Development Director

Development Director

Free Speech TV (FSTV), a Denver, Colorado-based independent news network, is seeking a Development Director. This hybrid remote/in-person position on FSTV's Development Team is responsible for shaping and executing FSTV's Development Strategy, in collaboration with the Leadership Team and Co-Executive Directors. The Development Director will join and lead a highly collaborative, consensus-oriented team whose practice is grounded in donor- and community-centric fundraising theory. In short, we see our donors as people first and as crucial members of our community.

Our FSTV staff of 16, as well as our mission, are dedicated to affecting social change through journalism, narrative shaping, and storytelling. As a result, FSTV is 85% individual-donor funded. Our viewers are not passive supporters, but activated social justice partners who are inspired by FSTV to become civically engaged.

This nation needs independent media now more than ever, and with its national platform, FSTV is uniquely positioned to meet this moment. To do that, we need to identify new revenue streams to grow. This role will continue to lead a multi-year strategic plan to diversify FSTV revenue sources while ensuring continued support from our dedicated donor base so we can further our mission to empower a multiracial democracy and build a more just, equitable world.

The Details:

What You'll Be Doing:

• Working with the Co-Executive Directors to develop and manage FSTV's fundraising strategy across all media platforms, reflecting FSTV's commitment to fearless truth-telling, amplifying the stories of under-represented communities and advancing FSTV's mission of building a more just, equitable and anti-racist world.
• Managing, leading, and coordinating the Development Department to execute fundraising strategy for maximum revenue generation, including employee supervision and coaching, and goal setting that aligns with the network's overall strategic goals. This includes overseeing the following existing programs and working to diversify revenue:
• Individual Donor
• Foundations and Grants
• Sponsorships and Underwriting
• Additional revenue generation projects (such as merchandise store, employer giving, and Civic Shout)
• Conducting fundraising-related research to identify and implement new revenue-generation opportunities
• Coordinating cross-departmental activities and projects
• In collaboration with the Database Administrator & Analyst, tracking, analyzing and reporting on fundraising strategies and outcomes
• Ensuring a high level of customer service for individual donors and tracking viewer feedback to inform programming, promotional, and fundraising strategies
• In coordination with Co-Executive Directors and Development team, preparing grant proposals and reports, monitoring deadlines, and gathering information
• Overseeing vendor relationships, including bills/payments and coaching staff to build trust among colleagues and organization partners across lines of difference
• Managing all aspects of the Development budget, including tracking expenses and revenue, developing budgets and fundraising revenue projections for the network, and supporting monthly reconciliation with the business office.
• Representing the organization externally and internally
• Participating on the FSTV Leadership Team, including contributing to the network's overall strategic visioning
• Occasional travel may be required.

This list is not all-inclusive. Other duties may be assigned as the position evolves. The choice of duties and responsibilities is at the discretion of FSTV.

We're Looking For Someone Who Is:

• Dedicated to social justice, independent media, and a drive to affect change.
• Adept in authentic relationship building and management with both internal and external partners.
• Comfortable working in a 9-5 hybrid environment with a highly collaborative, consensus-oriented team.
• Confident in written and verbal communications with a variety of internal and external partners, while working with different communication styles.
• Able to learn on the job, spot issues, think quickly, problem-solve, and diplomatically deal with complex issues with sound judgment.
• Able to think strategically and creatively.
• Ability to manage and craft systems.
• Able to be self-accountable.
• Highly organized.

Qualifications:

• Considerable knowledge, ability, and skill application in fundraising/development
• The ability to:
• Manage teams
• Coordinate projects to meet goals
• Communicate effectively in both written and verbal form
• Supervise
• Coach
• Budget
• Assess, plan, and execute strategy
• Bachelor's degree in a related field OR an equivalent combination of 4 years education and/or experience in fundraising/development and team management
• Ability to learn on the job, spot issues, problem-solve, think quickly, and diplomatically deal with complex issues with sound judgment
• Exceptional analytical skills
• Self accountability with minimal external direction needed
• Outstanding ability to adhere to schedules and deadlines
• Comfortable working in a highly collaborative, consensus-oriented environment

FSTV's Mission & History:

Operating in its 31st year, Free Speech TV (FSTV) is a national, nonprofit, independent news network whose mission is to empower a multiracial democracy to build a more just, equitable world. Powered by its viewers, FSTV amplifies the voices not heard on corporate networks and lifts up the efforts of ordinary people working on the frontlines of racial, economic, and environmental justice. Using the power of media, FSTV believes it can help foster a just, kind, and sustainable world built by people who are inspired by diverse voices, surprising conversations, and fearless truth-telling.

Free Speech TV airs 24/7 with daily news programs like Democracy Now! and The Thom Hartmann Program, with weekly current affairs series like Gay USA and ICT, with award-winning documentaries, and with special coverage of events and movements like Netroots Nation, Bioneers, No Kings, and the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. FSTV reaches 30 million US homes via DISH, DIRECTV, local cable affiliates, Sling TV, Roku, Apple TV, Alexa, social media, and freespeech.org.

Location:

This is a hybrid remote/in-person position. At this time, this position is expected to be in the office at least 1 day per week at FSTV's headquarters in Denver, Colorado, and remote 4 days per week. Occasional extra office days may be required. Free Speech TV will provide the necessary equipment to work from home as well as access to its headquarter offices Monday Friday. The remote/in-person schedule is subject to change. Working hours are typically Monday Friday from 9 am 5 pm MT.

A Note About Health & Safety Protocols:

Free Speech TV values the health and safety of its employees over all other considerations. At this time, due to relaxed guidance from the CDC, we have removed our mask and vaccination requirements as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, FSTV reserves the right to mandate employees wear masks and be vaccinated while physically with other employees (such as in the office) or at an organization-sponsored event.

Free Speech TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based upon age, race, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, status as a veteran, status as an individual with a disability or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.