Director of Development – Kite & Key Media – New York, NY or Virtual

About Kite & Key Media

Kite & Key Media is a nonprofit digital company dedicated to illuminating the biggest issues facing America and the world. Driven by facts and evidence, its videos translate cutting-edge research and journalism into digestible media that offers the context necessary for understanding issues affecting our lives.

Benjamin Franklin famously said that the Founding Fathers had given us “A republic—if you can keep it.” Kite & Key Media (named for Franklin and his early experiments with lightning and electricity) is on a mission to ensure that the general public has access to clear, fact-based, illuminating insights on the most pressing issues of our time. We believe that wise self-governance begins with reliable information—and so we serve a crucial, often neglected, and specific target audience: the millions of Americans who are not yet engaged with politics or policy. Our content is meticulously crafted to provide objective, research-backed perspectives that provide essential context to these consumers in an entertaining format they are willing—even eager—to consume. We seek team members who share our commitment to the pursuit of truth, factual accuracy, and public understanding—with the goal of improving our civic discourse and strengthening our republic.

About the Role

We are seeking a Director of Development to lead and expand our fundraising efforts. This role will involve managing a portfolio of foundation and high-net-worth individual donors, securing strategic multiyear gifts, and growing our new paid membership program. The Director will work closely with the Marketing team to increase membership and identify potential major donors.

The ideal candidate will have a track record of successfully engaging and securing major gifts from high-level donors, as well as experience managing membership programs. A passion for public policy, public education, and digital media is key, along with a deep commitment to our mission: advancing thoughtful, fact-based policy discussions to promote a wiser society.

This is an independent, self-directed role with significant room for growth as the team expands. Prior management experience is a plus, though the role currently does not involve direct staff supervision.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this is a full-time position with the option to be in-office in New York City, or to work virtually anywhere in the US. The projected salary range for this role is $90,000-$120,000, contingent upon the specific skills and experience of the selected candidate.

Key Objectives and Responsibilities

• Work collegially, creatively, and with shared purpose with the Chief Development Officer to achieve fundraising objectives.
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategy with measurable objectives and goals to generate current and future revenue from foundations and high-net-worth individuals.
• Design and implement incentives and strategies to convert highly engaged viewers into paying members.
• Identify prospects, from your own network and from conducting in-depth research, to understand their philanthropic priorities and passions, and structure thoughtful outreach strategies.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in roles related to individual and major donor cultivation, stewardship, foundation grants, and/or membership programs.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.
• Proven ability to achieve personal annual fundraising goals of $1 million or more in new gifts.
• Track record of creating and implementing successful development strategies in accountable positions.
• Demonstrated success in executing major gifts programs, including prospect engagement, face-to-face cultivation, and solicitation of gifts; strong skills in identifying, researching, cultivating, and stewarding prospects and donors.
• Experience in building membership efforts alongside major gifts, with insights into effective digital marketing strategies.
• Willingness to travel domestically (approximately 25%) to engage with prospects and donors, with occasional trips to New York for in-person meetings with the Chief Development Officer. Travel requirements are flexible based on the candidate’s preferences.

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of the following skills and attributes:

• Creative and Strategic Thinker: A congenial individual with an entrepreneurial spirit, a sense of urgency, and a knack for finding opportunities. Highly organized, strategic, diplomatic, and results-oriented.
• Energetic and Passionate: A polished, self-starting individual with vision and drive.
• Relationship Builder: Skilled at building relationships, inspiring trust and confidence, and collaborating with individuals across various positions inside and outside the organization.
• Effective Communicator: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, capable of understanding and conveying policy-related ideas, priorities, and issues in ways that inspire donors.
• Team Player: An excellent team player who works well with others.
• Unwavering Integrity: Demonstrates honesty, directness, and integrity above reproach.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:

• A cover letter sharing how your values and experience align with Kite & Key’s mission to make evidence-based information accessible and engaging for all—especially those Americans who are only just beginning to access the world of policy ideas.
• Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.

Questions can be directed to Savannah Rupp, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected].

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.