Chief Development Officer

ABOUT REVEAL/CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING (Reveal/CIR)

The Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) engages and empowers the public through investigative journalism and groundbreaking storytelling that sparks action, improves lives, and protects our democracy. Reveal, CIR’s public radio program and podcast reaches millions of people a week across more than 500 stations nationwide, its video team produces documentaries with the likes of Netflix and cable television channels, and teams up with partners across the country to distribute long-form stories in digital and print. Reveal/CIR is regularly recognized for excellence, creativity, and impact.

Reveal/CIR is known for its innovation and creativity. They push the boundaries of where and how their stories are told: REVEAL/CIR was the first investigative newsroom to launch a podcast; they’ve turned their stories into art installations and comic books; Reveal/CIR partners across the industry to reach big audiences – from Netflix to the Los Angeles Times, PBS NewsHour and The Guardian. Reveal/CIR makes it nearly impossible to miss their stories. In our 44 years, Reveal/CIR has racked up Emmy, Peabody and Murrow awards, and have even gotten an Oscar nomination for its work.  Reveal/CIR’s annual operating budget is $11 M.

For more information, please visit https://revealnews.org/

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reveal is seeking a chief development officer (CDO) to energize donors to support the mission of one of the most credible and impactful newsrooms in the country. Reveal invests the necessary resources to tell stories that can make change on some of the most pressing issues of our time. We are seeking a CDO who can accelerate our fundraising efforts and help make us a more sustainable organization.

Reveal/CIR is known for its innovation and creativity. We push the boundaries of where and how our stories are told: We were the first investigative newsroom to launch a podcast; we’ve turned our stories into art installations and comic books; we partner across the industry to reach big audiences – from Netflix to the Los Angeles Times, PBS NewsHour and The Guardian. We make it nearly impossible to miss our stories. In our 44 years, we have racked up Emmy, Peabody and Murrow awards, and we’ve even gotten an Oscar nomination for our work. Our budget is $11 million annually. We have an engaged donor base and network of social influencers who are ready to partner with our CDO to expand support for our work.

Reporting to the chief executive officer (CEO), the CDO is a collaborative leader who will set the strategic vision for our fundraising efforts and support our growth. The CDO is responsible for all fundraising and development activities, including individual donors, institutional funders, board give/get campaigns and membership. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the CDO will help set the vision for Reveal’s future and help ensure the organization has the resources to achieve its goals. The CDO will also partner with our board of directors as they take on a more active role in fundraising.

The CDO must have a proven track record of taking a creative, entrepreneurial, and institution-building approach to their work.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The CDO reports directly to Reveal/CIR’s new CEO, Kaizar Campwala. The CDO manages a talented team of fundraisers including a Development Manager, Development Officer - Foundation Relations, Director of Foundations, and major gifts consultant.  There is potential to grow the team.

The CDO also works closely with the Board and is responsible for staffing the Board’s development committee. The CDO is a member of the Senior Leadership team, which meets weekly.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the CEO, board members and senior staff to develop and implement a comprehensive multiyear development strategy that includes growth of foundation grants, major gifts, planned giving, and membership programs.
• Meet annual philanthropic fundraising goals of $8-$12 million.
• Build and maintain a strong major gifts portfolio of individual donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $5,000 or more.
• Expand and diversify major donor programs by identifying new prospects and cultivating deeper ties with existing donors.
• Create and build a comprehensive planned giving program including marketing, outreach, cultivation events, and create and manage a planned giving portfolio.
• Evaluate feasibility of creating an endowment campaign.
• With support from the development team, create and oversee a development event strategy, including quarterly luncheons, salons, private dinners, screenings, and donor briefings.
• In collaboration with the CEO and board chair, create opportunities for board members to engage in fundraising activities and leverage their networks and expertise for the benefit of REVEAL/CIR.
• Provide strong leadership and effective management for the development team, creating an environment of respect, creativity, opportunities for growth and professional education.
• Oversee development and execution of all grant proposals, reports, and donor communications, with a long-term, relationship-building approach.
• Actively utilize creative storytelling as a vehicle for engaging, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.
• Oversee research related to funding sources and trends to help position REVEAL/CIR in relationship to its peer organizations and ahead of major funding changes or trends.
• Oversee monitoring of all donor information in Salesforce; provide and present statistical analysis to the board and senior leaders.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High energy, creativity and passion for our mission is essential
• 10-plus years of professional development experience in a nonprofit organization; demonstrated success in managing and growing relationships representing diverse sources of funding, or equivalent experience considered
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build genuine, long-term relationships based on a passion for our mission
• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives who educates and nurtures staff so they might grow and advance in their knowledge
• Experience working with industry leaders in Silicon Valley, highly valued
• Planned giving knowledge and ability to market, cultivate and solicit and planned gifts including bequests, charitable remainder trusts, gifts of property, stocks, IRAs, and more
• Highest ethical standards and respect for confidentiality
• Willingness and ability to travel to the east coast at least four times per year for a week at a time and around the Bay Area by car
• Ability to stay current with fundraising and nonprofit best practices
• Embrace of innovation and technology; Salesforce experience is strongly desired. Additionally, experience preferred with other cloud- and computer-based programs, including Google Drive, Slack, Excel, etc.
• High degree of cultural competency required
• Passion for and dedication to the mission of Reveal/CIR

SALARY OR SALARY RANGE

The salary range for this position is $175,000 to $190,000 plus excellent benefits including 100% health, dental and vision coverage for employees and 50% for dependents, retirement benefits, and more.

In keeping with our commitment to equity and equal pay for all, Cook Silverman Search will post salary ranges on all job descriptions.

TO APPLY

To apply for this position, or for additional information on the opportunity, please send a copy of your resume with a cover letter to Victoria Silverman at apply@cooksilverman.com.

All applications and inquiries will receive a response and be kept strictly confidential.

Reveal/The Center for Investigative Reporting is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to diversify its workforce. In addition to valuing diverse life experiences and backgrounds, Reveal/CIR looks for people with relentlessness, camaraderie, and a drive to make a difference. Reveal/CIR recognizes that candidates may not meet all the criteria outlined, but if you are passionate about our work and have a vision to share, please apply. We will carefully consider every serious applicant.

Reveal/CIR is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. We will consider remote and local candidates for this position. Candidates who are based in the San Francisco Bay Area will be able to work on-site at our office when we reopen in the future.

REVEAL/CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING’S DEI STATEMENT

Reveal/CIR is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination or retaliation based on an individual's race, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Reveal is dedicated to fulfilling this policy in all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay and other compensation, end of employment, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

To apply for this position, or for additional information on the opportunity, please send a copy of your resume with a cover letter to Victoria Silverman at apply@cooksilverman.com.

All applications and inquiries will receive a response and be kept strictly confidential.