Background:

The Forward produces fearless, award-winning news and engaging cultural coverage. Founded in 1897, The Forward has won its loyal audience through hard-hitting investigative reporting and strong editorial content in stories that matter to American and global audiences. While The Forward was founded as a Yiddish-language daily, the organization has become a trusted mainstream content producer. The Forward continues to innovate, working at the forefront of modern news and expanding its digital offerings. In addition to its modern media context, The Forward is committed to promoting and sustaining the Yiddish language.

This is a time of momentum for The Forward which is increasingly being viewed as a trailblazer among digital media giants.  The Forward’s ascending reputation in critical news reporting – truth in current events, history and culture – makes this an exciting opportunity for the right candidate.

The Position:

The Vice President of Development (VPD) is a visionary leader who will transform The Forward into a modern fundraising powerhouse. The VPD will capitalize on a thriving and rapidly expanding subscription base, stewarding and converting these into a philanthropic community, as well as catalyzing institutional and individual major gifts support. The VPD will be a creative innovator, passionate about the role investigative journalism plays in a democratic society and the historic mission of the organization. In addition to being an experienced development professional, the VPD will be a brand ambassador externally and an excellent manager internally; someone who can create a compelling case and build an infrastructure for development operations that aligns with The Forward's long-term strategic plan to maximize contributed income. The VPD will be a leader who motivates a results-oriented team, creates strong morale and fosters open dialogue.

Principal Responsibilities:

To achieve the aims described above The Vice President of Development is responsible for carrying out the following duties and responsibilities:

• Top leadership responsibility for creating and overseeing a re-envisioned fundraising infrastructure, including strategic planning, systems, communications and staff
• Work closely and alongside the CEO to identify funding needs, strategy, targets and approaches
• Formally capture strategic development planning in an executable revenue source plan that includes objectives, prospects, expenses, adjustments to systems, timelines, schedules
• Develop systems that build the donor base of individuals, foundations and corporations; facilitate research, prospecting, and application to multiple donor sources; ensure long-term donor engagement and retention; and support the successful completion of annual campaigns
• Increase the national and global visibility and awareness of the work and mission of The Forward
• Experience with assessment and metrics for best practices in major gift and pipeline development
• Direct additional development activities including special events, foundation and corporate sponsorships, individual giving and grant writing
• Develop new fundraising events and, where appropriate, work with donor volunteers on local hosted events and special initiatives

Qualifications

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years of experience in the development field in positions with increasing management responsibility
• Knowledge of the Jewish cultural arena and journalism
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience creating, managing and leading a professional development team
• Solid track record of fundraising among major donors, foundations, corporations and sponsors

Qualities

• Positive and diplomatic attitude, highest level of personal integrity
• Commitment to The Forward’s mission and organizational values
• Intrinsic motivation, creative outlook