The Director of U.S. Foundation Strategies will lead a team to raise funds from institutional funders in the US for NRDC’s priority work. The team will significantly contribute to the Foundation team’s goal of over $45M in FY26, with the goal expected to grow on an annual basis.

Working closely with the Managing Director, Institutional, Global, and Corporate Philanthropy and Development leadership, the Director of U.S. Foundation Strategies will support a team of Portfolio Managers in prospecting, cultivating, and stewarding institutional funders while also fostering a culture in which team members can thrive. The Director will also maintain a portfolio of their own of NRDC’s top foundation donors.

• Lead a team of three Portfolio Managers who are focused on raising funds for NRDC’s work in the U.S.
  • Ensuring they have the support they need to: develop fundraising strategies for each of the funders and prospects in portfolios, meet report and proposal deadlines, and identify opportunities for engagement while staying current on foundation news.
• Partner with the Foundation Prospecting and Stewardship Strategy team to develop a strong pipeline of prospective funders.
• Support Strategists in engaging with program teams and leadership staff to keep NRDC staff focused on institutional priorities and needs, participate in program/department retreats and working groups.
• Mentor the portfolio managers in co-developing creative engagement strategy in partnership with program and leadership 
• Manage a targeted high value portfolio of funders and prospects. Develop strategies for building and maintaining a strong relationship at the institutional level, including engaging NRDC Leadership.
• Build strong relationships across the institution and remain current on our programmatic work
• Collaborate with the Director, Global Foundation Strategies and Principal Gifts team to ensure institutional engagement is coordinated for shared foundations.
• Ensure the team maintains consistent and up to date records in Salesforce and follows institutional and departmental processes, including move management systems.
• Collaborate with all Development stakeholders including writers, grant managers, researchers, principal and major gifts team members, and the Donor Systems team.

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree in business, policy, or applicable degree preferred.
• 7 years of previous experience in frontline philanthropy with at least 3 years of management experience for organizations with a $100m+/year operating budget.
• Direct experience with Salesforce preferred.

Skills, Abilities, Competencies

• Knowledge of environmental issues and funders desired
• Strong communication and managing skills
• Solid experience in donor meetings
• Ability to build strong relationships with staff, colleagues, and foundations
• Strong big-picture and strategic thinking skills
• Organizational skills; ability to prioritize and simultaneously oversee multiple streams of work to meet overlapping deadlines
• Detail oriented with high standards of excellence
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $120,000 to $140,000.  

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month. 

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws. 

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422. 

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.