Vice President of Development (CWF) (San Francisco)

Powerful progress has been made in the last decade in the fight against global climate change, yet much more must be done. The global philanthropic community must increase and accelerate its efforts in order to secure the future of our planet and protect its people. Solving the climate crisis will deliver many lasting benefits, including stronger economies, greater food security, reduced population displacement, and improved public health.

Philanthropy has stepped up its commitment to addressing climate change over the past decade, and the ClimateWorks Foundation (CWF) has played a central role in the progress that has been made. Created in 2008 to help funders align around common goals and support the global ngo community in helping drive the transformation needed to solve climate change, CWF has a decade-long track record of driving solutions and delivering impact. As CWF begins its second decade of work, it is in the midst of a strategic refresh process which will position the organization to help a growing global community of funders deliver climate solutions at the requisite pace necessary to win.

Historically reliant on a small number of extremely committed major funders, CWF leadership recognizes the need to strengthen existing and substantially increase new philanthropic revenue streams in order to expand current programs, fund new areas of interest, and maximize CWF’s overall impact. As part of this effort, CWF seeks a highly seasoned, dynamic, and innovative vice president of development capable of providing strategic vision, leadership, and direction for all fundraising and stewardship activities and transforming the existing program into one of robust success. In this newly-elevated role, the vice president will report to President and CEO Charlotte Pera and serve on her executive team.

Success in this role will, in part, depend on the vice president’s ability to educate and engage all members of the CWF community—senior leadership, board members, funders, program staff, and other key constituents—in a strategic fundraising approach and lead a team of fundraising professionals to meet aggressive goals. The vice president will play an essential role in designing a compelling case for support for investment opportunities in CWF’s strategies and programs, and in so doing, expand the major gift pipeline by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting seven- and eight-figure gifts from new individual and institutional donors. Additionally, the vice president must implement a comprehensive, collaborative, and inclusive donor stewardship program, engage board members in the fundraising process, and build a sustainable infrastructure to support future development efforts.

Ideal candidates must be passionate about and personally committed to addressing climate change. A minimum of 15 years of proven leadership and organizational experience in development in a complex and growing enterprise is required, as is a comprehensive knowledge of all areas of development and a track record of significant personal success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of seven- and eight-figure donors. Ideal candidates must have extensive experience in co-creating organizational strategies for ambitious, mission-driven organizations; be able to create a results-oriented work environment that promotes collaboration and achievement, and must demonstrate a high level of integrity and trust. In addition, ideal candidates must exhibit the credibility and sophistication to effectively engage and partner with key internal and external stakeholders; be a self-starter able to effectively prioritize and meet goals; and be able to succeed in an environment of rapid change. A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

In accordance with its core values and mission, CWF is especially interested in recruiting members from diverse communities and individuals with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

To Apply

Rachel Ellenport is leading this search with Jean Jacoby and David Dacres. For more information, to make a nomination, or to apply for this role, please visit:

ClimateWorks Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse candidate pool. The Foundation recognizes diversity as an asset essential to accomplishing its work and views diversity as encompassing differences in race and gender, as well as age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, job skills, education, and geographic location. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.