Director, IRW Development (7122)

The Director of Development leads all fundraising activities for the Investigative Reporting Workshop (IRW), a journalism center at the American University School of Communication. By raising external funds, the position drives the Workshop’s mission to hold institutions of power accountable while training new generations of reporters.

Under the direction of the Executive Editor, and in collaboration with AU’s Office of Development, the IRW Director of Development secures grants, solicits donations from individuals, and develops fundraising campaigns. Key responsibilities include strategic planning, prospecting, cultivating and retaining funders, and grant compliance and reporting. The Director works with leadership and staff to establish the Workshop's identity in the foundation, corporate and individual philanthropic world and leverages university development resources to support the Workshop’s growth.

1. Strategic Planning & Prospecting

Develops and executes plans for all fundraising activities of the Investigative Reporting Workshop with collaborative support from the Office of Development. With the Executive Editor and others within the Workshop, establishes annual fundraising goals and strategies and assumes responsibility for reaching those goals. Responsible for executing this strategy, collaborating closely with the Executive Editor, Managing Editor and project managers. Identifies potential funding prospects. meeting with potential donors, meeting with current donors and assists Executive Editor in closing gifts and grants for IRW.

2. Cultivation & Retention of Funders

Creates required documents such as letters of intent and grant proposals. Ensures compliance with requirements associated with specific grants, gifts and prospect solicitation in coordination with OSP, GCA, Provost, and SOC and Central Development offices. Ensures that records are kept thoroughly and accurately. Develops and delivers required periodic reports to funders.

3. Outreach

Helps lead effort to establish the Workshop's identity in the foundation, corporate and individual philanthropic world. Works closely with Workshop program staff to develop project descriptions for presentation to funders. Works with SOC and university marketing offices and others to coordinate messages to the growing Workshop community.

4. Participate in IRW, SOC, and AU meetings and activities. Other tasks as requested by the Executive Editor and Managing Editor.

5. Development Mentorship

Mentor other Workshop employees and students in development-related activities (if any/when applicable). Ensures that they are working according to the appropriate priorities; that calendars and reminders are current and up-to-date; that development reports are produced that reflect progress and challenges.

Reports directly to the IRW Executive Editor, and interacts with the Managing Editor and Operating Producer/Finance Manager. As well, the position works collaboratively and with the support of the SOC Chief Developent Officer and colleagues in AU’s Office of Development.

This position works under general supervision. Coordinates development activities with OSP, GCA, SOC, AU Development, and the Provost Office.

• Exempt
• Project Leader/Advisor A
• This position is fully contingent on external funds
• Evening and weekend work may be required
• Occasional travel may be required

• Salary Min $75,000 - Max $89,000

• Bachelor’s degree
• The position requires a minimum of 5-7 years of demonstrated progressive and successful development experience in the nonprofit community
• Experience with general supervision and responsibility for institutional and project budgets and goals
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required. Proven ability to work independently to meet goals and deadlines

• M.A. preferred
• Highly preferred that the candidate be knowledgeable of, and well-known to, funders in the specific areas of journalism and public policy
• Experience with education funding is a plus

• The Investigative Reporting Workshop, an independent center at American University School of Communication, pairs experienced professional reporters/editors with graduate students to conduct in-depth, long-form journalism on such issues as the environment, health, criminal justice, national security, immigration, and the economy. These investigations are co-published across print, web, television, film, and radio with major media partners and nonprofit newsrooms, including The Washington Post, NPR, and Reveal. The Workshop also co-produces documentaries for PBS’s Emmy and Peabody award-winning series FRONTLINE. The Workshop, founded in 2008 by Charles Lewis, is one of the largest and most innovative university-based newsrooms in the country. Lewis is a 1998 MacArthur Fellow, former producer at ABC News and CBS News “60 Minutes,” and founder of two Pulitzer Prize-winning nonprofit news organizations, the Center for Public Integrity and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists
• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check
• Whenever possible American University will seek to redeploy existing staff to fill this vacancy before hiring an external candidate

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