Chicago Public Media
Digital Fundraising Strategist
Chicago Public Media, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
About Chicago Public Media
Home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Public Media is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times serve more than 2 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to become the essential and most trusted news source that Chicago turns to each day for understanding the people, events, and ideas that shape our community.
WBEZ is home to local and national news programming as well as a growing portfolio of popular podcasts. WBEZ serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information, and its award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. WBEZ is supported by more than 86,000 members, hundreds of corporate sponsors and major donors. In 2022, WBEZ received more than 20 awards for its journalism, including two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago's oldest continuously published daily newspaper serving Chicago and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Chicago Sun-Times is the winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards. In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on a digital transformation to deliver its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on suntimes.com to expand access to its journalism, and shifted to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations.
Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. We connect diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region and the world. And, we employ 300+ staff who want to belong to an organization that inspires, supports, and challenges them to do their best work.
For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.
The Opportunity
Chicago Public Media's membership program is in search of a key role in its digital transformation - an innovative and experienced digital fundraising professional who can join our high-performing team and move a highly successful legacy public media fundraising institution into a dynamic and experimental digital future. The Digital Fundraising Strategist will work across the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ, specializing in enhancing the digital audience journey, fostering engagement and driving conversions across diverse digital platforms and products. They are responsible for planning, executing and reporting in the areas mentioned above - and will have accountability for goals related to revenue growth, new member acquisition and prospect conversion.
This role is varied in its responsibilities and will work alongside many CPM colleagues. Must be able to work with a diverse group of teams, have great interpersonal skills and should exemplify CPM's values.
We show up every day with passion and purpose.
We ask questions and listen with intent.
We have each other's backs.
We work hard. We have fun.
We are present in our community.
We leave proud every day.
ResponsibilitiesWork with the Director, Digital Membership in developing long term strategies to exponentially grow membership revenue on digital, email, social and podcast channels to meet or exceed CPM revenue goals.Support WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times digital fundraising activities across all campaigns, including creating and sending emails, managing and scheduling digital ads, paid and organic social.Oversee the planning and execution of digital fundraising and stewardship efforts includingEnhanced digital campaigns/remarketing via in-house ads, search, social, SMS, etc.Donation form testing and optimization, including custom ask stringsDigital Member BenefitsInnovation & Experimentation (Venmo, Tune-in, Alexa, FB Non-profit tools, new social platforms, etc.)Create strategies, experiments, and tests to convert CPM readers and podcast listeners into contributing donors.Work closely with content and marketing leaders to regularly identify giving opportunities around upcoming stories. Create timelines for fundraising implementations across CPM using unique and innovative A/B testing opportunities.Regularly review and evaluate tests to improve upon fundraising activities across digital, social, email and podcast to find both incremental and breakthrough improvements.Research and implement innovations in digital fundraising techniques and strategies.Manage and optimize digital campaigns for positive ROI and member acquisition.Using insight and analytics, monitor digital fundraising success, set KPIs, provide benchmarks and progress against goalsMaintain working knowledge of industry and technology trends and innovations. Incorporate new developments, as appropriateAssist with other membership initiatives as neededOther duties as assignedQualifications
7+ years of relevant experienceAbility to handle multiple responsibilities, establish priorities and consistently meet required deadlinesDemonstrated analytical skills.Experience building and executing complex multi-channel digital fundraising strategiesExperience with end-to-end digital campaign planningExperience project managing complex initiatives with high-level stakeholdersAbility to establish priorities and manage workload autonomouslyStrong communication skills, both written and oralExcellent attention to detail, problem solving and resource management skillsExcellent interpersonal, planning and organizational skillsFluency with html, customer relationship management systems (Salesforce or ROI), marketing automation tools (Salesforce Marketing Cloud/ExactTarget and/or Campaign Monitor a plus) and building emails in an email marketing systemExperience working in Piano Media a plusWorking at Chicago Public Media
At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact. Our culture is one where collaboration, ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, diverse experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.
Chicago Public Media's dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion is reflective across our brands, WBEZ 91.5 FM, Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo 91.1 FM, in our staff and in our work. We are fully focused on equality of opportunity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, experience, and all other fascinating characteristics that make us different.
At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for you at hire and in the years to come.
Our benefits include:
6 weeks fully paid family leaveHigh quality Medical, Dental, and Vision plans at an affordable costA 403(b)retirement plan with a company matchGenerous paid time off, including starting with 3 weeks' vacation and 4 personal days.
