Development Director (NY, SF or London)

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a strategic and experienced development leader to evolve our fundraising strategy, and lead our global Fundraising team who are responsible for funding from individual philanthropists, foundations and corporate donors to cover our annual operating costs. You will develop and execute our multi-year fundraising strategy, manage our fundraising team, and secure financial support from individuals, corporations and foundations, personally building a portfolio of donors in the United States.

Reporting to our Managing Director (based in San Francisco), you will manage our Major Gifts Manager and Fundraising Operations Associate (both based in London), and work closely with our CEO, leadership team, and board to grow and diversify our revenue and report progress against goals. You will build upon our success sustainably growing our income (which has increased by 59% since 2018) and develop fundraising strategies to support our five year plan, leveraging new opportunities to further integrate fundraising into our events, products and services. Under your leadership, Founders Pledge will become a sustainable organization by 2025 with a diverse funding base, including renewing annual income from Founders Pledge members, and external support from individual donors, foundations and corporations. You will also play a critical role in building relationships with US philanthropists and strategic partners.

This role is ideal for an experienced development professional with a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude who is comfortable in a fast-paced environment and operates well at speed - you will be part of a fundraising vertical within a start-up environment, so your flexibility and eagerness to build and iterate upon our fundraising strategy as we evolve into a scaling organization will see you thrive in this role. You will build on your experience in supporting front-line fundraisers while delivering impressive, renewable growth in support of Founders Pledge’s five-year plan.

We are open to applications from candidates working in San Francisco, New York and London. 

Reporting to our Managing Director, you will:

Set and deliver against our multi-year fundraising strategy

• Champion translating our five-year organizational strategy into strategies for revenue generation, including further incorporating fundraising messaging into various stages of a Founders Pledge members’ journey and developing upon the messaging of our value proposition for external funders
• Work with our leadership team to set annual fundraising targets, and regularly report progress against targets and KPIs

Lead and manage our fundraising team and leadership to deliver against the fundraising strategy

• Remotely lead our Major Gifts Manager and Fundraising Operations Associate, making sure that they have everything they need to thrive in the role, providing coaching and support alongside strategic direction
• Support our Managing Director and CEO to effectively fundraise from strategic partners and individuals, in line with our fundraising strategy

Develop and deliver against a portfolio of donors and potential donors

• Serve as an ambassador for the work that Founders Pledge does with individuals, corporations and foundations in the United States, securing new funding and stewarding existing relationships
• Oversee the development and active progression of our global donor pipeline
• Build and maintain trusted and meaningful relationships with donors, partners, and colleagues
• Keep internal stakeholders updated and engaged in activities, including your colleagues on our leadership team, the CEO, Managing Director and COO
• Prepare proposals and reporting to support solicitations and stewardship

ABOUT YOU

This role is perfect for someone who has:

• Experience as a fundraising leader, overseeing team members responsible for fundraising across revenue streams
• A proven record of meeting and exceeding fundraising goals
• Expertise in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship best practices for HNWIs, ideally with familiarity of corporate and foundation best practices
• High emotional intelligence, a background in relationship management, and strong intuition for people strategy
• A high level of discretion and comfort working with confidential, sensitive information
• A proactive, driven, detail-oriented approach that inspires trust in colleagues, and is adept at managing upward
• Comfort working in databases, with complex financials, and spreadsheets to enable effective work - familiarity with Salesforce would be a bonus
• A passion for maximizing impact by enabling high-value donations to high-impact charities and interventions
• A desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment

Location: San Francisco, New York or London

Salary: $120,000 - $135,000 / £75,000 - £90,000

WHY WORK WITH US?

Help shape the future of strategic philanthropy

• Join a team of talented, mission-driven individuals
• Generous vacation time to let you recharge and refresh
• 2 days per year charity & civil engagement leave
• Private healthcare 

And when we're back in offices...

• A well-stocked kitchen with fresh fruit, coffee, tea and healthy snacks
• Discounted gym membership and on-site massages
• Office dogs

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Founders Pledge. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone can do their best work.