Development Director, Individual Major Gifts

Job Description:

RMI is seeking a Director of Individual Giving to play a leading role in securing the philanthropic investment required to scale clean energy solutions worldwide. This is a high-impact, externally facing role focused on building deep relationships with high-net-worth individuals and converting those relationships into significant, often unrestricted, support for RMI’s work. It also has a key role as a people leader on a high-performing, growth-oriented team.  

Position Overview

The Director will manage a portfolio of major and principal gift donors capable of $100K–$1M+ contributions, while helping shape how RMI engages philanthropists in some of the most urgent challenges in energy and climate. The position works directly with senior leadership, program experts, and influential external partners to translate RMI’s strategy into compelling opportunities for investment. 

This role is part of a growing Individual Giving team with significant momentum and increasing ambition. In addition to carrying a personal portfolio, you will help supervise, mentor, and elevate colleagues, contributing to a culture that is collaborative and results-driven. 

This is an opportunity to play a direct role in accelerating the transition to a clean energy future. The Director of Individual Giving will be part of a team working at the intersection of philanthropy, strategy, and global impact—helping to ensure that the most effective climate solutions are funded, scaled, and realized. 

Responsibilities:  

• Build and close transformative donor relationships: Lead the full lifecycle of donor engagement - from qualification through solicitation - resulting in major and principal gifts, with a strong emphasis on flexible, unrestricted funding. 

• Own a high-value portfolio: Manage ~50–75 donors and prospects with capacity for $100K–$1M+ gifts, and deliver against ambitious annual revenue goals of $5M+ (growing toward $7M–$8M). 

• Shape and expand the pipeline for new business development: Partner with prospect research and senior leaders to identify, prioritize, and engage new high-capacity donors and philanthropic influencers. 

• Translate strategy into philanthropic opportunities: Work closely with RMI’s program and communications teams to distill complex technical work into clear, compelling cases for support that resonate with sophisticated donors. 

• Activate leadership and networks: Collaborate with executives, Board members, Committees, and senior volunteers to open doors, deepen relationships, and unlock new giving pathways. 

• Design high-impact donor experiences: Working with the Collaborative Practices and Development Communications teams, create and lead meaningful engagement opportunities - from small salons to multi-day international site visits - that connect donors directly to RMI’s work and impact. 

• Advance long-term giving: Introduce and cultivate planned and legacy giving opportunities with supporters as part of a broader strategy for sustained philanthropic partnership. 

• Lead and contribute to a high-performing team: Manage and mentor 2+ fundraisers, while helping to build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. 

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of fundraising experience, with a track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals 

• Demonstrated success managing and growing a portfolio of major and principal donors 

• Experience working closely with senior executives and preparing them for high-stakes donor engagement 

• Ability to operate strategically while maintaining strong execution discipline 

• Comfort engaging sophisticated donors on complex topics and guiding conversations toward meaningful, often unrestricted support 

• Experience leading or mentoring fundraisers or program staff who contribute to fundraising; experience leading in a fast-paced team environment  

• Strong communication skills and the ability to translate technical content into compelling narratives 

• Familiarity with climate, energy, or related fields is a plus 

Additional details 

• Travel: Approximately once per month, occasionally more 

• Reports to: Senior Director, Individual Giving 

• Team: Currently supervises two fundraisers, with potential to grow 

General  

• Knowledge of RMI’s mission and objectives as well as the principles and practices of non-profit organizations.  

• Results-oriented and thrive within a fast-paced, high-growth organizational culture. You embrace opportunity and are able to demonstrate flexibility and creativity in your approach.  

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and a polished presentation style.  

• Strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to balance responsibilities that range from external relationship-building to internal strategy development. 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with RMI staff, Board members, community groups and other associated agencies.  

• Able to navigate and understand a complicated funding environment with the flexibility to change course quickly with a positive attitude     

Location  

We are a remote-ready company with team members around the globe. Our beautiful and welcoming offices are available for meetings or focused work, whether you are traveling through or living nearby. Our U.S. offices are in New York City; Washington DC; Oakland, California; Boulder, Colorado, and Basalt, Colorado. This role can be located from anywhere in the continental United States.  

We provide you with the essential IT equipment plus a one-time home technology payment and a monthly work from home/commuter allowance to ensure you have a comfortable home office set up and necessary supplies.   

We love seeing each other in person! We occasionally gather for shared time together like retreats and learning experiences. Be ready to travel for occasional in-person meetings (and of course, we cover travel costs).  

Compensation    

At RMI, we prioritize fairness in our pay practices. Salaries are determined based on a mix of experience, market benchmarks, and internal equity across similar roles. The salary range of this position is $XXX-$XXX. New hires typically start toward the lower end of the range, depending on experience and alignment with the role’s scope. In addition to base salary, this position includes an annual bonus target of 20% and eligibility for merit-based increases, which are tied to both individual and organizational performance.

Benefits:     

We offer an array of benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance

• 403b retirement match with immediate vesting

• Group life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability

• Optional voluntary life, AD&D and accident plans

• Health savings or flexible spending accounts

• Fertility and hormonal health support

• Mental health and wellness support

• Comprehensive leaves of absence (including generous parental leave)

• Generous paid time off and sick leave

• Paid sabbatical leave

• Regional holidays with at least one extended break in each geography

• Work from home and home technology allowances

• Learning & development opportunities (LinkedIn Learning and an annual individual professional development budget)

• Potential for bonuses and merit increases

• Discount marketplace (gym memberships, pet insurance, etc.)

• Hybrid / remote work options

• Team retreats and geographic meetups

• Rewards and recognition programs

Diversity          

We know that the diversity of our teams makes us stronger as an organization, and RMI is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity as outlined in U.S. federal law. We prohibit discrimination against applicants, interns, and employees on the basis of any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: age (40 and over), race, color, sex, pregnancy (including lactation, childbirth, or related medical conditions), religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender expression/identity, uniformed service member status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other applicable status protected by applicable law.

RMI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.