Director of Development

This position is based in the United States and is fully remote with flexibility, including up to 30% travel opportunities.

About the role

The Director of Development will play a critical role in building and scaling a philanthropic strategy for a rapidly growing nonprofit organization focused on advancing energy affordability and policy modernization. This position will establish a comprehensive fundraising function from the ground up, creating the systems, relationships, and strategies needed for long-term organizational growth. Working closely with executive leadership, the role will focus on cultivating major donors, foundations, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with hands-on execution to secure significant philanthropic support and expand national impact. This is a unique opportunity to shape the financial foundation of an organization addressing major economic and consumer challenges. The role offers significant autonomy, visibility, and the ability to influence organizational strategy during an important stage of growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy focused on major gifts, family foundations, family offices, donor-advised funds, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Partner with executive leadership to align fundraising objectives with organizational priorities, budgets, and long-term growth plans.
• Build and maintain relationships with institutional funders and key philanthropic partners.
• Identify, research, and cultivate prospective donors through targeted outreach, relationship-building strategies, and engagement plans.
• Create and manage a strong donor pipeline by evaluating potential supporters based on capacity, interests, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Support executive leadership during donor meetings, fundraising discussions, and strategic partnership opportunities by preparing briefing materials and presentations.
• Translate organizational achievements, policy impact, and public visibility into compelling fundraising opportunities.
• Plan and execute donor-focused events, gatherings, conferences, and relationship-building activities.
• Manage stewardship strategies for existing supporters through regular communication, impact updates, personalized engagement, and renewal efforts.
• Lead direct fundraising conversations, including major gift requests and contribution discussions.
• Develop grant proposals, concept papers, presentations, budgets, reports, and donor communications in collaboration with leadership and internal teams.
• Oversee grant lifecycle management, including reporting requirements, renewals, and ongoing funder engagement.
• Build development infrastructure, including CRM systems, donor tracking processes, and scalable fundraising operations.
• Support future growth of the development team through onboarding, mentoring, and process development.

Requirements

• 8+ years of fundraising experience with a demonstrated history of securing six- and seven-figure gifts from foundations, family offices, donor-advised funds, or high-net-worth individuals.
• Strong network and relationship-building experience with major donors and philanthropic organizations.
• Experience managing significant donor portfolios and long-term stewardship strategies.
• Proven ability to make direct fundraising asks and successfully close major gifts.
• Strong skills in donor cultivation, relationship management, and philanthropic strategy development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience creating compelling proposals, presentations, and fundraising materials.
• Ability to connect organizational programs and impact areas with donor motivations and priorities.
• Strong emotional intelligence and ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience developing fundraising systems, CRM processes, and operational infrastructure.
• Ability to thrive in an early-stage, fast-moving environment with changing priorities and high levels of ownership.
• Strong strategic mindset with the ability to work independently while collaborating closely with executive leadership.
• Passion for advancing initiatives focused on consumer impact, policy, affordability, and meaningful social outcomes.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $150,000 - $225,000 depending on experience, qualifications, skills, and location.
• Fully remote position with flexibility and up to 30% travel opportunities.
• Unlimited paid time off and paid holidays.
• Health insurance coverage.
• 401(k) employer match program.
• Sick leave benefits.
• Health and wellness support programs.
• Opportunity to build and lead a major fundraising function from the ground up.
• High-impact role with direct exposure to executive leadership and national-level initiatives.
• Ability to shape the growth trajectory of a mission-driven organization.