The Star Tribune is the Upper Midwest’s largest news organization, with audience numbers consistently in the top five in the country amongâ¯regional and national peers. Building on an extraordinary legacy that includes seven Pulitzer Prizes and hundreds of other awards, the Star Tribune is an unrivaled force for journalistic excellence in Minnesota. It is also a company under transformation – realigning its core purpose for a new age of media consumption through innovative new partnerships, technology strategies, and a refreshed strategic direction. Our company has a new vision to create the leading model for local news in America – driving innovation in media to make every Minnesotan’s life better.â¯â¯We’re lookingâ¯for dynamic leaders to help create that model.â¯We’reâ¯excited to work with people who care about journalism and democracy and are eager to reinvent one of our state’s most trusted companies for a completely new era of growth that embracesâ¯new technologiesâ¯andâ¯strategies for excellence.â¯

Job summary:

The Star Tribune is seeking an experienced leader to help us further our public service mission through philanthropic partnerships. Local news organizations are increasingly turning to philanthropy to support their journalism, as well as initiatives centered on education, media literacy, community engagement and innovation. In this role, you will work with the company’s senior leadership team, as well as our newsroom, to secure philanthropic support for some of our most important work. This is a new effort for us, and you will have a unique opportunity to help shape our strategy from the outset. We believe philanthropic partnership is a tool that can help align our strengths as Minnesota’s largest media organization more directly with the needs of the communities we serve. As head of this initiative, you will help us pioneer a strategy that positions the Star Tribune as a fixture in the philanthropic community and an industry leader in the space.

Key results/responsibilities:

Work with leaders around the company to define and execute a comprehensive philanthropic strategy that includes local and national foundations as well as individual giving.
Build and maintain a network of relationships with key philanthropic partners, both in our community and across the country.
Build and manage a grants program, including work related to grant writing and reports, proposal development and submission, relationship-building, and the submission of proposals to foundations and other grant-makers. â¯
Collaborate with company departments, including the newsroom, to identify coverage areas and initiatives we can strengthen through philanthropy.
Provide for ongoing promotion of planned giving opportunities, connecting with or planning special events to support fundraising initiatives.
Set clear goals around our philanthropic efforts and build systems to track progress toward those goals.
Partner with our Chief Financial Officer and outside fiscal sponsor to ensure grant funding is properly administered and accounted for.
Stay ahead of trends and best practices at the intersection of philanthropy and news.

Relationships:

Immediate Supervisor: Executive Vice President/Chief Revenue Officer

Next Level Supervisor: CEO/Publisher

Direct Reports: None

Qualifications:

Proven success in cultivating a network of donors and raising funds to support mission-driven work.
Established relationships in the regional and national philanthropic community.
Demonstrated skills writing compelling grants and proposals — and seeing them through until resolution.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Exceptional collaboration skills and the ability to maintain strong cross-functional partnerships to foster a team environment.
Specific experience with philanthropy in the news industry is a plus.

More about the Star Tribune:

At the Star Tribune, we believe that our employees are our most valuable asset. We go above and beyond to ensure their happiness, growth, and overall well-being. Here is a glimpse into the exceptional benefits we offer:

Modern downtown office with a free fitness center and rooftop patio. Commuting subsidy, medical, dental, and vision insurance. Wellness program with financial incentives. Paid time off which includes flexible holidays to honor the preferences of employees, plus one volunteer day and 2 wellness days. 401(k) with company match, parental and caregiving leaves, flexible work arrangements, employee assistance program, pet insurance, tuition reimbursement, flexible spending, and health savings accounts.

The Star Tribune also gives back to the Minnesota community. In 2020, the Star Tribune launched the Connect Grant, providing qualifying local Minnesota businesses with a total of $200,000 in advertising credits and services. The Connect Grant serves to empower the future growth of underrepresented business owners through marketing collaboration and advertising.

Selected in 2023 to Diversity MBA's inaugural list of Top 25 Outstanding Leadership and Diversity Impact Awards.

Equal Opportunity Employer: If you're interested in this role but don't meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. The Star Tribune is dedicated to fostering a more diverse and inclusive workplace, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

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Head of Philanthropic Partnerships