Chief Development Officer

Chief Development Officer

Chief Development Officer, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Location: Philadelphia, PA - Hybrid

What You'll Do

• Drive annual philanthropic revenue growth for the Inquirer by developing and executing a multi-channel strategy to expand grants and philanthropic support for the Inquirer's mission, journalism and initiatives.
• Establish and achieve annual and long-term fundraising and partnership goals by designing data-informed, creative acquisition and retention strategies that foster lifelong engagement from foundations, partners and individual donors.
• Evaluate and optimize the organization's development operations — setting clear goals, defining metrics, and implementing a scalable structure to exponentially grow philanthropic revenue working in partnership with The Lenfest Institute.
• Build and manage a portfolio of major donors, foundations, and corporate partners, and who are aligned with the company's mission, journalism and media innovation.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing leadership to strengthen brand awareness and audience engagement through coordinated campaigns that inspire giving and partnership.
• Oversee all fundraising programs — including donor and foundation giving, major gifts, grants, as well as individual/small scale donations — ensuring alignment with the company's creative and strategic priorities.
• Build and manage a team of fundraising professionals to deliver on execution of strategic initiatives.
• Develop and manage the annual development budget, maximizing resources and ensuring financial sustainability and transparency.
• Represent the organization externally, engaging with funders, foundations and community stakeholders to build lasting, mission-aligned relationships.
• Contribute to an inclusive and positive work environment

Who We're Looking For

• Ten (10) or more years of leadership experience with expertise in development and fundraising
• A purpose-driven storyteller with a deep passion for the importance of local journalism and the Inquirer's mission
• A strategic thinker that can identify opportunities for growth and develop successful approaches to fundraising.
• A relationship builder with a proven track record of securing major gifts and multi-year funding commitments.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills — adept at storytelling, negotiation, and relationship-building.
• Experience working with Executive-level leaders in fundraising and strategic initiatives.

About Us

The Philadelphia Inquirer is the media brand of record in Philadelphia and the region, and the largest news media organization in the state of Pennsylvania. A daily habit for almost 200 years, The Inquirer delivers Pulitzer Prize-winning news, sports, food, and lifestyle journalism multi-platform: Inquirer.com, Inquirer newspaper, e-editions, apps, newsletters, social, video, podcasts, and live events, generating 15M monthly impressions. Locally owned and headquartered in Philadelphia, no media brand is more deeply connected to the city or better understands what drives it. Our influence also extends across key drive markets, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York, as well as to Philadelphia expats who live across the country and root for the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, and the Union.

The Inquirer is an equal opportunity employer for all regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, and any other category protected by federal, state and/or local law.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.