Regional Development Director (Chicago)
Washington, DC
Full-time
Onsite
1 month ago
About the role
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) seeks to hire a full-time Regional Development Director . This member of FDD's development team will report to the Senior Director and be responsible for managing and growing a high-value donor portfolio based in Chicago , with coverage across the greater Midwest region .
This role is ideal for a driven fundraising professional with experience securing five- and six-figure gifts, cultivating philanthropic relationships, and contributing to strategic revenue growth.
The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial, relationship-oriented professional with strong communication skills, the ability to develop fluency in foreign policy and national security issues, and a commitment to representing FDD with credibility and professionalism.
This position will work closely with development leadership, FDD policy experts and scholars, and donor relations and events teams to engage high-capacity donors and prospects.
Key Responsibilities
Portfolio Management & Growth
Donor Engagement & Relationship Management
Regional Engagement & Events
Collaboration & Team Integration
Qualifications
Application Requirements
FDD is an equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact Jean Thurman at [email protected] or (202) 207-0190.
This is a remote position based in Chicago, requiring regular travel throughout the Midwest and periodic travel to FDD's Washington, DC office. This role has a projected salary band of $120,000–$160,000 per year , based on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including healthcare 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.
This role is ideal for a driven fundraising professional with experience securing five- and six-figure gifts, cultivating philanthropic relationships, and contributing to strategic revenue growth.
The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial, relationship-oriented professional with strong communication skills, the ability to develop fluency in foreign policy and national security issues, and a commitment to representing FDD with credibility and professionalism.
This position will work closely with development leadership, FDD policy experts and scholars, and donor relations and events teams to engage high-capacity donors and prospects.
Key Responsibilities
Portfolio Management & Growth
- Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and prospects based in Chicago and across the Midwest.
- Execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with FDD's organizational priorities.
- Work toward annual revenue goals through consistent outreach, relationship management, and pipeline development.
- Maintain regular, high-touch engagement with donors and prospects to communicate FDD's work and impact.
Donor Engagement & Relationship Management
- Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned donors and prospects.
- Coordinate and support donor meetings with FDD leadership, scholars, and experts.
- Prepare donor briefings, background materials, and follow-up communications.
- Support proposal development and donor strategy execution.
Regional Engagement & Events
- Represent FDD at donor programs, briefings, and small events throughout Chicago and the broader Midwest.
- Help identify opportunities to convene donors and prospects for meaningful engagement.
- Partner with internal teams to support the execution of donor-facing events tied to portfolio strategy.
Collaboration & Team Integration
- Work closely with development leadership on portfolio strategy and growth opportunities.
- Collaborate across donor relations, events, policy, and operations teams to ensure strong coordination.
- Support internal processes related to donor tracking, proposals, and stewardship.
- Contribute to team-wide best practices and development efforts.
Qualifications
- 5–8 years of professional fundraising or relevant relationship-management experience.
- Experience supporting or securing five- and six-figure gifts.
- Demonstrated ability to manage relationships and advance donor engagement.
- Interest in foreign policy, national security, and geopolitical issues, with a willingness to develop deeper expertise.
- Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
- Self-starter with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
- Willingness to travel regularly within the Midwest and periodically to Washington, DC.
Application Requirements
- Resume
- Cover letter
FDD is an equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact Jean Thurman at [email protected] or (202) 207-0190.
This is a remote position based in Chicago, requiring regular travel throughout the Midwest and periodic travel to FDD's Washington, DC office. This role has a projected salary band of $120,000–$160,000 per year , based on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including healthcare 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.
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