Development Director

POSITION: Development Director with Upstream

POSITION TYPE: Director level, reports to CEO

LOCATION: Remote, must be located within the U.S.

COMPENSATION: This is a remote position with a salary range of $120,000 - $130,000 depending on experience. Benefits include, but are not limited to: 403b plan with 5% employer match after 1 year of employment, flexible time off plus 17 paid holidays, robust parental leave, technology and co-working space stipend, health stipend, and supplemental insurance.

UPSTREAM’S MISSION: We drive change toward a robust and enduring reuse economy.

UPSTREAM’S VISION: We live in a regenerative world where the planet is treated as in disposable and communities thrive.

Development Director Job Summary

The Development Director is a highly dynamic and collaborative senior executive responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive, sustainable, and scalable growth and fundraising strategy for the organization. This role requires high levels of executive skills including 7+ years experience in the fundraising field. This leader will develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan for the organization and be responsible for helping Upstream reach its income and other development goals.

This role involves leading fundraising efforts, strengthening donor and partner relationships, and enhancing the organization's visibility among key audiences. The successful candidate will be dynamic, engaged, and dedicated to continual learning. This person manages the Fundraising Team members and the team’s activities.

• Develop and execute short- and long-term comprehensive, innovative fundraising strategies aligned with organizational goals with particular emphasis on strengthening donations from individuals, increasing donor retention, and creating a more balanced and sustainable portfolio
• Create and expand a robust major gifts program focused on identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting high-potential donors, particularly individuals and family foundations
• In the first year, work collaboratively with our development consultants to assess current fundraising efforts and co-create an annual development plan. Lead the implementation of this plan across all funding streams—including annual and major individual giving, grants, sponsor ships, board giving, and special events—and, in subsequent years, independently lead the creation, planning, and implementation of the annual development plan.
• Set annual fundraising targets and create budgets, timelines, and benchmarks to measure progress
• Serve on the Leadership Team, contributing strategic thinking to organizational planning
• Monitor fundraising trends, opportunities, and competitive landscape
• Demonstrate a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to challenges
• Partner with the Communications Team to develop integrated marketing strategies that enhance brand visibility
• Partner with the CEO and Board Chair to strengthen board engagement in philanthropy, including annual board giving campaigns, expectation-setting and coaching, and building a board culture of philanthropy
• Execute multi-channel fundraising initiatives including major gifts, annual campaigns, events, and corporate sponsor ships
• Meet fundraising KPIs by securing single and multi-year major gifts to ensure long-term financial sustainability
• Lead, manage, and develop the Fundraising Team, including staff and contractors
• Hire, onboard, coach, and conduct performance management for direct reports
• Foster a culture of continuous learning by identifying professional development opportunities
• Work collaboratively with CEO, staff, and volunteer leadership to implement strong infrastructure and stewardship practices to provide effective donor management systems and processes
• Establish and enforce CRM best practices to ensure clean data, accurate forecasting, donor segmentation, and dashboards for regular tracking of fundraising performance
• Report regularly to the CEO on fundraising strategies, progress, and outcomes

• Cultivate and steward relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporate partners, and…