Help build one of the country’s most ambitious nonprofit news organizations.

Mountain State Spotlight is entering its next chapter.

Over the last six years, we’ve built one of the nation’s leading nonprofit news organizations by producing fearless accountability journalism that serves West Virginians and holds powerful institutions accountable.

Now we’re ready to grow.

Our strategic plan calls for expanding from a $1.2 million organization to a $2 million newsroom so we can hire more journalists, produce more investigative reporting, and serve more communities across West Virginia.

To achieve that goal, we need to build a fundraising institution that is every bit as ambitious as our journalism.

We’re looking for our first Managing Director of Development to help us do exactly that.

The opportunity

Reporting directly to the Founding Editor-in-Chief and President, you’ll become Mountain State Spotlight’s senior fundraising leader and strategic partner.

This is not a traditional development position.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys building organizations as much as raising money—someone who wants to create the systems, relationships, and team that will power one of America’s most ambitious nonprofit newsrooms for the next decade.

You’ll help transform founder-led fundraising into a durable, high-performing development operation while working side-by-side with one of the country’s most respected investigative journalists.

If you’re excited by building something that matters — not because it is easy, but because it matters — we’d love to talk with you.

What you’ll do

Build our fundraising institution.

Lead Mountain State Spotlight’s fundraising strategy and operations, including major philanthropy, institutional giving, grants, stewardship, prospect management, CRM, and fundraising systems.

Create the processes, discipline, and organizational capacity required to support a significantly larger newsroom.

Partner with the founder.

Work closely with Founding Editor-in-Chief and President Ken Ward Jr. to develop fundraising strategy, prepare for major donor conversations, and maximize the impact of his relationships with transformational supporters.

Help ensure our Founding Editor spends his fundraising time where he creates the greatest value: articulating Mountain State Spotlight’s vision, cultivating relationships, and closing major gifts.

Build and lead our development team.

Supervise and mentor our development staff while creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and shared ownership.

Help build a fundraising operation that is bigger than any one individual.

Engage our supporters.

Strengthen relationships with national journalism funders while expanding support from major donors, foundations, and West Virginians who believe independent journalism is essential to accountability and democracy.

Work closely with our Board of Directors to help members become active partners in opening doors, making introductions, and advancing Mountain State Spotlight’s mission.

Who we’re looking for

The strongest candidate will likely be someone who:

  • Has helped build a fundraising operation rather than simply maintain one.
  • Understands both major philanthropy and institutional fundraising.
  • Enjoys creating systems as much as cultivating relationships.
  • Thinks strategically while also executing exceptionally well.
  • Enjoys working closely with founders and entrepreneurial leaders.
  • Has successfully coached and developed other fundraising professionals.
  • Believes deeply in the importance of independent journalism and public service.

You may already be leading a fundraising program.

Or you may be the person just below the chief fundraising executive who’s ready for your first opportunity to lead an entire fundraising function.

If that’s you, we’d like to talk.

Why Mountain State Spotlight?

This is an opportunity to:

  • Help build one of the country’s most ambitious nonprofit news organizations.
  • Shape the future of an emerging field.
  • Work directly with one of America’s most respected investigative journalists.
  • Build the fundraising institution behind a growing newsroom.
  • Expand accountability journalism in a state where independent reporting can have extraordinary impact.

For some candidates, the opportunity to reconnect with West Virginia or Appalachia may be an additional source of inspiration.

Compensation and benefits

Salary: $75,000–$100,000, depending on experience and qualifications, plus a competitive benefits package.

Mountain State Spotlight is committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourages candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Application process:  Submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your vision for this position and explaining why you are the right person for the role to jobs@mountainstatespotlight.org.

Interested or know someone who might be? Contact Founding Editor-in-Chief Ken Ward Jr. for a confidential conversation.