New Jersey Hills Media Group
Development Manager - Local News Nonprofit
New Jersey Hills Media Group, Hanover, New Jersey, United States
Development Manager – Local News Nonprofit
Corporation for New Jersey Local Media / New Jersey Hills Media Group
Location:
Whippany, NJ (On-site)
Type:
Full Time
About Us:
The Corporation for New Jersey Local Media is a nonprofit organization that owns New Jersey Hills Media Group and the West Essex Tribune, publishers of local news websites, email newsletters and weekly printed newspapers serving 51 communities across Essex, Hunterdon, Morris and Somerset counties. Our mission is to engage and inform the towns we serve with locally-driven, fact-based reporting that inspires civic participation and strengthens the fabric of our communities. As we transform professional local news for the digital age, we're building a sustainable model that combines traditional reporting excellence with innovative membership and donor support. We're launching new digital-first initiatives in 2026 while maintaining our commitment to the core communities we've served for decades.
Position Overview The Development Manager is a critical member of our growing fundraising operation, responsible for identifying prospective new donors and building and managing relationships with those and previous donors who believe in the importance of our mission. This new position will play an essential role in strengthening donor revenue streams to support independent, community-building news coverage.
Reporting to the CEO and Publisher, the Development Manager will identify prospective donors, cultivate meaningful relationships, execute strategic solicitations, steward supporters through personalized engagement, lead all fundraising events, and launch and manage our audience membership program. This role requires someone who can translate our mission into compelling donor conversations and repeat contributions and who is excited to grow an emerging nonprofit toward sustainability.
Key Responsibilities Donor Cultivation & Stewardship
Manage a growing portfolio of individual donors and prospects, developing personalized engagement strategies to deepen relationships and increase giving
Create and strengthen connections through meetings, phone calls, community events, and tailored communications demonstrating the community-building impact of our efforts
Establish stewardship practices including timely acknowledgments, impact reporting, and recognition opportunities showing donors how their support makes a difference
Events and Community Engagement
Lead all aspects of fundraising event planning and execution from concept to completion, including annual fundraising dinners, donor cultivation gatherings, and mission-focused community experiences
Develop event strategies, budgets, timelines, vendor relationships, and logistics for multiple events annually
Create compelling event programming that showcases our journalism, introduces donors to our newsroom, and demonstrates community impact
Manage event promotion, registration, donor recognition elements, and post-event follow-up and reporting
Serve as a visible ambassador for the organization at community events, government meetings, and civic gatherings
Develop creative touchpoints that connect donors to our news and business partnership teams and the communities we serve
Membership Program Development and Management
Design, launch, and manage an audience membership program that converts readers and community members into financial supporters of our mission
Develop membership tiers, benefits, messaging, and value propositions that resonate with our communities
Create and implement membership acquisition, retention, and upgrade strategies across digital and print platforms
Collaborate with editorial and marketing teams to integrate membership appeals into content distribution and audience engagement
Track membership metrics, analyze conversion data, and optimize the program for sustainable growth
Build systems for membership onboarding, communications, renewal cycles, and benefit fulfillment
Fundraising and Solicitation
Research and identify new prospective donors within our coverage communities who share our commitment to local news
Develop and execute individualized solicitation strategies, including direct asks, proposals, and creative engagement opportunities
Partner with the CEO and Publisher, Board members, the organization leadership team and community partners to maximize donor connections and opportunities
Collaboration and Systems
Work closely with editorial, operations, and Board leadership to align donor communications and recognition strategies
Establish and maintain accurate donor records and tracking systems (donor relationship management platform implementation and maintenance experience valued)
Track progress toward achieving donor and audience revenue goals, and provide regular reports on donor engagement and fundraising outcomes
Build development infrastructure and best practices as we grow this function
Requirements Essential Qualifications
4+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including direct management of donor relationships
Proven experience planning and executing fundraising events from conception through completion
Proven success in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual gifts
Experience launching or managing membership or sustainer programs strongly preferred
Experience in journalism, civic organizations, or mission-driven organizations
Deep passion for and understanding of local journalism's role in democratic society
Skills and Attributes
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills with ability to connect with diverse community members, business leaders, civic officials, and individual supporters
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with ability to craft compelling narratives about journalism's community impact
Event management expertise including budgeting, vendor management, and logistics coordination
Understanding of membership models and recurring giving strategies
Analytical skills to track program metrics and optimize performance
Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to build new development systems and processes
Resourceful, creative problem-solver with fresh approaches to donor engagement
Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects and relationships simultaneously
Comfortable with ambiguity and energized by building something new
Proficiency with donor databases and donor relationship management platforms (experience launching such platforms is a plus)
Ability to collaborate and pitch in across departments in a small organization
Discretion and professionalism in handling confidential donor information
Personal Characteristics
Genuine passion for professional local news and its role in community life
Self-starter who thrives with independence while collaborating effectively What We Offer
Opportunity to grow and shape a fledgling development program from its foundation
Close collaboration with leadership and direct impact on organizational sustainability
Connection to meaningful work that strengthens communities through journalism
Engagement with diverse communities across four New Jersey counties
Professional development in the evolving nonprofit journalism sector
Comprehensive benefits including: Health insurance, Dental insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, Five sick days, 10 vacation days, Company holidays, Two floating holidays
To Apply Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to CEO and Publisher Joe Territo at jterrito@newjerseyhills.com. In your cover letter, please describe your connection to local journalism or community-based organizations and share an example of a successful donor relationship you've built.
