Chief Development Officer

About the Role

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is an in-person executive leadership position responsible for the successful growth of Nashville PBS. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the CDO creates, drives, and implements a comprehensive revenue strategy that supports both immediate and long-term organizational growth.

The CDO oversees all areas of Development, including membership and on-air/digital campaigns, major donors, individual giving, foundation and institutional giving, grant proposals and reporting, corporate sponsorships, special project and content funding, planned giving, and fundraising events.

This position serves as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team and works closely with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Development Committee, community stakeholders, and independent development and marketing contractors. The ideal candidate is a strategic, relationship-driven leader with a proven history of fundraising success, team leadership, and building partnerships that advance a mission-driven organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for all Nashville PBS Development activities.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with the Nashville PBS Strategic Plan.
• Lead and grow institutional and foundation giving, project funding, major gifts, membership, planned giving, grant proposals, and fundraising campaigns.
• Coordinate donor cultivation strategies with the President & CEO and Development team.
• Recruit, mentor, supervise, and develop Development staff.
• Establish annual revenue goals and monitor progress through monthly dashboards and quarterly Board reports.
• Assist the President & CEO with capital campaigns and Board fundraising initiatives.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Development Committee, and Advisory Boards.

Revenue Growth & Community Partnerships

• Build and strengthen relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, volunteers, and community leaders.
• Identify and cultivate new strategic partnerships and revenue opportunities.
• Oversee key fundraising vendors and independent contractors while ensuring accountability and performance.
• Represent Nashville PBS throughout the community, viewing region, and public media landscape.
• Develop new funding opportunities through sponsorships, partnerships, and special projects.

Leadership & Cross-Department Collaboration

• Partner with the President & CEO and Senior Leadership Team to identify new sources of revenue through products, services, events, and community partnerships.
• Serve as an in-house strategic resource on nonprofit fundraising, marketing, communications, and emerging revenue opportunities.
• Lead fundraising efforts during donor events, pledge campaigns, live productions, screenings, and community engagement activities.
• Collaborate across departments to align organizational goals and revenue strategies.
• Foster a positive workplace culture that reflects Nashville PBS' mission, vision, and values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience building community partnerships.
• Experience working with nonprofit boards.
• Demonstrated success cultivating and closing major gifts of $25,000 or more.
• Grant writing, project funding, and grant reporting experience preferred.
• Familiarity with planned giving and digital fundraising.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit fundraising software. Experience with CDP/MSB is a plus.
• Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and communication abilities.
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
• Passion for public media and serving a mission-driven organization.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Management, or a related field required. Advanced degree or professional certifications preferred.
• Ten or more years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, marketing, business development, project fundraising, or related fields preferred.
• Demonstrated record of leading successful fundraising programs and revenue growth.
• Five or more years of supervisory or executive leadership experience preferred.

Work Environment

This position is based in Nashville, Tennessee and requires regular in-person attendance. Occasional evening, weekend, and limited out-of-state travel may be required. Candidates should be able to perform the physical requirements of a professional office environment, including prolonged computer use and occasional lifting of up to 15 pounds.