The salary for this position is $140,000 – $160,000.
Position Overview
The U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors
securing America’s net-zero future by advancing state-led,
high-impact climate action. The Alliance Secretariat helps its
members accelerate climate action by providing a broad range of
technical, analytical, policy, and capacity assistance and
resources. The coalition has also built strong relationships with
the federal administration to help create and implement an
ambitious, durable national climate framework. For more information
on the Alliance, please visit www.usclimatealliance.org.
The U.S. Climate Alliance seeks a Development Director to lead the
Secretariat’s fundraising activities and secure the philanthropic
resources needed to sustain and grow our work in support of our
member governors. The Development Director will be responsible for
overseeing effective donor stewardship with existing funders,
identifying and cultivating relationships with prospective new
funders, leading the development of grant proposals and reports,
establishing systems and processes to support an effective
fundraising operation, and tracking progress toward grant
objectives in close collaboration with the Leadership Team and
relevant policy leads. The Development Director reports to the
Managing Director and sits on the Extended Leadership Team,
contributing to the strategic direction of the organization. This
is a brand-new role and an exciting opportunity to build on the
Alliance’s momentum and growth as we look to increase support for
member states and territories at a critical moment for climate. The
position is part of the Energy and Climate team at the United
Nations Foundation, which houses the U.S. Climate Alliance
Secretariat.
This position is based in Washington, DC (hybrid schedule) with
consideration for remote work in the continental U.S.
Essential Functions
Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing
funders.
- Steer donor stewardship activities aimed at increasing
visibility and understanding of the Alliance’s work, impact, and
successes with existing funders. This may include organizing
in-person meetings, virtual calls, and presentations with Alliance
leadership and policy sector leads; drafting invitations to
Alliance events and convenings; coordinating funder roundtables;
amplifying relevant newsletters, announcements, and other
publications; and other activities. - Respond to and coordinate responses to funder inquiries and
requests. - Track deadlines, deliverables, and action items to support
ongoing funder engagement.
Identify and cultivate relationships with prospective new
funders.
- Maintain knowledge of trends in climate philanthropy,
particularly foundations, and other 501c (3) charitable
organizations. - Identify and conduct research on prospective funders with
strategic interests that align with the Alliance’s mission and
policy priorities. - Prepare one-pagers, talking points, and other background
materials for prospective funders that effectively and succinctly
illustrate the Alliance’s work and impact. - Facilitate outreach, engagement, and relationship-building with
prospective new donors in collaboration with the Executive Director
and Managing Director. - Support engagement between Alliance leadership and current and
prospective funders. - Establish a travel and meeting strategy for the Executive
Director and Managing Director that proactively identifies
opportunities for engagement. - In advance of meetings or other interactions with funders,
draft briefing documents and compile other supporting
materials. - Schedule and run any needed advance preparation meetings.
- Schedule and run debrief meetings to ensure that meeting
details and outcomes are appropriately documented, and action items
are tracked.
Lead the development and submission of all funding
proposals.
- Working with fellow Secretariat team members, lead the
development of grant proposals that align with the Alliance’s
mission and strategic plan, advance our policy priorities, support
the needs of states, and complement specific funder interests. - Create and implement a proposal review process that ensures all
relevant staff, including the Executive Director, are in alignment
on a proposal before it is submitted. - With the Operations and Development team, create a proposal
budget. - Submit all proposals through the relevant donor portal.
Lead the development and submission of all required grant
reports.
- Track reporting deadlines and proactively work with sector
leads and the Operations and Development Teams to submit financial
and narrative reports on time. - Create and implement a reporting review process that ensures
all relevant staff are in alignment on a report before it is
submitted.
With the Operations and Development Teams, implement and
oversee processes for:
- Connecting Alliance-wide annual planning to fundraising
goals. - Reviewing and negotiating grant agreements.
- Qualifying new prospective funders.
- Communicating with funders and tracking funder
interactions. - Projecting revenue and identifying budget gaps.
- Others as assigned.
Selection Criteria
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 7-10 years of relevant work experience.
- Successful track record in development, with experience
fundraising for energy, environment, or climate non-profits
strongly preferred. - Strong knowledge of trends in philanthropy, particularly
climate philanthropy, foundations, and other 501c (3) charitable
organizations.
- Prospective funder research and management experience, and
knowledge of prospect research tools. - Excellent interpersonal and relationship management
skills. - Superior attention to detail.
- Experience using Salesforce preferred but not required.
- Excellent writing, storytelling, and proof-reading skills, with
a strong attention to detail and ability to communicate technical
information to diverse audiences. - Experience developing and tracking progress toward
objectives. - Ability to work effectively across teams and time zones.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and experience with
fundraising databases. - Proficiency for anticipating and avoiding problems.
- Aptitude for grasping and adding value to the organizational
vision and mission, helping to develop and deliver on high-level
goals and priorities. - Organizational, political, and emotional intelligence and
ability to use discretion around sensitive information. - Ability to work well under pressure.
Our Values
The Secretariat’s core values represent our team’s highest
priorities and driving forces. These values are the heart of how we
go about doing our work in support of each other and our member
governors and states, serving as cultural cornerstones and
exemplified by all members of our team.
- Purpose: We are aligned by a common purpose to confront the
climate crisis and its impacts through the power of state
government. We connect our daily work to the Alliance’s mission
and, in pursuit of our shared goals, always act in the best
interest of our governors and states. - Excellence: We have high standards in the work we do to support
Alliance governors and states. We are focused, data-driven, and
attentive to the smallest of details while never losing sight of
the big picture. - Empathy: We value kindness and treat others with dignity and
respect, recognizing that our actions affect one another and all
those with whom we interact. We consider growth, learning, and
development to be priorities. - Inclusion: We actively work to increase diversity, advance
equity, and cultivate a welcoming work environment where everyone
feels valued. We are collaborators and prioritize teamwork —
knowing that it will take our broader community all working
together to ultimately solve the climate crisis. - Balance: We value a positive work environment and, even in the
hectic day-to-day, we make the time to build relationships,
celebrate successes, and laugh. We know that balancing home and
work lives is essential and encourage each other to put the health
and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones first.
Benefits & Compensation
For full-time, U.S. benefit eligible employees, UNF offers an
excellent range of benefits, including:
- a choice between two health plans through UnitedHealthcare (PPO
or HDHP with HSA) - dental insurance
- vision insurance
- flexible spending accounts
- 403b retirement savings plan with a generous matching
contribution - group term and supplemental life insurance
- short-term disability
- long-term disability
- health club discounts
- commuter subsidy
- back-up care
- employee assistance program
Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid
holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8
weeks of family leave care.