Opportunity

Climate Breakthrough is a global philanthropy supporting extraordinary climate leaders to pursue ambitious and transformative climate endeavors through the Climate Breakthrough Award—a multi-million-dollar, multi-year, flexible grant. Our mission is to make an outsized impact in resolving the climate crisis by freeing leaders to translate their boldest ideas into transformative climate action that swiftly and justly closes the gap between the world today and a sustainable future.

Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Climate Breakthrough is funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the IKEA Foundation, the JPB Foundation, The Lemelson Foundation, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Oceankind, and Vere Initiatives.

We are seeking a dynamic and innovative Senior Officer, Philanthropy Partnerships to join our mission-driven team. This newly created role will report to the Director of Philanthropy Partnerships, with considerable cross-team collaboration, and focus on two core areas:

• Leading individual donor fundraising to support our mission
• Advising Climate Breakthrough Awardees—extraordinary global climate leaders—on building their own fundraising capacities

Responsibilities:

HNWI Fundraising (60%)

• Identify and engage prospective donors through board networks, consultants, and events
• Solicit donations in the high six-figure and seven-figure ranges
• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and individual prospective donor to help the organization achieve ambitious goals for growth
• Design and execute strategies to expand HNWI donor networks

Awardee Support (30%)

• Provide tailored guidance and support to Climate Breakthrough Awardees to strengthen their individual donor fundraising capacities
• Act as a thought partner, helping awardees build sustainable fundraising strategies and access resources to advance their transformative climate solutions
• Lead vendor setup for domestic and international vendors in Bill.com platform
• Process and code invoices and ensure appropriate approval pathways
• Work with our outsourced accounting partners to address payment or vendor setup issues
• Track AP to ensure timely payment, and keep internal stakeholders informed of any delays or needs
• Act as primary liaison with all consultants, vendors, and subcontractors on invoicing and payment
• Act as day-to-day liaison for outsourced accounting partners
• Track adherence to internal accounting controls and suggest improvements

Operational and Administrative Support (10%)

• Collaborate with finance, operations, and program teams for seamless integration of fundraising activities
• Maintain accurate donor portfolio records in the CRM system
• Ensure timely and transparent reporting of fundraising progress

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5–7 years of individual major gift fundraising or related experience working with HNWI’s and or in a wealth advisory capacity
• Proven success in managing a major gifts pipeline (six- and seven-figure gifts), and securing major gifts, including the ability to identify and cultivate new donor relationships.
• Experience advising or consulting in innovative, entrepreneurial environments
• Proven relationship-building and cross-cultural communication skills
• Strong commitment to climate action; prior experience in the sector is a plus
• Expertise in developing, improving, and implementing systems to enhance fundraising operations
• Strategic consulting or advisory experience, particularly in innovative or entrepreneurial contexts
• Ability to manage consultants and work collaboratively with the executive team and board
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for solving challenges in dynamic settings
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and awareness and commitment to
• justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity

Preferred:

• Prior experience in climate or environmental sectors
• Experience working with international teams and grantees

Find more information on this role here. 

Apply online. To apply for the position, upload your resume and cover letter here.

This is a remote position, with a preference for candidates in the San Francisco Bay Area or New York metropolitan area. Bay Area hires must work from the San Francisco office one day/week.

Climate Breakthrough is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. As a result of Climate Breakthrough’s development over the last nine years, we are growing and making valuable structural changes as an organization. As part of this transition, Climate Breakthrough has codified principles and is establishing practices that reflect our strong commitment to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our current team and new hires work together closely to set the standards to which we hold our work and ourselves.