VP, Development

Job Description

Job Description

The Paley Center for Media, the world’s leading nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving and engaging the public in the exploration of the powerful culture-shaping influence of media, is hiring a Vice President, Development to lead the fundraising strategy behind one of the country’s most distinctive media and cultural institutions. This executive will shape how Paley builds philanthropic support for its museum, programs, festivals, exhibits, education work, and renowned archive.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff and serving as a member of the senior management team, the VP, Development owns an annual goal of at least $12 million in contributed income. The role leads the full development operation, including individual giving, membership and patron programs, corporate sponsorships and memberships, galas, foundation and government grants, client services, and database management.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The VP, Development is responsible for building the relationships, team, and fundraising engine that help Paley bring its mission to life through:

• Raising at least $12 million in contributed income annually to support Paley’s work in New York City and Los Angeles
• Growing a strong and diverse donor base across individuals, corporations, foundations, and government partners
• Creating meaningful opportunities for supporters to connect with Paley’s programs, people, and mission
• Leading and mentoring a high-performing development team
• Building reliable systems, pipelines, and reporting that support long-term fundraising growth

Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Leadership

• Develop and lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy for New York City and Los Angeles that meets annual revenue targets
• Grow Corporate, President’s Circle, Patron Circle, and Individual Memberships
• Expand revenue from sponsorships, private and corporate foundations, government giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, planned giving, and other sources of contributed income
• Maintain current prospect pipelines and clear plans for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Use AI-supported fundraising tools, data analytics, and predictive modeling to strengthen donor engagement, find new funding opportunities, and improve strategy

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• Serve as a front-line solicitor, deepening relationships with current donors while identifying and securing new individual and institutional support
• Build and maintain a strong network among high-net-worth individuals, program officers, corporate social responsibility leaders, and members of the media and communications community
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts, including increased participation in the Patron Circle and President’s Circle
• Manage communications with current and prospective donors to provide a thoughtful, consistent, and high-quality experience

Galas, Sponsorships & Institutional Giving

• Develop compelling grant proposals and sponsorship materials for Paley’s annual television festivals, exhibits, public programs, and other events featuring leading voices in media and entertainment
• Research, identify, and secure support for the annual Paley Honors galas in New York and Los Angeles and the Paley Honors luncheon in New York
• Lead fundraising strategy for two annual galas, including the New York event in the spring and the Los Angeles event in the fall, as well as the annual New York luncheon
• Manage donor and sponsor relationships from initial outreach through fulfillment and ongoing stewardship

Team Leadership, Systems & Operations

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of development professionals
• Ensure strong fundraising systems, procedures, record keeping, database management, and fulfillment practices are in place
• Monitor all donor information and prepare statistical analyses and reports for the President & CEO and executive team
• Manage all logistics to ensure seamless execution of Development events
• Stay current on fundraising trends and apply proven practices across the department
• Attend all Paley programs, VIP receptions, and donor cultivation events
• Engage as a Paley Ambassador by actively sharing Paley’s social media posts within personal and professional networks to amplify the organization’s reach and strengthen community engagement.
• Support additional programs and projects assigned by the Paley executive team

CORE COMPETENCIES

Our successful employees meet the following criteria:

• Highly organized, with a proven ability to meet deadlines and budgets.
• Outstanding leadership and management skills, including the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Ability to take ownership of all assigned tasks and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Outstanding verbal communication, superior business writing, and strong time management skills.
• Positive and professional demeanor, with excellent interpersonal, administrative, and managerial skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks while maintaining close attention to detail.
• Resourcefulness, creativity, and strong problem-solving and research skills.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of experience raising at least $10 million in contributed income annually, including six- and seven-figure gifts
• Deep knowledge of the New York and Los Angeles fundraising communities, with relationships among high-net-worth individuals, program officers, and corporate social responsibility executives
• Knowledge of the media and communications industry, including its key organizations and leaders
• A strong personal network and the ability to build, expand, and sustain donor relationships
• Strategic command of prospect research, proposal development, and the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors
• Strong knowledge of fundraising methods and current best practices
• Proficiency with AI-powered fundraising tools, data analytics, and predictive modeling to support donor engagement, campaign performance, and revenue growth
• Experience preparing budgets and managing record keeping and fulfillment
• A proactive, energetic, and highly organized approach
• An engaging communication style and the ability to work effectively with people at every level of the organization
• An entrepreneurial leadership style with the ability to train, motivate, manage, and inspire cross-functional teams
• A strong work ethic and preference for in-person collaboration in a high-energy office environment
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Bilingual fluency in Spanish is a plus

Total Compensation Range: $250,000 - $300,000

About The Paley Center for Media

The Paley Center for Media is the world’s leading 501 (c)(3) nonprofit cultural institution whose mission is to preserve our media history and to explore media’s powerful shaping influence on our culture.

The Paley Center for Media owns the iconic New York Paley Museum where media, sports, gaming, tech, and entertainment come together, and during the year, produces unmatched programs for the public and industry. On the public side, programs celebrate the very best of television, digital content, and interactive entertainment. On the industry side, the Paley Center convenes the most influential business leaders to explore and debate the most critical issues and opportunities within the industry while also fostering a sense of community amongst peers. Through its respected Paley Impact series, programs educate and explore how media impacts culture and shapes public discourse on important societal issues.

At the heart of The Paley Center sits the Paley Archive, which represents the largest public collection of its kind and is often cited as a national treasure, with over 160,000 programs spanning more than 100 years. This collection also serves as an incredible resource for K-12 educators and students nationwide that are served through its respected education classes.

Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit paleycenter.org.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Paley Center for Media maintains a strong policy of equal opportunity in employment. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations.