Location: Remote within the US
Job Type: Full-time Exempt
Salary: 130,000-160,000 per year commensurate with qualifications and includes a competitive benefits package.
Travel: Some business travel may be required, including overnight stays
Start Date: Available immediately
About Us
The Pacific Institute is a global water think tank that combines science-based thought leadership with active outreach and engagement to influence local, national, and international efforts in water sustainability and resilience. Our vision is to create a world in which society, the economy, and the environment have the water they need to thrive now and in the future. Since 1987 we have worked with groups ranging from major corporations to frontline communities with a mission of creating and advancing solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges. In recent years, we have increased the national scope of our public sector work and built a strong relationship with the United Nations Global Compact to advance corporate sustainability. Our work is routinely featured in national and global top-tier media, and we engage more than 270 partners, including NGOs, utilities, policymakers, businesses, and others.
About the Role:
Reporting to the President and serving as a key member of the Senior Management team, the Director of Development will be responsible for planning, managing, and implementing activities that increase, diversify, and sustain philanthropic support for the Pacific Institute from foundations, corporations, and government entities, as well as other income-generating activities, including fee-for-service relationships, membership fees, institutional retainers and commissions. This position will serve as the lead relationship manager for a portfolio of private foundations, corporate partners, and other institutional donors and be responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive development plan to reach short- and long-term fundraising goals both within the organization’s entire portfolio of funders. The Pacific Institute is at an inflection point of growth, and the Director of Development will be responsible for creating and implementing a fresh vision for funding the organization’s expanding domestic and international work.
Responsibilities:
Strategy, Planning, and Leadership
- Develop and implement long-term visionary strategy for development functions to support national and global scaling of the organization’s work which will serve as a key element in the Institute’s strategic plan.
- Significantly grow our annual income by implementing this visionary strategy.
- Create and manage fundraising planning documents, such as an annual development plan, activity calendar, and foundation calendar, as well as produce and maintain major donor portfolios.
- Participate in senior management and relevant board meetings and contribute to the leadership and strategic planning of the Institute.
- Oversee an earned income feasibility/competitive landscape assessment in consultation with the president, senior staff, and board fundraising committee.
- Maintain an understanding of opportunities and trends in Corporate and Foundation funding and will design and execute appropriate fundraising strategies to maximize results.
- Build relationships with current and potential funders and oversee strategic funding partnerships.
- Develop strategy and advice on engaging current and prospective partnerships toward new philanthropic opportunities.
- Identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects by developing and facilitating relationships with those who have the capacity to partner in support of our mission and priorities.
- Represent the organization in meetings with funders and experience in preparing leadership (e.g., executive-level staff and board members) for high-stakes funding opportunities.
Individual Donors
- Coordinate all aspects of the Institute’s major gifts program, including forecasting and budgeting, donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation strategies.
- Participate and support board fundraising committee to monitor fundraising goals and support the fundraising work of the Board of Directors.
- Oversee the production of mail and e-appeals.
- Organize and conduct donor cultivation and fundraising events.
- Provide the Institute’s president and board members ongoing support, such as preparation for major donor calls and meetings.
- Oversee Salesforce donor database to track donor information, track institutional fundraising efforts, and produce relevant reports.
Institutional Fundraising
- Research, identify, and solicit grant proposals and reports.
- Coordinate institutional fundraising efforts, including foundation and government grants and contracts.
- Oversee foundation prospecting for proposed projects.
- Provide fundraising training and support for board/staff as needed.
- Provide boilerplate material for proposals and reports, and support proposal development led by program staff.
- Cultivate and maintain select foundation relationships and work with PI staff to develop these relationships when appropriate.
- Identify and approach funders to support our research and outreach efforts.
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in fundraising and development work in a non-profit context, including experience leading strategic funding initiatives, cultivating individual donors, and increasing support from existing donors.
- Experience directing major gift cultivation programs.
- First-hand experience writing, editing, and designing fundraising appeals and collateral for individual donors.
- Donor event planning skills.
- Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Professional background or interest in the Institute’s areas of focus.
- Experience managing staff and establishing departmental priorities.
- Experience working with Salesforce donor database.
Compensation and Benefits
This position is eligible for paid vacation and benefits. The Pacific Institute offers an excellent compensation package including a generous health, dental, and Institute-matched retirement plan and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience and reflects the geographic location and field. The initial compensation for this position is expected to range from $130,000-160,000 per year.
Diversity Equity and Inclusion
We commit to improving DEI in our internal operations and culture for two reasons:
To stay true to our values and principles: We recognize that historical and current injustices have left out certain voices and perspectives from decision-making about accessing and managing water resources. We acknowledge that the representation of these groups in water-related decision-making and careers is an important step towards addressing past and current injustices. Because Pacific Institute participates in water-related decision making, we acknowledge that hiring and retaining a diverse staff can contribute to a broader need to address systemic injustices.
To better achieve PI’s mission and vision: We know that having diverse perspectives makes for better research, creative solutions, and can help us achieve our mission. We recognize that a diverse team with varied perspectives, skills, and experiences is essential for generating and scaling innovative ideas that solve increasingly complex challenges. We make an active effort to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, heard, validated, empowered, and celebrated across different identities and cultures. We aim to constantly evolve our approach to DEI to reflect best practices in this work, just as we do with our water and climate research. As part of this commitment, we request that all candidates include a short statement in your cover letter to address how your addition to our staff would contribute to our DEI efforts.
To Apply
Please submit a no more than 2-page cover letter stating your interest and fit for this position (that includes your unique DEI statement) and your CV.
