Business and Community Development Specialist

Posting Number S-3940 | Position Number 72705

About the role

The Business and Community Development Specialist builds partnerships to secure new and steward existing sponsorships, underwriting agreements, and other revenue from businesses and organizations in support of WCMU Public Media. This position contributes to the success of the Development team within Public Broadcasting, providing vital revenue to support WCMU Public Media programs and outreach efforts within the context and culture of philanthropy.

Responsibilities

• Develops relationships with community leaders, businesses, and organizations to enhance WCMU's reputation and recognition as a valuable institution.
• Secures underwriting, sponsorship, trade, and other revenue from businesses and organizations in support of WCMU Public Media.
• Secures funding for special events, programming, local content, and fundraisers, as required.
• Assists with special events and other development efforts, including on-air pledge drives.
• Analyzes and interprets audience and market research, utilizing knowledge and metrics to generate and cultivate new and prospective clients.
• Achieves goals for underwriting, sponsorship, and other revenue-generating initiatives as agreed upon with the Director of Development for WCMU Public Media.
• Participates in professional development opportunities as budget and time permits.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or a combination of education and experience that equates to four years.
• Demonstrated experience with philanthropy, sponsorship, or sales.
• Possession of a valid driver's license with access to a vehicle.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to form positive relationships with individuals from a variety of backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter with a committed work ethic and the ability to project a positive image.
• Ability to work effectively in teams as well as independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of experience with philanthropy, sponsorship, or media sales.
• Prior experience in public media.
• Appreciation for and understanding of public media, especially WCMU programming and its mission.

Pay

$36,069 per year, plus commission.

Schedule

• Full-time, 12-month position.
• Weekly work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with weekends and evenings as needed.

Benefits

CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state, and national norms.

About the Department

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives. We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master's, specialist, and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science, and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.

CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology, and more.

Central is home to 17 men's and women's Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling, and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.

CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It's part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland, and the state's largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant. Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city's central location in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.