Senior Director of Development

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please email your resume and cover letter to: careers@akashinga.org

LOCATION: Remote (U.S.-based, preferably New York Metro Area, Washington D.C. Metro Area, Philadelphia, PA or San Francisco, CA)

THE ORGANISATION

Founded in 2009, Akashinga’s (formerly the International Anti-Poaching Foundation) mission is to deliver resilient nature conservation programs of global significance through community-driven partnerships.

Akashinga partners directly with communities in holistic wildlife protection, working closely with all levels of society to move away from adversarial, exclusively male-led models of conservation. The model brings a more effective, just, and sustainable approach which is highly adaptable to varying landscapes. Akashinga has evolved from an organization primarily focused on environmental law enforcement to one that is elevating local women and communities to drive conservation across ecosystems.

Since 2019, Akashinga has grown significantly with the annual budget moving from $1M to $6.1M, with a portfolio of 13M acres being protected across Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, and Namibia. While the majority of the 400+ employees work in Africa, Akashinga also has a development, administrative, and accounting team in the USA.

THE POSITION AND DESIRED PROFILE

The Senior Director of Development is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing and growing Akashinga’s global fundraising and development strategy. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Development Director manages a team of three staff and consultants (Development Officer, Grants Manager, Development Coordinator) while building and stewarding relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and philanthropic partners.

This position is critical to scaling Akashinga’s mission and ensuring financial sustainability. The Development Director will be a strategist, relationship-builder, and organizational leader, embedding philanthropy into Akashinga’s culture and advancing the brand globally.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Leadership & Management

• Supervise and mentor a team of 3 direct reports, ensuring accountability, collaboration, and systems excellence.
• Hold weekly staff meetings, set clear objectives, and support professional growth.
• Liaise with CEO and other executive leadership and volunteers as external representatives to key prospects and audiences.
• Serve on the Executive Committee, supporting organizational advancement and strategic leadership.

Fundraising & Donor Strategy

• Manage and grow a portfolio of 80+ donors and prospects, with emphasis on 6- and 7-figure donors.
• Develop and implement a 3-year development plan aligned with revenue goals and programmatic priorities.
• Consult with CEO on key fundraising strategies, ensuring alignment across leadership and staff.
• Oversee grant strategy, implementation and reporting for multi-year projects.

External Relations & Representation

• Represent Akashinga at major global conferences and forums (e.g., Skoll World Forum, New York Climate Week).
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Plan and execute an annual donor engagement strategy and calendar, including exclusive donor experiences and events.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Lead joint Development, Brand & Marketing meetings, ensuring consistent alignment and collaboration across departments.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing, ideation, and cross-team learning opportunities.

Planning & Reporting

• Monitor and forecast development performance, providing quarterly reports to leadership.
• Ensure high-quality donor reporting and compliance with grant requirements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• 10+ years of progressive experience in development, advancement, or fundraising leadership.
• Proven success cultivating, soliciting, and closing 6- and 7-figure gifts.
• Demonstrated experience managing donor portfolios and leading development teams.
• Strong skills in grant management and reporting.
• Exceptional communication, storytelling, and relationship-building abilities.
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated ability to align fundraising with organizational growth.

Preferred:

• Background in wildlife conservation, climate sustainability, gender equity, or international development.
• Familiarity with African conservation landscapes and global philanthropic networks.
• Proficiency in Salesforce or other donor database systems.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary: $140,000 – $160,000 based on experience.

Health Benefits: Medical, dental, vision (employer-sponsored), FSA, 401K.

PTO: Paid personal/sick leave, unlimited vacation time.

LOCATION & TRAVEL

This is a remote working position based in the United States. Travel is anticipated to be 30–40% annually, including travel to field programs.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please email your resume and cover letter to: careers@akashinga.org

This job description is not a contract—Akashinga reserves the right to change its contents at any time. Akashinga complies with the guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, or status as a disabled veteran. Akashinga is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Health Benefits: Medical, dental, vision (employer-sponsored), FSA, 401K.

PTO: Paid personal/sick leave, unlimited vacation time.