Senior Director, Advancement and Partnerships

About Us: Project Scientist is an education nonprofit delivering high-quality experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) to girls* from marginalized and underserved communities. We offer summer and after-school programs in partnership with local schools, school districts, nonprofit organizations, and STEM companies. To date, we have provided more than 116,000 STEAM education experiences, impacting over 24,000 girls from communities across the United States and Mexico. Partner with us to foster a future where girls and women have equal access to pursue their career dreams and empower the next generation of women STEM leaders, innovators, and disruptors.

Description

Our Core Focus: We are building a just world by empowering girls to become innovators and disruptors in STEM.

Our Niche: Cultivating a joyful girl-centered STEM ecosystem

• While we focus on those who identify as girls, Project Scientist is committed to serving children of all gender identities and expressions

The Role: The Senior Director of Advancement and Partnerships will play a pivotal role in advancing Project Scientist’s mission to ignite and cultivate STEM confidence in all girls. Reporting to the CEO, the Senior Director will lead efforts to grow the organization’s philanthropic support and strategic partnerships to achieve ambitious revenue and programmatic goals. This role is ideal for a dynamic leader who combines visionary thinking, strategic acumen, and hands-on execution to drive revenue growth and build lasting relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to achieve and exceed annual revenue targets, primarily focusing on corporate and foundation growth.
• Diversify funding streams, emphasizing expansion into corporate sponsorships, foundation partnerships, and new opportunities such as public-private collaborations and government grants.
• Research, design, and implement an individual giving framework targeting high-net-worth individuals and leveraging corporate employee giving programs.
• Launch and scale innovative campaigns, including She’ll Be Ready and STEM Girls Run the World, to amplify donor engagement and visibility (in partnership with Marcom).
• Cultivate multi-year corporate sponsorships and secure new partnerships in high-growth industries.
• Pursue new funding opportunities, including social enterprises, impact investments, and government programs.
• Build collaborations with industry leaders and community organizations to expand support.
• Leverage data and technology platforms, such as Salesforce and AI tools, to enhance donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for optimized fundraising outcomes.

Partnership Development

• Cultivate long-term relationships with corporate and foundation leaders, serving as a persuasive ambassador for Project Scientist’s mission and programs.
• Collaborate with regional leaders to implement localized fundraising strategies tailored to specific communities, maximizing regional engagement and impact.
• Represent Project Scientist at key events and in public forums to build awareness, elevate the organization’s profile, and attract new supporters.

Qualifications

• A strong passion for empowering girls in STEM and a commitment to Project Scientist’s mission.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in fundraising, advancement, or partnerships, with demonstrated success raising $3M+ annually.
• Alignment with Project Scientist Core Values
• Proven ability to cultivate major gifts and secure six- and seven-figure donations.
• Expertise in managing and mentoring teams, driving measurable growth in fundraising performance.
• Experience leveraging CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and technology for fundraising success.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage a diverse range of stakeholders.

Benefits

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• $85,000 Base Salary
• Fully Remote
• Flexible schedule
• 14 days of accrued PTO, federal holiday closures, 3 personal days, and 6 sick days
• 403 (b) Retirement Plan and 3% match (vested after 12-months)
• 100% Paid Medical, Dental, Vision
• Technology stipend
• Parental Leave
• Professional development opportunities and the ability to make a lasting impact on girls’ futures in STEM.

Application Process:

• Timeline: Applications will be accepted for two weeks, with a target start date of early March 2025.
• Interview Process: Three rounds of interviews with senior leaders, including board members.