Director OF Development

The Vision As the Poynter Institute celebrates 50 years of elevating journalism, we are expanding our development team to meet a critical moment for democracy. While our online membership programs for Poynter and PolitiFact have successfully engaged a combined audience of over 6,500 small-dollar donors, we require a dedicated Director of Development to bridge the gap between audience members and high-impact supporters. This strategic leadership role is designed for a relational strategist who can take grassroots online donations and grow it into a multi-year, four-to-five-figure commitment. You will serve as the primary lead for our mid-to-high-level donor pipeline and the lead architect of our signature event sponsorships. The Role & Strategic Focus The Director of Development is a high-activity, high-impact position focused on driving individual major giving and corporate sponsorships in the $1,000 to $25,000+ range. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Development, you will hold comprehensive strategic oversight of a major gifts portfolio consisting of 100-150 leads. You will be responsible for the donor experience by moving beyond automated emails to build genuine, one-on-one relationships via phone, video, and in-person visits. Key Responsibilities & Performance Goals Pipeline Leadership: Direct the full range of moves management of Poynter and PolitiFact’s 6,500+ online membership base into mid-level and major donors. Strategically target PolitiFact's Truth Squad digital donors for pipeline development and elevated giving. Goal: Actively steward a portfolio of 100-150 donors. Activity Target: Conduct a minimum of 20 substantive donor visits/discovery calls and 8 direct solicitations per quarter. Gala Sponsorships: Serve as the lead for Poynter’s signature annual event, the Bowtie Ball, with a target of raising a minimum of $500,000 annually. Direct the sales and renewal process for corporate and major donor table sponsorships ranging from $10,000 to $25,000+. Prospect Research & Data: Oversee CRM management within Salesforce to maintain donor records. Use wealth screening systems (e.g., DonorSearch) to systematically identify and convert digital leads into high-value contributors. Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Partner extensively with the AVP of Development to design high-level solicitation materials. Collaborate with marketing leadership and digital audience managers to refine donor messaging, ensure high quality collateral, and build personalized stewardship tracks. Required Qualifications Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in non-profit fundraising, major gift solicitations, or corporate sponsorship sales. Key Traits: A proactive asker mentality with the comfort, senior pitch skills, and drive to initiate discovery calls and directly secure four- and five-figure gifts. Strong strategic campaign management capabilities. Entrepreneurial Grit: Thrive in a build-it environment, proactively pursuing leads in the CRM rather than waiting for a task list. Mission Alignment: Exceptional one-on-one communication skills with a deep, genuine affinity for journalism, fact-checking, and the First Amendment. Passion for democracy and the mission to convince others to invest. Preferred Qualifications Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential. Location & Work Environment Location: Candidates must be based in, or willing to relocate to, the St. Petersburg or Tampa Bay region. Hybrid Schedule: Requires a minimum of two days in office per week in-office at Poynter’s St. Petersburg headquarters to enable in-person collaboration and local donor engagement. Hours & Travel: Requires flexibility for evening and weekend work to attend events and donor meetings. May require travel to fundraising events outside of Tampa Bay up to four times annually. Reports To: Associate Vice President of Development Position Type: Full-Time, Individual Contributor (No direct reports) FLSA Status: Exempt Physical Requirements Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while working on a computer. Ability to travel locally and nationally as required. Ability to navigate event spaces and interact with attendees during evening or weekend functions. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during events. Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds, such as event materials, signage and supplies, during event setup and breakdown. Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a computer, phone and video conferencing tools. Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $85,000 to $100,000, commensurate with experience and market-competitive for the Tampa Bay region. This role includes a 6-month performance review. Health and Wellness: Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance with an employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), plus company-paid Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Basic Life & AD&D insurance. Parental Leave: Up to 24 weeks of compensated leave for birth mothers and up to 16 weeks for spouses, partners, and adoptive parents. Financial & Retirement: A 403(b) retirement plan that includes a 1% employer contribution of eligible compensation. Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off, seven designated paid holidays, and a paid Winter Break for the last two weeks of the calendar year. Work Environment: A flexible hybrid work model and a pet-friendly workplace at the St. Petersburg headquarters. Legal & Compliance At-Will Employment: Employment with the Poynter Institute is at-will, meaning either the employee or the employer can terminate the relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice. Background Check: Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): The Poynter Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.