Talent.com
Senior Development Director

Senior Development Director

Skoll FoundationSan Francisco, CA, United States
1 day ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Role : Senior Development Director, Full-time

Role Purpose : Scale up andlead Climate Cabinet’s fundraising strategy to accelerate our impact in climate, democracy, and policy.

Location and Travel Expectations : Remote in the U.S., based near San Francisco, CA, Seattle, Washington, or New York, NY preferred. This role involves up to 20% expected travel for funder meetings, major events, and team meetings and retreats. Evening hours are occasionally required to fulfill the duties of this position.

Timeframe : Priority deadline forapplications is November 30th, 2025. Target start date is January 2026. We recognize senior fundraising transitions can require notice. While this is our preferred start date, we are able to flex for the right candidate.

About Climate Cabinet

Climate Cabinet helps state and local champions win on climate. We support high-impact, under-the-radar offices who have “outsized impact” on our ability to solve the climate crisis – from clean energy buildout to zero-carbon transportation. These leaders drive progress regardless of who is in the White House.

We are a dynamic, passionate team of experienced climate experts with staff on-the-ground across the country and a remote-first workplace. We create a clear, kind culture of agency and growth—sharing expectations openly, giving space for initiative, and supporting one another as full people to build their climate movement leadership in service of our climate mission.

Role Summary

We’re looking for a Senior Development Director to help us shape the future of clean energy and climate progress. Reporting to and working very closely with the Executive Director, this new role will scale and lead Climate Cabinet’s fundraising growth strategy over the next several years—designing fundraising strategies, cultivating foundation relationships, building scalable systems, and delivering impact throughout both policy and politics. This role serves as the organization’s most senior fundraising leader and has decision authority over the foundation strategy and Development operations.

The ideal candidate is an experienced development leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy, systems-building, relationships, and storytelling. You are motivated by leveraging the strong foundation we’ve built and leading a Development Team composed of two direct reports, the Director of Major Gifts and the Development and Operations Manager, to help funders see how their investment drives climate and democracy impact. Few development roles offer the chance to drive impact across multiple different types of organizations, including both nonprofit and political organizations. Join us if you’re ready to work across our organization to shape one of the most unique development portfolios in the climate space at local, state and national levels!

Responsibilities

Foundation Strategy & Narrative Leadership

  • Synthesize funder and field trends to shape a forward-looking fundraising strategy.
  • Lead and execute all foundation fundraising efforts, including proposals, reports, and budget narratives.
  • Translate complex ideas into clear, fundable concepts that connect program impact to funder priorities.
  • Identify and package new funding opportunities in response to time-sensitive inquiries.

Development Team Leadership & Systems Design

  • Lead the Development Team and drive impact through fundraising strategy, relationships, goals and performance across 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and other distinct legal entities.
  • Manage and coach two direct reports (Director of Major Gifts and Development & Operations Manager), setting priorities, supporting growth, and ensuring alignment across the development function.
  • Design the development function for scale, building from a startup foundation to durable systems, processes, and rhythms
  • Build and maintain systems for proposal creation, reporting, and tracking—enabling collaboration across Development, Finance, Programs, and Comms.
  • Partner closely with the Executive Director on narrative coherence and high-level funder relationships.
  • Represent the Development function in organization-wide planning and cross-functional alignment.
  • What Success Looks Like

  • Climate Cabinet’s funding narrative reflects its bold vision for impact in climate and democracy.
  • Foundation fundraising strategy drives the next tier of 501c3 and 501c4 philanthropic investment (six- to seven-figure grants) and achieves or surpasses goals for sustained institutional partnerships.
  • Development goals are consistently met or exceeded.
  • Development systems enable clarity, accountability, and shared ownership.
  • Proposals and reports reflect exceptional narrative quality and strategic alignment.
  • Team members operate with autonomy, collaboration, and growth.
  • Required Skills and Experience :

  • Fundraising Strategy & Vision-Setting : Synthesizes funder trends, program priorities, and the climate-policy landscape.
  • Systems Leadership & Adaptive Execution : Builds, scales and improves full donor / funder lifecycle systems—including funnel / tracking (“moves management”) for both individual givers and foundations.