Applications Accepted Beginning:
Monday, January 5, 2026
Ideal Start Date:
Within two weeks of accepting offer
Salary:
$75,000 per year
The Corporation for New Jersey Local Media is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Location:
Whippany, NJ (On-site)
Type:
Full Time
About Us:
The Corporation for New Jersey Local Media is a nonprofit organization that owns New Jersey Hills Media Group and the West Essex Tribune, publishers of local news websites, email newsletters and weekly printed newspapers serving 51 communities across Essex, Hunterdon, Morris and Somerset counties. Our mission is to engage and inform the towns we serve with locally-driven, fact-based reporting that inspires civic participation and strengthens the fabric of our communities. As we transform professional local news for the digital age, we're building a sustainable model that combines traditional reporting excellence with innovative membership and donor support. We're launching new digital-first initiatives in 2026 while maintaining our commitment to the core communities we've served for decades.
Position Overview The Development Manager is a critical member of our growing fundraising operation, responsible for identifying prospective new donors and building and managing relationships with those and previous donors who believe in the importance of our mission. This new position will play an essential role in strengthening donor revenue streams to support independent, community-building news coverage.
Reporting to the CEO and Publisher, the Development Manager will identify prospective donors, cultivate meaningful relationships, execute strategic solicitations, steward supporters through personalized engagement, lead all fundraising events, and launch and manage our audience membership program. This role requires someone who can translate our mission into compelling donor conversations and repeat contributions and who is excited to grow an emerging nonprofit toward sustainability.
Key Responsibilities Donor Cultivation & Stewardship
Manage a growing portfolio of individual donors and prospects, developing personalized engagement strategies to deepen relationships and increase giving
Create and strengthen connections through meetings, phone calls, community events, and tailored communications demonstrating the community-building impact of our efforts
Establish stewardship practices including timely acknowledgments, impact reporting, and recognition opportunities showing donors how their support makes a difference
Events and Community Engagement
Lead all aspects of fundraising event planning and execution from concept to completion, including annual fundraising dinners, donor cultivation gatherings, and mission-focused community experiences
Develop event strategies, budgets, timelines, vendor relationships, and logistics for multiple events annually
Create compelling event programming that showcases our journalism, introduces donors to our newsroom, and demonstrates community impact
Manage event promotion, registration, donor recognition elements, and post-event follow-up and reporting
Serve as a visible ambassador for the organization at community events, government meetings, and civic gatherings
Develop creative touchpoints that connect donors to our news and business partnership teams and the communities we serve
Membership Program Development and Management
Design, launch, and manage an audience membership program that converts readers and community members into financial supporters of our mission
Develop membership tiers, benefits, messaging, and value propositions that resonate with our communities
Create and implement membership acquisition, retention, and upgrade strategies across digital and print platforms
Collaborate with editorial and marketing teams to integrate membership appeals into content distribution and audience engagement
Track membership metrics, analyze conversion data, and optimize the program for sustainable growth
Build systems for membership onboarding, communications, renewal cycles, and benefit fulfillment
Fundraising and Solicitation
Research and identify new prospective donors within our coverage communities who share our commitment to local news
Develop and execute individualized solicitation strategies, including direct asks, proposals, and creative engagement opportunities
Partner with the CEO and Publisher, Board members, the organization leadership team and community partners to maximize donor connections and opportunities
Collaboration and Systems
Work closely with editorial, operations, and Board leadership to align donor communications and recognition strategies
Establish and maintain accurate donor records and tracking systems (donor relationship management platform implementation and maintenance experience valued)
Track progress toward achieving donor and audience revenue goals, and provide regular reports on donor engagement and fundraising outcomes
Build development infrastructure and best practices as we grow this function
Requirements Essential Qualifications
4+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including direct management of donor relationships
Proven experience planning and executing fundraising events from conception through completion
Proven success in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual gifts
Experience launching or managing membership or sustainer programs strongly preferred
Experience in journalism, civic organizations, or mission-driven organizations
Deep passion for and understanding of local journalism's role in democratic society
Skills and Attributes
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills with ability to connect with diverse community members, business leaders, civic officials, and individual supporters
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with ability to craft compelling narratives about journalism's community impact
Event management expertise including budgeting, vendor management, and logistics coordination
Understanding of membership models and recurring giving strategies
Analytical skills to track program metrics and optimize performance
Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to build new development systems and processes
Resourceful, creative problem-solver with fresh approaches to donor engagement
Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects and relationships simultaneously
Comfortable with ambiguity and energized by building something new
Proficiency with donor databases and donor relationship management platforms (experience launching such platforms is a plus)
Ability to collaborate and pitch in across departments in a small organization
Discretion and professionalism in handling confidential donor information
Personal Characteristics
Genuine passion for professional local news and its role in community life
Self-starter who thrives with independence while collaborating effectively What We Offer
Opportunity to grow and shape a fledgling development program from its foundation
Close collaboration with leadership and direct impact on organizational sustainability
Connection to meaningful work that strengthens communities through journalism
Engagement with diverse communities across four New Jersey counties
Professional development in the evolving nonprofit journalism sector
Comprehensive benefits including: Health insurance, Dental insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, Five sick days, 10 vacation days, Company holidays, Two floating holidays
To Apply Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to CEO and Publisher Joe Territo at jterrito@newjerseyhills.com. In your cover letter, please describe your connection to local journalism or community-based organizations and share an example of a successful donor relationship you've built.
Applications Accepted Beginning:
Monday, January 5, 2026
Ideal Start Date:
Within two weeks of accepting offer
Salary:
$75,000 per year
The Corporation for New Jersey Local Media is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve.
#J-18808-Ljbffr