Executive Director, Principal Giving

OVERVIEW A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide. Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR. Application Deadline 1159 pm EST June 15, 2026 Intro to Position NPR seeks a strategic and entrepreneurial Executive Director of Principal Giving to lead and expand the organization’s principal gifts program. This role will focus on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making transformational commitments of $5 million and above. Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Development, the Executive Director will play a central role in building a robust pipeline of principal gift prospects and guiding strategies that align donor passion with NPR’s mission to create a more informed public. The role requires exceptional relationship management skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to partner closely with senior leadership, newsroom leaders, and the NPR Board. The Executive Director will personally manage a portfolio of the organization’s significant philanthropic relationships while building systems and strategies that deepen the pipeline for future transformational giving. Responsibilities Principal Gift Strategy Lead strategy for NPR’s principal giving program, focusing on gifts of $1M+. Work with the Senior Vice President for Development to define fundraising priorities and build compelling philanthropic opportunities aligned with NPR’s journalism, cultural programming, and civic mission. Partner with executive leadership to develop bold philanthropic initiatives capable of attracting transformational investment. Pipeline Development Build and maintain a robust pipeline of principal gift prospects, identifying individuals capable of seven- to nine-figure commitments. Conduct high-level prospect research and strategy development to uncover new principal-level prospects across media, technology, philanthropy, arts, and civic leadership networks. Develop long-term cultivation strategies designed to move prospects from discovery to transformational commitment. Collaborate with major gifts, foundation relations, and digital philanthropy teams to identify donors who may evolve into principal gift prospects. Donor Relationship Management Manage a portfolio of 40-50 principal gift prospects and donors. Design and execute customized cultivation and solicitation strategies that involve senior leadership, board members, and editorial leaders when appropriate. Personally solicit and close principal gifts in partnership with the Senior Vice President and CEO. Cross-Institutional Leadership Serve as a trusted partner to NPR’s development leadership, helping translate the organization’s strategic vision into compelling philanthropic opportunities. Work closely with newsroom, programming, and music leaders to develop projects that inspire major philanthropic investment. Coordinate with development colleagues to ensure consistent donor strategy and stewardship. Stewardship and Long-Term Engagement Ensure exceptional stewardship of principal donors through high-touch engagement, impact reporting, and meaningful involvement in NPR’s work. Develop long-term engagement strategies that position donors as sustained partners in NPR’s mission. Management This role has one direct report – a manager who will help the Executive Director to schedule meetings, collect deliverables, gather information for reporting, and maintain documentation. The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time. Qualifications Minimum 10–12 years of fundraising experience, including significant experience securing major and principal gifts. Demonstrated success soliciting and closing gifts of $1M+, with experience pursuing gifts of $5M+ strongly preferred. Proven ability to cultivate relationships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic leaders. Strategic thinker with the ability to translate organizational priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities. Strong collaboration skills and comfort working with senior executives and board members. Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities. Preferred Qualifications Experience fundraising for journalism, cultural institutions, higher education, or mission-driven national organizations. Familiarity with complex institutions that operate across multiple locations or constituencies. Demonstrated success building or expanding a principal gifts pipeline. Education Requirements Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience. Work Location & Requirements NPR Remote-Permitted This is a remote-permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington, D.C. office, but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves. You will have the option of working (a) remotely from a location of your choosing within the United States that is supported by NPR; (b) on-site at an NPR facility, based on the availability of desks and approval from NPR; or (c) a combination of both. Regardless of where you choose to work from, you may be expected to travel to other locations from time to time to perform the duties of your position. Job Type This is a full-time, exempt position. Compensation Salary Range The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $ 165,600-184,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations. NPR Benefits NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees. Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you. #LI-REMOTE The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations. NPR Pay Range $165,600—$184,000 USD NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law. If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org. You may read NPR’s privacy policy to learn about how NPR may handle information you submit with any application. Want more NPR? Explore the stories behind the stories on our NPR Extra blog. Get social with NPR Extra on Facebook and Instagram. Find more career opportunities at NPR.org/careers. Apply To This Job