Director of Development

Location: Negotiable for the right candidate; U.S. East Coast preferred.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

About OCCRP

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) is a dynamic, growing, global nonprofit media organization that is reinventing investigative journalism for the public good. By developing and equipping a global network of investigative journalists and publishing their stories, we expose crime and corruption so the public can hold power to account. We see a future where organized crime and corruption are drastically reduced and democracy is strengthened. Our global team includes editors, researchers, data engineers, security specialists, administrators, technologists, and strategists, each with areas of in-depth expertise.

Winner of the 2020 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship and the 2022 Dutch Postcode Lottery, OCCRP has made significant strides in recent years to diversify its funding base and secure new support to advance its mission around the world, with a current annual operating budget of roughly $15 million.

Position Overview

OCCRP is seeking a dynamic director of development to build on OCCRP’s significant base of support, oversee our talented fundraising team, and lead our fundraising efforts for the next phase of growth. This is a new role to sustain recent growth and diversification and to cultivate new resources to continue building our global model of networked investigative reporting and strengthening our standing as a global organization. This is a senior position ideal for a mission-driven, entrepreneurial professional comfortable conversing with private and public donors and with a strong track record of building new support for game-changing causes, initiatives, and organizations.

The focus of this role is leadership of a fundraising strategy for continued growth, management of a global development team, and the cultivation of new major donors, with an emphasis on private foundations. While a development-focused career is not essential, a successful candidate will bring promising ideas for new sources of support; strong familiarity with and relationships across U.S. and international philanthropy; and experience taking new prospects from the pitch to grant signing process, finalizing proposals and donor promotional materials, and driving meaningful growth. Passion for — and the ability to articulate — the role of investigative journalism in combating corruption, countering disinformation, ensuring accountability, and strengthening democracy around the world is key. Strong writing, editing, and communication skills are a must as well as enthusiasm for working with our global team to build understanding of OCCRP’s unique return on investment.

Reports to: Chief of Global Partnerships and Policy

Team: Partnerships

Principal Tasks:

• Lead development and implementation of a fundraising strategy for continued growth in close coordination with OCCRP’s finance team
• Spearhead outreach to and directly cultivate new donors with a focus on private institutional donors (especially U.S.) and multi-year core grants
• Oversee OCCRP’s development team including high-quality final products, adherence to deadlines, balanced portfolios, and team ability to meet fundraising goals
• Ensure current overarching fundraising targets are met to advance sustainability and minimize risk
• Partner with the Finance Director to track fundraising progress and chart goals; report key updates to the Board
• Supervise OCCRP’s experienced development team, including annual performance reviews
• Ensure compliance with OCCRP’s Gift and Donation Acceptance Policy
• Draft concept notes and proposals; update promotional materials; and otherwise shape effective materials to secure new funding
• Plan events to attract new donors featuring relevant OCCRP staff
• Represent OCCRP at global gatherings to build new donor relationships

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong passion for and ability to articulate the power of investigative journalism to hold power to account, especially in the current global context
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and commitment to advancing OCCRP’s mission
• Ability to innovate and act quickly to seize opportunities, prioritize, and work independently to advance goals
• Demonstrated track record identifying and cultivating new private institutional donors
• At least ten years professional experience, including several years leading non-profit development efforts preferred
• Strong grasp of the non-profit media and transparency and accountability donor landscape as well as foundation operations; established philanthropic relationships preferred
• Tested management/supervisory skills; experience fostering team success and optimizing individual performance and growth
• Familiarity with/aptitude to communicate about issues of anti-corruption, financial crime, press freedom, investigative journalism, countering authoritarianism, and international development
• Team player committed to meaningfully and strategically contributing to the organization’s financial strength and foundation for growth
• Strong grasp of non-profit operations and donor due diligence
• Ability to work with a global team, agility to accommodate time differences, and the patience and enthusiasm to build systems and efficiencies for a growing organization
• Comfort using Microsoft Office applications, primarily Word, Excel and Google Docs, wealth screening software, and fundraising/CRM software, including Salesforce

To Apply

To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and writing samples for two distinct audiences to jobs[at]occrp.org

All applications must be submitted in English. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Whilst we have internal goals to reply to unsuccessful candidates, we regret that the high number of applicants greatly exceeds our capacity to respond to each person. We apologize that we will not be able to reply to any unsuccessful applicants.

As an equal opportunity employer, OCCRP values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace. We offer competitive compensation and benefits and encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate against any person based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, medical conditions, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics. If you are a qualified applicant requiring assistance or an accommodation to complete any step of the application process, please contact hr[at]occrp.org.