  • CRM & Technology Fluency : Proficient with CRMs and fundraising platforms, leveraging technology and AI to enhance pipeline management and impact tracking.
  • Grant Writing & Storytelling Excellence : Writes and edits compelling grants, reports and presentations that clearly connect funding to impact and inspire investment.
  • Continuous Improvement & Innovation : Demonstrates a growth mindset—seeks feedback, iterates processes, experiments with new tools, and fosters team learning.
  • Climate Philanthropy Expertise : Deep familiarity with climate, clean energy, democracy, and policy philanthropy; 10+ years in foundation fundraising with a proven record securing six- to seven-figure grants.
  • Compliance & Multi-Entity Fundraising Experience : Fully fluent in nonprofit and political funding structures, rules, and compliance.
  • Operational Leadership & Cross-Team Collaboration : Defines team workplans, decision boundaries, and narrative standards across impact areas; leads a high-performing development function and collaborates across teams.
  • Compensation and Benefits :

    Salary Range : $145,000-$198,000, commensurate with skills and experience.

    The national base range for the role is $145,000-$165,000, and we apply geographic adjustments for high-cost labor markets such as Seattle, NYC, and SF Bay Area. (Internal Level for Role : 4)

    The position offers a competitive benefits package, including : Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, with the organization covering nearly 100% of employee premiums and 50% of dependent premiums; Unlimited PTO; Basic life insurance and long-term disability; Health FSA and Dependent Care FSA; 401k program enrollment; Paid parental leave; Computer reimbursement stipend.

    Application Process

    We are accepting applications via Greenhouse on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of November 30, 2025. Include a resume, page, and answers to our application questions :

  • Why do you want to work at Climate Cabinet and in this role? (200 words max)
  • Describe a fundraising strategy you’ve led that helped an organization grow or adapt. (200 words max)
  • Share an example of how you’ve built or improved a scalable fundraising system or process. (200 words max)
  • Where are you based?
  • All applications submitted by that date will be reviewed and candidates will receive updates on their candidacy no later than December 18th.
  • The interview process will include approximately three Zoom interviews and reference checks.
  • Target start date is January 2026. We recognize senior fundraising transitions can require notice. While this is our preferred start date, we are able to flex for the right candidate.
  • You should apply!

    We encourage applications from people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, women, first-gen and low-income people, and members of marginalized communities. Furthermore, if you don’t meet the exact job qualifications listed but feel called to the work — please apply. There are many ways to have developed the expertise necessary to excel in this position.

    Climate Cabinet is an equal opportunity employer. Climate Cabinet believes every employee has the right to work in an environment free from unlawful discrimination. Consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, Climate Cabinet provides all employees and applicants with equal opportunity in all aspects of the employment relationship. This includes employment decisions related to hiring, promotions, transfers, disciplinary action, termination, and training. Climate Cabinet will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment.

    Want to learn more about Climate Cabinet?Check out our recent interview onVoltsandclimatecabinet.org.

    #J-18808-Ljbffr

    Create a job alert for this search

    Director Development • San Francisco, CA, United States

    Related jobs
    • Promoted
    Senior Business Development Director

    Senior Business Development Director

    ThunesSan Francisco, CA, United States
    Full-time
    Thunes is scaling fast rapidly across North America and we're looking for elite hunters to open new markets and close transformational deals. If you love building, thrive on delivering big deals, an...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    • New!
    Director, Development

    Director, Development

    PrologisMilpitas, CA, United States
    Full-time
    At Prologis, we don't just lead the industry-we define it with a 1.We create the intelligent infrastructure that powers global commerce, seamlessly connecting the digital and physical worlds.From a...Show moreLast updated: 11 hours ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director of Business Development

    Senior Director of Business Development

    Jewish Vocational Service (JVS)San Francisco, CA, United States
    Full-time
    JVS is a nonprofit working to close opportunity gaps in employment by supporting jobseekers with the skills and confidence to secure quality careers with family-sustaining wages.Grounded in core va...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Director of Development (0462U), Berkeley Law - 81634

    Director of Development (0462U), Berkeley Law - 81634

    InsideHigherEdBerkeley, California, United States
    Full-time
    Director of Development (0462U), Berkeley Law - 81634.At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive.Our culture of...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director, Partner Sales

