Sr. Director, Institutional Giving

This position is based in Washington, DC

Staff work a hybrid schedule with 2 days/week in the office

The Senior Director, Institutional Giving is responsible for developing and leading IFAW’s unified US strategy to increase funding from government, foundation and corporate funders. Specifically, the Senior Director will be responsible for strategic management and execution of fundraising efforts, including the identification, research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to secure funding from institutional donors and prospects, with a particular initial focus on private foundations in the U.S. The position will coordinate with a global development team and work closely with Program and Finance teams to balance our funding growth with the organization’s programmatic capacity and strategic priorities to deliver quality programs. The position will also be responsible for ensuring strong performance monitoring for programs funded through grants and contracts.

In addition to overseeing the team and strategy, the Senior Director will directly contribute to proposal writing and reporting in collaboration with program and field staff, be a liaison with donors, and coordinate IFAW’s response to opportunities from institutional donors worldwide. The position will also be responsible for developing new relationships with key foundation and corporate partners.

Role And Responsibilities

• Develop overall strategy for increased growth in corporate funding in the US.
• Lead an effective team that will identify, research, and cultivate potential institutional funders for programmatic growth and impact.
• Provide strategic guidance to program and regional leadership as program plans evolve and develop appropriate funding proposals to support program initiatives.
• Oversee and support the growth of corporate partnerships working closely with the Corporate Partnerships Officer to develop a robust model of private sector partnership with a shared commitment to delivering impact for conservation and rescue.
• Identify key foundation prospects and develop cultivation strategies towards significantly growing this portfolio of revenue for IFAW.
• Manage a portfolio of funders, developing tailored cultivation and solicitation plans to deepen engagement and secure financial support.
• Identify, research, and evaluate potential institutional funders in key regions of the world, including the United States and other countries in coordination with regional and program staff.
• Work with executive staff to develop outreach and engagement strategies to increase grant revenue by strengthening current funding partnerships and developing new partnerships.
• Guide and manage Institutional Giving budget and reporting process, including revenue and expense tracking, recognition, and reporting against goals.
• Work closely with Program and Finance teams to ensure systems and processes are in place to monitor compliance with donor requirements across the award lifecycle from award terms and reporting to implementation and closeout.
• Collaborate with staff from appropriate departments and programs including Legal and Finance to ensure cohesive strategy development and implementation across the organization,
• Advance appropriate business development strategies, supervise their implementation, and serve as the project manager, as appropriate, responsible for these initiatives.
• Maintain consistent standards and messaging across teams and funding types, oversee preparation, review and timely submission of high-quality proposals, reports, and related materials.
  
  

Qualifications And Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of demonstrated success in fundraising and management roles, with a proven track record of securing and managing significant institutional grants from foundations, governments, and/or corporations.
• Strong professional network within the international development and/or environmental funding community, with the ability to build and sustain trusted relationships with institutional donors and sectoral peers.
• Extensive experience in international development across multiple regions, preferably Africa and Asia, including successful institutional proposal development, ideally with environmental or conservation-focused funders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a complex, diverse portfolio of institutional funders and to align funding strategies with organizational priorities.
• Strong understanding of donor compliance, performance monitoring, and impact measurement across the award lifecycle.
• Proven ability to lead and manage high-performing teams and cross-functional initiatives to achieve ambitious fundraising targets.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and research skills, including the ability to craft and edit complex proposals and donor materials.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, global environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across diverse cultures and time zones, and to collaborate with international colleagues and partners.
• Willingness to travel to cultivate and steward relationships with institutional funders.
• Passion for IFAW’s mission of animal welfare and conservation; experience in the environmental or humanitarian sector strongly preferred.
  
  

At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people. We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Hiring range is $106,000-$130,000