CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

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/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:

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• 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.

Nashville PBS Strategic Plan
View the successes of Nashville PBS' FY24–FY26 Strategic Plan.

To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter and resume to Human Resources.

Mail:
Human Resources
Nashville PBS
161 Rains Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203

Email: mblair@wnpt.org

Position will remain open until filled.

Corporate Account Executive (Contract)

This (contract) position is responsible for securing funding and sponsorships from corporations and businesses. Responsibilities include identifying prospective sponsors, building long-term relationships, developing custom sponsorship proposals (underwriting), and managing existing client accounts to meet revenue targets. This position offers a meaningful opportunity to connect Nashville’s business and philanthropic communities to public media that serves the middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky viewing area. The ideal candidate will be a great communicator, outgoing, detail-oriented, and excellent at follow-through.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Corporate Underwriting, Prospecting & Development: Identify, cultivate, and close new corporate underwriting agreements for Nashville PBS programming. 

• Build and maintain an active pipeline of prospects from initial contact through signed contracts and renewals.
• Partnership Package Development: Design comprehensive corporate partnership opportunities beyond traditional underwriting, including event sponsorships, digital marketing integrations, and community engagement packages.
• Once contracts are secured, work closely with production and traffic to ensure that all deliverables are completed.
• Underwriter Stewardship: Maintain active relationships with current underwriters through regular contact, fulfillment reporting, and renewal cultivation to maximize retention and revenue growth.
• Business Community Engagement: Attend chamber events, business networking functions, and industry meetings to build and expand corporate relationships throughout middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky viewing areas.
• Operate within the framework established by Nashville PBS Foundation’s policies, procedures, and practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills & Abilities: 

The Corporate Account Executive (Contract) at Nashville PBS (WNPT) is a high-impact, revenue-focused professional responsible for securing corporate sponsorships and underwriting support. This role combines a deep knowledge of the Nashville media market and FCC non-commercial regulations with a consultative approach to business development.Beyond traditional broadcast sales, they possess a deep fluency in multi-platform digital solutions and a refined ability to communicate with C-suite executives and local business leaders. Success in this role requires a blend of exceptional interpersonal skills, disciplined CRM management, and a commitment to maintaining the high standards of the PBS brand while consistently meeting or exceeding revenue targets in a fast-paced environment.

Education and Experience: 

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Mass Communications, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and significant, relevant work experience preferred. Minimum of 1–3 years of B2B sales experience, with a strong preference for media sales, advertising, or corporate underwriting. Proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets and cold-calling prospects to build a new book of business. Experience in the media market is highly desirable.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working to include but not limited to typing on a computer. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required (up to 25 lbs.), filing documents or storing materials throughout the workday. Proper lifting techniques required. For the most part ambient room temperatures, lighting, and traditional equipment as found in a typical office environment.

To Apply:
Please submit your resume to mblair@wnpt.org

Nashville PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer