VP, Development

The Paley Center for Media, the world’s leading nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving and engaging the public in the exploration of the powerful culture-shaping influence of media, is hiring a Vice President, Development to lead the fundraising strategy behind one of the country’s most distinctive media and cultural institutions. This executive will shape how Paley builds philanthropic support for its museum, programs, festivals, exhibits, education work, and renowned archive.
Reporting to the Chief of Staff and serving as a member of the senior management team, the VP, Development owns an annual goal of at least $12 million in contributed income. The role leads the full development operation, including individual giving, membership and patron programs, corporate sponsorships and memberships, galas, foundation and government grants, client services, and database management.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The VP, Development is responsible for building the relationships, team, and fundraising engine that help Paley bring its mission to life through:
Raising at least $12 million in contributed income annually to support Paley’s work in New York City and Los Angeles
Growing a strong and diverse donor base across individuals, corporations, foundations, and government partners
Creating meaningful opportunities for supporters to connect with Paley’s programs, people, and mission
Leading and mentoring a high-performing development team
Building reliable systems, pipelines, and reporting that support long-term fundraising growth
Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Leadership
Develop and lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy for New York City and Los Angeles that meets annual revenue targets
Grow Corporate, President’s Circle, Patron Circle, and Individual Memberships
Expand revenue from sponsorships, private and corporate foundations, government giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, planned giving, and other sources of contributed income
Maintain current prospect pipelines and clear plans for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Use AI-supported fundraising tools, data analytics, and predictive modeling to strengthen donor engagement, find new funding opportunities, and improve strategy
Donor Cultivation & Stewardship
Serve as a front-line solicitor, deepening relationships with current donors while identifying and securing new individual and institutional support
Build and maintain a strong network among high-net-worth individuals, program officers, corporate social responsibility leaders, and members of the media and communications community
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts, including increased participation in the Patron Circle and President’s Circle
Manage communications with current and prospective donors to provide a thoughtful, consistent, and high-quality experience
Galas, Sponsorships & Institutional Giving
Develop compelling grant proposals and sponsorship materials for Paley’s annual television festivals, exhibits, public programs, and other events featuring leading voices in media and entertainment
Research, identify, and secure support for the annual Paley Honors galas in New York and Los Angeles and the Paley Honors luncheon in New York
Lead fundraising strategy for two annual galas, including the New York event in the spring and the Los Angeles event in the fall, as well as the annual New York luncheon
Manage donor and sponsor relationships from initial outreach through fulfillment and ongoing stewardship
Team Leadership, Systems & Operations
Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of development professionals
Ensure strong fundraising systems, procedures, record keeping, database management, and fulfillment practices are in place
Monitor all donor information and prepare statistical analyses and reports for the President & CEO and executive team
Manage all logistics to ensure seamless execution of Development events
Stay current on fundraising trends and apply proven practices across the department
Attend all Paley programs, VIP receptions, and donor cultivation events
Engage as a Paley Ambassador by actively sharing Paley’s social media posts within personal and professional networks to amplify the organization’s reach and strengthen community engagement.
Support additional programs and projects assigned by the Paley executive team
CORE COMPETENCIES
Our successful employees meet the following criteria:
Highly organized, with a proven ability to meet deadlines and budgets.
Outstanding leadership and management skills, including the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
Ability to take ownership of all assigned tasks and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Outstanding verbal communication, superior business writing, and strong time management skills.
Positive and professional demeanor, with excellent interpersonal, administrative, and managerial skills.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks while maintaining close attention to detail.
Resourcefulness, creativity, and strong problem-solving and research skills.
QUALIFICATIONS
10+ years of experience raising at least $10 million in contributed income annually, including six- and seven-figure gifts
Deep knowledge of the New York and Los Angeles fundraising communities, with relationships among high-net-worth individuals, program officers, and corporate social responsibility executives
Knowledge of the media and communications industry, including its key organizations and leaders
A strong personal network and the ability to build, expand, and sustain donor relationships
Strategic command of prospect research, proposal development, and the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors

Employment type
Full Time (Exempt)

Work arrangement
No