📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director of Underwriting Partnerships
🔹 Company: Courier Newsroom, Inc.
🔹 Location: Remote, New York
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Nonprofit, Media
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-18
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving revenue growth through strategic underwriting partnerships
- Managing the full lifecycle of underwriting relationships
- Expanding underwriting products across the network
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to maximize underwriting impact
- Working with mission-aligned organizations and foundations
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong leader with a proven track record in underwriting, sponsorship sales, or nonprofit development. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, as well as a deep understanding of impact-driven funding models.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and implement a comprehensive underwriting partnership strategy to achieve annual revenue and partnership goals
✅ Identify new underwriting opportunities and develop compelling pitches and products to secure funding
✅ Build and maintain trusted relationships with foundation and nonprofit partners
✅ Act as the primary point of contact for high-value underwriting partners, ensuring ongoing engagement and retention
✅ Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to maximize the impact of underwriting
✅ Develop and implement systems to track underwriting agreements, deliverables, and performance metrics
✅ Ensure all funding agreements comply with reporting requirements and deadlines for grants and sponsorships
✅ Provide regular reports on underwriting revenue performance and impact to the executive team
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Communications, Journalism)
Experience: 6+ years of experience in underwriting, sponsorship sales, nonprofit development, or a related field
Required Skills:
- Proven success in securing and growing major underwriting or sponsorship deals
- Strong leadership experience, managing teams and driving revenue-focused strategies
- Expertise in tracking, reporting, and managing grants or sponsorship agreements
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
- A deep understanding of the media and political landscape and impact-driven funding models
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with nonprofits or media organizations
- Familiarity with grant management software or tools
- Knowledge of the local news landscape and trends
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in underwriting, sponsorship sales, or nonprofit development are strongly encouraged to apply. Previous experience working with mission-aligned organizations or foundations is a plus.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $125,000 - $145,000 per year
Benefits:
- Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO), 11 paid holidays a year
- Full suite of health benefits
- Flexible working arrangements
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in nonprofit media organizations. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Nonprofit, Media
Company Size: 51-200 employees
Founded: 2019
Company Description:
- Empowers individuals and communities through local reporting
- Invests in local journalism and storytelling that is thoughtful, informative, and relevant
- Believes in the key to a strong democracy is an informed electorate
Company Specialties:
- Local news
- Investigative journalism
- Community engagement
Company Website: couriernewsroom.com
ASSUMPTION: Courier Newsroom is a mission-driven organization focused on empowering communities through local reporting. They value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior leadership role
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the SVP of Development and works closely with the CEO and COO
Work Arrangement: Remote OK, with the option for flexible working arrangements
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow the underwriting team and expand the company's impact
- Opportunities to collaborate with cross-functional teams and contribute to strategic decision-making
- Potential to advance within the organization as it grows
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a meaningful impact on the company's mission and revenue growth.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote-first, with the option for on-site work in New York
Office Location(s): New York, NY
Geographic Context:
- New York is a major media hub with a diverse range of nonprofit and mission-aligned organizations
- The cost of living in New York is high, but the city offers numerous cultural and professional opportunities
- Courier Newsroom's remote-first policy allows for greater flexibility and work-life balance
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible hours and unlimited PTO
ASSUMPTION: The remote-first policy at Courier Newsroom allows for greater flexibility and work-life balance, while still providing opportunities for in-person collaboration and networking in New York.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth interview with the SVP of Development and other team members
- Final interview with the CEO
Key Assessment Areas:
- Understanding of the media landscape and impact-driven funding models
- Proven track record in underwriting, sponsorship sales, or nonprofit development
- Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Alignment with Courier Newsroom's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and achievements in underwriting, sponsorship sales, or nonprofit development
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your fit for the role and alignment with Courier Newsroom's mission
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your skills and experience
- Research Courier Newsroom's mission, values, and impact-driven approach to journalism
ATS Keywords: Underwriting, sponsorship sales, nonprofit development, revenue growth, partnership development, impact-driven journalism, mission-aligned organizations, grant management, reporting, leadership, communication, negotiation, relationship-building
ASSUMPTION: Courier Newsroom uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications. Including relevant keywords in your resume and cover letter can help your application stand out and increase your chances of being selected for an interview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Grant management software (e.g., Foundant, Fluxx, or similar)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or similar)
- Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau, or similar)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on Courier Newsroom's internal systems and processes. Familiarity with relevant software and platforms is a plus.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Empowering communities through local reporting
- Investigative journalism and accountability
- Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Work Style:
- Remote-first and flexible working arrangements
- Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement
- Mission-focused and impact-driven approach
- Strong emphasis on communication, collaboration, and transparency
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a deep understanding of the media landscape and impact-driven funding models?
- Are you comfortable working remotely and managing your time effectively?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment?
- Are you able to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously?
ASSUMPTION: Courier Newsroom values candidates who are mission-driven, collaborative, and adaptable. They seek individuals who are passionate about their work and committed to their organization's mission.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple underwriting relationships and ensuring partner satisfaction
- Meeting annual revenue and partnership goals in a competitive landscape
- Balancing the demands of underwriting with other responsibilities, such as grant management and reporting
- Adapting to the dynamic nature of the media and nonprofit landscapes
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth. Successful candidates will be able to manage multiple priorities, adapt to change, and thrive in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Director of Development or Director of Partnerships in a nonprofit or media organization
- However, the focus on underwriting and impact-driven journalism sets it apart from more traditional fundraising or sponsorship roles
- Career path comparison: This role offers opportunities for growth and advancement within Courier Newsroom and the broader nonprofit media sector
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other development or partnership roles, its focus on underwriting and impact-driven journalism makes it unique. Candidates with experience in related fields should consider how their skills and background align with Courier Newsroom's mission and approach.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive underwriting partnership strategy for a new initiative
- Securing a major underwriting deal with a mission-aligned foundation to support a long-term impact project
- Managing a portfolio of underwriting relationships, ensuring partner satisfaction and retention
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, relationship-building, and management aspects of the Director of Underwriting Partnerships role. Successful candidates will have experience in similar projects and be able to demonstrate their ability to drive revenue growth and impact.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Courier Newsroom measure the impact of its underwriting partnerships, and how can I contribute to this process?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Courier Newsroom support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the most rewarding aspects of working at Courier Newsroom, according to current employees?
- How does Courier Newsroom balance the demands of underwriting with other responsibilities, such as grant management and reporting?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to Courier Newsroom's mission. These questions can also help you better understand the organization's culture, priorities, and expectations.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link: https://couriernewsroom.bamboohr.com/careers/238
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your skills and experience
- Research Courier Newsroom's mission, values, and impact-driven approach to journalism
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
