Director of Development

About Us

Climate Breakthrough identifies extraordinary leaders and empowers them to launch bold new strategies to address the climate crisis. Each year, we select several exceptional strategists from around the world to receive the Climate Breakthrough Award: a US$3 million dollar grant and tailored support over three years to bring visionary strategies from idea to fruition. We believe that many of the most capable leaders have not yet been given sufficient time, space, support, and funding to develop the kind of climate strategies our world desperately needs. Our program is designed to give these brilliant strategists exactly that opportunity. Our mission is reliant on reaching beyond established networks and approaches to empower a diverse range of voices, perspectives, and strategies.

Climate Breakthrough is funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, IKEA Foundation, Quadrature Climate Foundation, JPB Foundation, Vere, and the Good Energies Foundation. Launched in 2016, Climate Breakthrough has issued fourteen awards to date. For more information about Climate Breakthrough and our awardees, please visit https://www.climatebreakthroughproject.org/

About the Role

The Director of Development will have a multi-faceted role within Climate Breakthrough, both leading efforts for Climate Breakthrough’s fundraising, and advising and supporting our portfolio of incredible awardees as they pursue scaling funding for their breakthrough climate mitigation strategies. The ideal candidate is an accomplished fundraiser with experience working with foundations and major donors both in the US and abroad, who enjoys and is skilled at both the work of identifying and pursuing opportunities with funders directly, and advising and supporting others to create and implement their own fundraising efforts.

Reporting to and in partnership with the Executive Director (ED), the Director of Development (Director) will spearhead development efforts as Climate Breakthrough continues to grow. A new position in the organization, the Director will have the opportunity to build the development function.

Duties and Responsibilities

Climate Breakthrough Fundraising (50%)

• In partnership with the ED and board, develop and execute Climate Breakthrough’s fundraising plan. Effectively manage a portfolio of global prospects and donors (primarily foundations) that have the capacity to make six-, seven-, and eight-figure gifts to both Climate Breakthrough and our awardees. Work closely with the ED and other colleagues to create strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors, including the design and execution of complex, high-level solicitations. Bring an entrepreneurial approach to engaging new, promising prospects through research and leveraging the organization’s impressive board, donor, and staff network. Align prospects’ interests and philanthropic goals with Climate Breakthrough’s current and emerging funding priorities. Partner with colleagues on a limited number of donor events to attract new prospects and deepen engagement with current donors. Develop compelling written proposals in partnership with ED and program staff. Leverage opportunities throughout the year to deepen donor engagement. Develop and track proposals and reports for all foundation and major donor fundraising. Coordinate with communications staff on fundraising collateral and communications. With growth, build the development function, including adding new staff as best suits the needs of Climate Breakthrough and our awardees.

Awardee Fundraising Support (50%)

• Advise and coach Climate Breakthrough awardees to create strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors. Maintain a network of appropriate development consultants and vendors that can support awardees in their own fundraising.  Provide guidance and feedback on awardee fundraising strategies, plans, events, communications, proposals, and staffing searches. Track the evolving landscape of climate mitigation funding mechanisms appropriate to awardee strategies, including multilateral, government, private, and philanthropic collaborations.

Qualifications

• Deep development experience, with a track record of soliciting and closing seven-figure gifts and above from foundations and/or individuals in collaboration with organizational leadership Demonstrated ability to lead the full development process–identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects and donors Ability to strategically link Climate Breakthrough priorities with donors’ interests and funding opportunities Familiarity with the climate mitigation funding landscape and a network within climate philanthropy, or strong and transferable experience in an adjacent field and the ability to come up to speed quickly in this field Experience supporting board members with their efforts in fundraising Ability to advise and support highly capable NGO leaders in designing and implementing their own fundraising efforts across a diversity of climate action strategies Clear and persuasive verbal and written communication skills including high standards for presentation of written materials Experience using a CRM for fundraising A high level of initiative, strong organizational skills, and meticulous attention to detail Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills Ability to travel nationally and internationally 2-6 times per year and undertake occasional evening and weekend work Commitment to and enthusiasm for the mission of Climate Breakthrough Cross-cultural sensitivity and awareness and commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity

Position Details

This role can be performed from anywhere in the US, with the understanding that regular availability during West Coast business hours will be expected. Please note that Full Time at Climate Breakthrough is 35 hours/week; we also have a 31.5 hour/week option (90% time), for which salary is adjusted accordingly. The desired start date for this position is fall 2022.

For a San Francisco Bay Area-based employee, the expected salary range for this role is $155,000-$175,000 (geographic differential will be applied based on location). Climate Breakthrough offers a generous benefits package that includes the following:

• 35-hour workweek, with a reduced hour workweek option available Medical (PPO and HMO), Dental, and Vision plans with 100% employee coverage and >50% coverage for dependents 20 days paid vacation per year, with 25 days after two years 10 days paid sick leave per year All federal holidays observed, plus Christmas Eve and the day after Thanksgiving, as well as two floating holidays and birthday off 401k plan with employer contribution Long-term disability and life insurance

To Apply

CEA Recruiting is assisting Climate Breakthrough in their recruitment efforts. To be considered for this position, interested candidates should use the link below to submit a resume and cover letter through CEA’s job portal.

Please direct any inquiries to Tamara Evans, Search Lead at tamara@ceaconsulting.com. This position will remain posted until filled.

Apply here: https://job.ceaconsulting.com/jobs/director-of-development-remote--106712

Climate Breakthrough is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

As a result of Climate Breakthrough’s development over the last six years, we are growing and making valuable structural changes as an organization. As part of this transition, Climate Breakthrough has codified principles and is establishing practices that reflect our strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our current team and new hires work together closely to set the standards to which we hold our work and ourselves.

CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit www.cearecruiting.com.