Director/Assistant Director of Development

• Location: Washington, DC

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026

• Please Note

: Solidarity Center staff enjoy a hybrid telework schedule. All candidates applying for this role will be expected to work in the Washington, D.C. office a minimum of three days per week unless an ADA or health-related exemption is approved.

Summary

Solidarity Center seeks an experienced and enthusiastic fundraiser with experience in international philanthropy related to human rights, labor, democracy, or social justice to lead and expand our private and non-U.S. government fundraising portfolio. This position will lead and expand the organization’s private and non-U.S. government fundraising portfolio. Experience with European and other international donors is particularly helpful. The selected candidate will be responsible for setting and achieving ambitious revenue goals, cultivating high-level institutional partnerships, and strengthening long-term revenue diversification.

Working closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership, this position will shape and execute a focused, multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with Solidarity Center’s global mission and strategy: a strong belief in the power of labor movements to transform societies.

In addition to advancing external revenue growth, this role will foster an organization-wide culture of fundraising by partnering with program and leadership teams to integrate donor engagement into planning, program design, and external representation. The Director / Assistant Director will strengthen shared ownership of fundraising across the organization.

The decision of whether to hire at a Director of Assistant Director level will be based on the applicant's qualifications and level of experience.

Qualifications:

• • Demonstrated success securing significant funding from foundations, high-net-worth individuals, and/or international public donor agencies
  • Demonstrated success creating and meeting fundraising goals and budgets
  • Deep knowledge of European and other non-U.S. funding landscapes, including philanthropic and governmental institutions
  • Strong relationships within international philanthropy, democracy, labor, or human rights funding communities
  • Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and institutional funders
  • Experience developing and executing multi-year fundraising strategies
  • Experience building a culture of philanthropy within mission-driven organizations
  • Demonstrated ability to engage program staff and leadership in donor cultivation and stewardship
  • Exceptional writing and public speaking skills, with the ability to represent complex international programs to sophisticated donors
  • Strategic thinker with strong judgment, initiative, and ability to prioritize high-value opportunities
  • Knowledge of international political and socio-economic contexts relevant to labor and democracy work
  • Experience in trade unions, worker movements, or social justice organizations strongly preferred
  • Fluency in a foreign language desirable but not required
  • Ten or more years of relevant professional experience
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with donor management systems

Specific Duties:

First three to six months

• • Develop a clear, prioritized fundraising strategy focused on high-potential international and private funding opportunities
  • Assess and strengthen the current donor portfolio and pipeline
  • Establish short- and medium-term revenue projections with pathways to achieve them
  • Partner with the Executive Team to align fundraising priorities with organizational strategy

Ongoing

• • Lead the organization’s private and non-U.S. fundraising strategy
  • Cultivate and manage relationships with foundations, international public funders, and major individual donors
  • Identify, pursue, and secure new funding opportunities
  • Represent Solidarity Center in donor meetings, conferences, and external briefings
  • Advise senior leadership on donor positioning and engagement strategies
  • Partner with program and finance teams to ensure strong proposals, budgets, reporting, and compliance
  • Equip staff with tools and guidance to effectively participate in donor cultivation and stewardship
  • Foster shared accountability for fundraising goals across departments
  • Strengthen donor tracking, engagement, and stewardship systems
  • Provide regular reports to the Executive Team and Board on revenue progress and pipeline development
  • Support the Executive Director in advancing key donor relationships
  • Ensure that development policies and procedures meet compliance and audit standards
  • Perform other related duties as assigned

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

This is a management role, generously compensated with a gross annual salary of approximately $169,000 - $181,000 USD, based on experience. A robust benefits package includes fully paid health insurance, a retirement plan and pension, life insurance, and ample paid time off for holidays, vacation, and medical leave. Pre-tax deduction programs are also available for commuting, dependent care, and health care expenses. In addition, we offer opportunities and funds for professional development.

About Us:

The Solidarity Center is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable law. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to apply should contact information@solidaritycenter.org.

For Candidates Applying from the AFL-CIO: Solidarity Center works in partnership with the AFL-CIO on recruiting and filling positions. Our policy is to notify the AFL-CIO prior to interviewing any of its current employees.