Regional Development Director (Chicago)

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

• 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 jean@fdd.org 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.