Grow corporate partnerships and sponsorship revenue.
• Strengthen membership, retention, and long-term engagement.
• Build and maintain a healthy fundraising pipeline with clear goals and accountability.
• Create stronger connections between donor investment and measurable community impact.
• Those outcomes align with the role's formal accountabilities for philanthropy, partnerships, membership, team leadership, and external engagement.