Regional Development Director; Tri-State Region

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) seeks to hire a full‑time regional development director. This senior member of FDD's development team will report to the senior director and be responsible for managing and growing a high‑value donor portfolio across the Tri‑State region.

This role requires a seasoned fundraising professional with deep experience securing significant five‑ and six‑figure gifts, cultivating sophisticated philanthropic partners, and driving strategic revenue growth. The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial, highly strategic relationship‑builder with strong fluency, or the ability to quickly gain fluency, in foreign policy and national security issues, exceptional donor‑management skills, and the ability to represent FDD with credibility at the highest levels.

This position will work closely with senior development leadership, FDD policy experts and scholars, and donor relations and events teams to engage with high‑capacity donors and prospects.

• Strategic Portfolio Leadership
  • Lead, manage, and grow a robust portfolio of major donors and prospects across the Tri‑State region.
  • Develop and execute multi‑year cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with FDD's organizational priorities.
  • Meet and exceed annual revenue goals through disciplined portfolio management, strategic solicitation, and pipeline development.
  • Conduct proactive, high‑touch outreach to deepen donor engagement and clearly communicate FDD's impact and priorities.
• High‑Level Donor Engagement & Relationship Management
  • Serve as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for major donors, prospects, and philanthropic partners.
  • Strategically plan, schedule, and facilitate donor meetings with FDD senior leadership, scholars, and experts.
  • Prepare tailored donor strategy briefs, research, meeting materials, proposals, and personalized follow‑up communications.
  • Manage complex donor conversations and navigate sophisticated philanthropic expectations with discretion and professionalism.
• Event Leadership & Regional Engagement
  • Represent FDD at high‑level donor programs, private briefings, parlor meetings, and regional events throughout the Tri‑State area.
  • Identify and develop opportunities to convene donors and prospects for high‑impact engagements that strengthen relationships and advance giving.
  • Partner closely with events and operations teams to ensure seamless execution of donor‑facing programs tied to portfolio strategy.
• Collaboration & Organizational Alignment
  • Work closely with senior development leadership to design and execute major gift strategies and regional growth plans.
  • Collaborate across investor relations, donor experience, policy, research, and operations teams to ensure cohesive stewardship.
  • Coordinate internally on upgrades, proposals, impact reporting, and long‑term donor cultivation efforts.
  • Contribute to team‑wide strategy discussions, best practices, and the continuous refinement of development processes.

• 7‑10 years of professional fundraising experience, with direct responsibility for securing five‑ and six‑figure gifts.
• Demonstrated success managing a sophisticated donor portfolio within a competitive philanthropic landscape.
• Strong working knowledge of foreign policy, national security, and geopolitical issues, or the ability to gain fluency quickly.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship‑management skills.
• Highly strategic thinker capable of developing customized cultivation and solicitation pathways.
• Comfortable engaging high‑capacity individuals, including business leaders, philanthropists, and senior national security stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage complex priorities, and execute with precision in a mission‑driven, entrepreneurial environment.
• Exceptional organizational discipline, judgment, and attention to detail.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout the Tri‑State region and to Washington, DC.

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Portfolio examples

FDD is an equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact Jean Thurman at jean or (202) 207‑0190.

This is a remote position that requires regular travel throughout the Tri‑State region and occasional travel to FDD's Washington, DC, office. This role has a projected salary band of $175,000‑$225,000 per year, based on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including health care coverage based on eligibility. Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply here.

FDD is a Washington, DC‑based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. For more information, please visit FDD.org and follow FDD on X @FDD.