Philanthropy Director, Strategic Relationships

Accountabilities:

• Establish annual fundraising goals and integrated short- and long-term strategies for securing significant multi-year gifts across multiple donor audiences.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of high-capacity prospects and funders through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention.
• Build a healthy and strategically prioritized pipeline of major funding opportunities.
• Develop tailored donor engagement strategies, proposals, concept notes, funding requests, and other materials that connect donor priorities with relevant programs and geographies.
• Coordinate shared management of donor relationships, ensuring consistent stewardship and smooth transitions as funder interests evolve across programs and regions.
• Develop deep knowledge of organizational programs, mission, impact, and operating model to confidently respond to donor questions and present relevant funding opportunities.
• Use donor insights to segment and prioritize partners, deepen relationships, expand funding opportunities, and increase long-term philanthropic engagement.
• Maintain ethical fundraising practices, professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality in all donor interactions.
• Partner with global business development, program, and resource mobilization teams to identify prospective funders, facilitate introductions, and shape engagement and funding strategies.
• Collaborate with country teams to operationalize tailored fundraising approaches and advance opportunities across different markets and geographies.
• Maintain accurate and timely CRM records covering donor engagement, correspondence, next steps, proposals, and pipeline activity.
• Leverage CRM data, pipeline reporting, and donor intelligence to monitor portfolio health, forecast revenue, identify risks, and surface opportunities.
• Contribute to strategic partnership initiatives that seek to unlock large, flexible, mission-aligned, and long-term funding.
• Influence donor-facing and organizational communications strategies to strengthen positioning with major individuals, organizations, and funder networks.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, communications, programs, and other stakeholders to develop compelling donor-facing opportunities.
• Share donor intelligence, coordinate strategies across teams, mentor colleagues, and support a globally connected fundraising culture.
• Participate in strategic initiatives, internal planning, and special projects that strengthen fundraising capabilities and overall organizational growth.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in major or large-gift fundraising, with a proven record of securing significant seven- and eight-figure gifts from diverse funders.
• At least 7 years of fundraising management and leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success working with funders in the international development sector.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward high-capacity funders and institutional partners through tailored, donor-centered engagement strategies.
• Strong track record of building relationships that translate into measurable fundraising results.
• Excellent proposal writing, donor communication, presentation, relationship management, and project management skills.
• Strong understanding of strategic fundraising, donor cultivation, portfolio management, and major gift development.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and disciplined recordkeeping, including the ability to use pipeline data and donor intelligence to guide decisions.
• Ability to independently manage a complex portfolio, establish priorities, and move opportunities forward in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and influence without direct authority within a highly matrixed and globally distributed organization.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail, energy, initiative, professionalism, and a collaborative approach.
• Demonstrated change management leadership skills and comfort navigating ambiguity, evolving priorities, and organizational complexity.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage individuals and groups diplomatically and effectively.
• Knowledge of international development and the nonprofit sector, including an understanding of the operating environment in which nonprofit organizations work.
• Ability to work effectively from a home office while maintaining frequent communication with global colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently both nationally and internationally.

Benefits:

• U.S. annual salary range of $145,000–$165,000, with placement based on experience and competency.
• Health and wellness benefits, including Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account options.
• Employee assistance program.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching and discretionary contributions.
• 22 vacation days per year.
• 12 statutory and discretionary holidays.
• 10 sick days per year.
• Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Annual merit increase opportunities.
• Optional critical illness insurance.
• Legal assistance plan.
• Pet protection benefits.
• Remote work opportunity for U.S.-based employees.
• Opportunity to manage high-value philanthropic relationships and contribute to major funding initiatives.
• Global exposure through collaboration with teams, partners, and stakeholders across multiple countries.
• Frequent opportunities to contribute to strategic fundraising initiatives and long-term organizational growth.