Development Relations Lead, Interdisciplinary and Engaged Science

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Take charge of AGCI’s operational development strategy for core support activities, the Workshops series, and Engaged Research initiatives.

• Create annual fundraising strategies, set targets, and establish prioritization frameworks in collaboration with senior leadership and advancement teams.

• Facilitate coordination within a complex, multi-program organization involving a variety of internal stakeholders.

• Provide guidance to program and senior leadership on funding opportunities and fundraising priorities.

• Manage the complete moves management process, encompassing funder and donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation.

• Perform prospect research and qualification for institutional and high-net-worth individual prospects.

• Oversee a portfolio consisting of approximately 50–100 institutional and individual donors and prospects.

• Personally cultivate and solicit about half of the portfolio while supporting leadership in managing the remaining relationships.

• Compose communications for funders and prospects, as well as donor briefing materials.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and program leads to coordinate proposals, reports, and other written documents.

• Reframe federally funded program work for philanthropic and private audiences.

• Convert AGCI’s institutional narrative and case for support into funder-ready proposals and requests.

• Assist in defining centralized development capacities, roles, and structures as the function evolves.

• Coordinate cross-team funding opportunities, prioritization, and moves management with development leads.

• Align development strategies and create cohesive narratives regarding investment in AGCI.

• Prepare proposal budgets and financial reports.

• Manage grant lifecycle deadlines and ensure compliance.

• Lead AGCI’s funder CRM, consolidate historical donor records into Salesforce, maintain prospects, and set up data and file-management systems.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree is required; a graduate degree in a relevant field is preferred.

• 7–10 years of increasing responsibility in philanthropy, development, stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, or similar roles.

• Proven experience managing funder relationships and fundraising strategies independently.

• Strong understanding of science philanthropy and global change funding sources, including government, foundation, corporate, and individual contributions.

• Excellent organizational and project-management capabilities.

• Ability to juggle multiple donor and communication priorities in a dynamic environment.

• Skilled in developing and translating complex impact stories into compelling written, visual, and verbal narratives.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Slack, and comparable collaboration tools.

• Proficient in Salesforce.

• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities.

• Capacity to work collaboratively with diverse partners.

• Proven ability to foster inclusive teams and incorporate equity perspectives into programs and partnerships.

• Strong external presence and capability to represent AGCI in public settings.

• Ability to establish authentic, trusted relationships with funders and partners.

• Willingness to engage in both major-gift activities and Salesforce record management.

• Adaptable, curious, and possessing a growth mindset.

• Strong self-awareness and situational understanding.

• Persuasive, collaborative, and dedicated to enhancing AGCI’s reach and impact.

• Ability to excel in a small, supportive, fully remote team environment.

• Willingness to travel both domestically and internationally, approximately 8 trips per year.

🏝️ Benefits

• Organization-sponsored employee and dependent medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Life insurance coverage.

• Disability insurance.

• 401(k) plan with employer contributions of up to 10%.

• Paid time off (PTO).

• Paid parental leave.

• Flexible work schedule.

• Wellness benefits.

• Opportunities for professional development.

• Remote work options available within the United States.

• Access to reliable internet and cellular phone services for remote work.

• Travel opportunities, including approximately 8 trips per year within the US and internationally.