The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and may change periodically to meet the needs of Chicago Public Media (CPM). The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.
Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.
Home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Public Media is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times serve more than 2 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to become the essential and most trusted news source that Chicago turns to each day for understanding the people, events, and ideas that shape our community.
WBEZ is home to local and national news programming as well as a growing portfolio of popular podcasts. WBEZ serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information, and its award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. WBEZ is supported by more than 86,000 members, hundreds of corporate sponsors and major donors. In 2022, WBEZ received more than 20 awards for its journalism, including two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago's oldest continuously published daily newspaper serving Chicago and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Chicago Sun-Times is the winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards. In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on a digital transformation to deliver its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on suntimes.com to expand access to its journalism, and shifted to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations.
Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. We connect diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region and the world. And, we employ 300+ staff who want to belong to an organization that inspires, supports, and challenges them to do their best work.
For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.
The Opportunity
Chicago Public Media's membership program is in search of a key role in its digital transformation - an innovative and experienced digital fundraising professional who can join our high-performing team and move a highly successful legacy public media fundraising institution into a dynamic and experimental digital future. The Digital Fundraising Strategist will work across the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ, specializing in enhancing the digital audience journey, fostering engagement and driving conversions across diverse digital platforms and products. They are responsible for planning, executing and reporting in the areas mentioned above - and will have accountability for goals related to revenue growth, new member acquisition and prospect conversion.
This role is varied in its responsibilities and will work alongside many CPM colleagues. Must be able to work with a diverse group of teams, have great interpersonal skills and should exemplify CPM's values.
We show up every day with passion and purpose.
We ask questions and listen with intent.
We have each other's backs.
We work hard. We have fun.
We are present in our community.
We leave proud every day.
ResponsibilitiesWork with the Director, Digital Membership in developing long term strategies to exponentially grow membership revenue on digital, email, social and podcast channels to meet or exceed CPM revenue goals.Support WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times digital fundraising activities across all campaigns, including creating and sending emails, managing and scheduling digital ads, paid and organic social.Oversee the planning and execution of digital fundraising and stewardship efforts includingEnhanced digital campaigns/remarketing via in-house ads, search, social, SMS, etc.Donation form testing and optimization, including custom ask stringsDigital Member BenefitsInnovation & Experimentation (Venmo, Tune-in, Alexa, FB Non-profit tools, new social platforms, etc.)Create strategies, experiments, and tests to convert CPM readers and podcast listeners into contributing donors.Work closely with content and marketing leaders to regularly identify giving opportunities around upcoming stories. Create timelines for fundraising implementations across CPM using unique and innovative A/B testing opportunities.Regularly review and evaluate tests to improve upon fundraising activities across digital, social, email and podcast to find both incremental and breakthrough improvements.Research and implement innovations in digital fundraising techniques and strategies.Manage and optimize digital campaigns for positive ROI and member acquisition.Using insight and analytics, monitor digital fundraising success, set KPIs, provide benchmarks and progress against goalsMaintain working knowledge of industry and technology trends and innovations. Incorporate new developments, as appropriateAssist with other membership initiatives as neededOther duties as assignedQualifications
7+ years of relevant experienceAbility to handle multiple responsibilities, establish priorities and consistently meet required deadlinesDemonstrated analytical skills.Experience building and executing complex multi-channel digital fundraising strategiesExperience with end-to-end digital campaign planningExperience project managing complex initiatives with high-level stakeholdersAbility to establish priorities and manage workload autonomouslyStrong communication skills, both written and oralExcellent attention to detail, problem solving and resource management skillsExcellent interpersonal, planning and organizational skillsFluency with html, customer relationship management systems (Salesforce or ROI), marketing automation tools (Salesforce Marketing Cloud/ExactTarget and/or Campaign Monitor a plus) and building emails in an email marketing systemExperience working in Piano Media a plusWorking at Chicago Public Media
At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact. Our culture is one where collaboration, ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, diverse experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.
Chicago Public Media's dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion is reflective across our brands, WBEZ 91.5 FM, Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo 91.1 FM, in our staff and in our work. We are fully focused on equality of opportunity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, experience, and all other fascinating characteristics that make us different.
At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for you at hire and in the years to come.
Our benefits include:
6 weeks fully paid family leaveHigh quality Medical, Dental, and Vision plans at an affordable costA 403(b)retirement plan with a company matchGenerous paid time off, including starting with 3 weeks' vacation and 4 personal days.
The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and may change periodically to meet the needs of Chicago Public Media (CPM). The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.
Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.