    Senior Director, Partner Sales

    Adobe Inc.San Jose, CA, US
    Full-time
    Changing the world through digital experiences is what Adobe's all about.We give everyone-from emerging artists to global brands-everything they need to design and deliver exceptional digital exper...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Director of Development (0462U) - MPS

    Director of Development (0462U) - MPS

    InsideHigherEdBerkeley, California, United States
    Full-time
    Director of Development (0462U) - MPS.At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freed...Show moreLast updated: 28 days ago
    • Promoted
    Business Development Director / Senior Director

    Business Development Director / Senior Director

    Prellis Biologics, Inc.Berkeley, CA, United States
    Full-time
    Business Development Director / Senior Director.At Prellis, we aim to revolutionized drug discovery by harnessing the power of human immune system with tightly, integrated machine learning to develop...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director of Design & Advanced Development

    Senior Director of Design & Advanced Development

    NinjakitchenSan Francisco, CA, United States
    Full-time
    Senior Director of Design & Advanced Development.SharkNinja is a global product design and technology company, with a diversified portfolio of 5-star rated lifestyle solutions that positively impac...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director, Corporate Development

    Senior Director, Corporate Development

    Hewlett Packard EnterprisePalo Alto, CA, United States
    Full-time
    Senior Director, Corporate Development page is loaded## Senior Director, Corporate Developmentlocations : Palo Alto, California, United States of America : Spring, Texas, United States of America...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director, Corporate Development

    Senior Director, Corporate Development

    The Trade DeskSan Francisco, CA, United States
    Full-time
    The Trade Desk is changing the way global brands and their agencies advertise to audiences around the world.How? With a media buying platform that helps brands deliver a more insightful and relevan...Show moreLast updated: 5 days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director, Business Development (New Verticals)

    Senior Director, Business Development (New Verticals)

    FlexSan Francisco, CA, US
    Full-time
    Senior Director, Business Development (New Verticals) Flex is a growth-stage, NYC headquartered FinTech company that is creating the best rent payment experience. It's hard to believe that it's 2025...Show moreLast updated: 2 days ago
    Development Director

    Development Director

    CAIR San Francisco Bay AreaSanta Clara, CA, USA
    Full-time
    Quick Apply
    CAIR San Francisco Bay Area is recruiting an experienced and accomplished candidate for its new Development Director role. This full-time, management-level position is essential for executing the or...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Director of Business Development – Outside Sale

    Director of Business Development – Outside Sale

    Genesis Global Recruiting, Inc.San Francisco, CA, US
    Full-time
    Our client is a prominent national Litigation Support company.The general duties as a Director of Business Development include the maintenance and growth of an assigned territory, including managin...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Business Development Director - Nuclear Fuel Cycle

    Senior Business Development Director - Nuclear Fuel Cycle

    AtkinsRéalisSan Francisco, CA, United States
    Permanent
    AtkinsRéalis is growing fast in the U.We’re committed to engineering a better future for our planet and its people.That means creating solutions that matter, and building a workplace where every vo...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director of Business Development

    Senior Director of Business Development

    JVS - Bay AreaSan Francisco, CA, United States
    Full-time
    Be among the first 25 applicants.This range is provided by JVS - Bay Area.Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.JVS is a nonprofit wor...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director, Autonomous Business Development

    Senior Director, Autonomous Business Development

    Socotra, Inc.San Francisco, CA, United States
    Full-time
    At Lyft, our purpose is to serve and connect.We aim to achieve this by cultivating a work environment where all team members belong and have the opportunity to thrive. The autonomous transition is a...Show moreLast updated: 2 days ago
    • Promoted
    Business Development Director

    Business Development Director

    ThunesSan Francisco, CA, United States
    Full-time
    Thunes is scaling fast rapidly across North America and we're looking for elite hunters to open new markets and close transformational deals. If you love building, thrive on delivering big deals, an...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    • New!
    Senior Development Director

    Senior Development Director

    Skoll FoundationSan Francisco, CA, US
    Full-time
    Role : Senior Development Director, Full-time Role Purpose : Scale up andlead Climate Cabinet's fundraising strategy to accelerate our impact in climate, democracy, and policy.Location and Travel Ex...Show moreLast updated: 12 hours ago