Department Overview

FRONTLINE, U.S. television’s longest running investigative documentary series, explores the issues of our times through powerful storytelling. Since its premiere in 1983, the series has won every major journalism and broadcasting award, including 89 Emmy Awards and 20 Peabody Awards. Today, pbs.org/frontline remains one of PBS's most popular general-audience sites with over 200 full-length documentaries available free to stream anywhere, anytime.

FRONTLINE stands alone in providing the breadth and depth of coverage needed to understand our world.  Our long-form documentaries and approaches to innovative storytelling have bolstered the series’ reputation for fairness, accuracy, credibility and transparency.

Job Overview

FRONTLINE, one of the nation's most respected investigative documentary units, is seeking a Development Producer to leverage the outreach and event activities of the series to cultivate and engage prospective individual philanthropists throughout the US.  Working closely with the Executive Producer, the Managing Director, and in consultation with WGBH’s Major Gifts team and the Outreach Engagement Producer, the Development Producer will conceive of opportunities for the Executive Producer to engage with prospective donors at conferences, film festivals, hosted events, academic and industry gatherings, etc.  

We are seeking innovative candidates who can work collaboratively to strategically engage the Executive Producer in a variety of live events, screenings and conferences, offering direction and information to speech writers working on addresses by the Executive Producer.  This position will also develop cooperative fundraising events with PBS member stations, in concert with the Major Gifts team.

As necessary, the position will compile and vet background information on prospective donors and provide photos and quote graphics at events for social media posts.

The ideal candidate must be organized, detail-oriented, intuitive, and a creative thinker and problem solver who can collaborate effectively with a wide variety of people and organizations. Excellent written and oral skills a must. Strong initiative and ability to work independently to meet strict deadlines and achieve goals under pressure. This position will interact with prospective donors, and suited candidates will project a passion and inspiration for FRONTLINE’s work and its role with broadcast journalism, a sophisticated yet friendly manner, and an interested knowledge about the series’ journalism.  We are especially interested in applicants who are both versed in and inspired by documentary filmmaking and the role of independent media today.

FRONTLINE is committed to presenting more diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences through our content. To foster a work environment that values inclusiveness and reflects the broad perspectives of the American public, we welcome applicants from all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Essential Functions

Please provide a percentage weighting for the Essential Functions out of 100%

30%

Create strategic opportunities for FRONTLINE’s Executive Producer to engage with prospective donors at professional conferences, film festivals, hosted events, and industry gatherings.

30%

Conceive and develop cooperative development events with PBS member stations.

20%

Explore speaking engagement opportunities for Executive Producer at high-profile professional and industry events, work collaboratively with freelance speech writer on Executive Producer’s speeches and provide quote graphics from events for social media posts.

20%

Compile and vet background information on prospective donors. Provide written summaries and narratives as requested for funding proposal and reports, institutional memos, newsletter items, etc.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, PR or related filed preferred.

Experience

5+ years experience in a communications or development/fundraising position, either within an organization or an agency. Solid experience developing and executing creative campaigns and live events with successful outcomes.