Development Director

Textile Exchange•New York, NY

18h•$140,000 - $175,000•Remote

About The Position

The Development Director is an entrepreneurial, hands-on leader who will play a critical role in supporting the growth of a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to addressing climate and nature impacts in the fashion, apparel, and textile industry. This role will lead the strategic design and implementation of Textile Exchange’s fundraising strategy to support its Climate and Nature Impact activities as well as a strategy for broader organizational funding mechanisms to support the organization’s theory of change, focusing on addressing the economic barriers to preferred production systems for raw materials and fibers. The Development Director will build and develop prospect and donor relations and will articulate Textile Exchange’s programs and value to prospective and current donors in a compelling and strategic manner. They will build and maintain a diversified donor portfolio, and will be responsible for achieving annual revenue targets. This role is currently the sole dedicated development resource within the organization, with the opportunity to build a function over time. This position reports to the Chief Impact Officer (CIO) and works in close partnership with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team across the organization.

Requirements

7-10 years of relevant experience, in at least two of the following areas: Fundraising, donor relations, or philanthropy; Sustainability in tier 4 production systems in the fashion, apparel, and textile industry; Blended finance, catalytic capital, transition finance, or sustainable investment models; Other senior-level global nonprofit experience, preferably in the fashion, apparel, and textile industry
Proven track record of securing major gifts, grants, or strategic partnerships with philanthropic stakeholders.
Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to cultivate relationships with donors.
Demonstrated ability to work independently as a solo practitioner and build a function from the ground up, with an entrepreneurial mindset and comfort moving between strategy and execution.
Strong presentation, storytelling, and public speaking skills.
Strong project management skills, with a keen eye for detail and deadlines.
Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills in English, with demonstrated experience preparing successful funding applications.
Experience working with donor databases and CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce).
Financial literacy and experience managing grant compliance, budget reporting, and funder financial deliverables.
Passionate about Textile Exchange’s mission and deeply committed to advancing climate, nature, and livelihoods outcomes.
Committed to equity, inclusion, and shared leadership, with a proven ability to work across diverse communities and global contexts.

Nice To Haves

Deep existing connections with philanthropic networks and communities.
Experience working in a global, remote organization.
Familiarity with blended finance vehicles, transition funds, or catalytic investment mechanisms relevant to agriculture and land use.
Existing relationships with foundations or institutional funders active in sustainable agriculture, climate, or nature.

Responsibilities

In partnership with CIO, design and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the Climate and Nature Impact work.
Explore and execute opportunities to partner with existing grant funding mechanisms to fill current gaps in funding opportunities for tier 4 production systems.
Develop a longer-term strategy for investment mechanisms to support collective action and address barriers at tier 4, ensuring alignment with Textile Exchange’s 5-year strategy, engagement model, and theory of change.
Cultivate and steward relationships with a portfolio of mission-aligned donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
Partner with the CEO, Chief Impact Officer, and senior leaders internally and externally to grow and diversify the organization’s philanthropic funding base.
Track grant cycles, deadlines, and deliverables using CRM (Salesforce) and project management tools.
Manage stewardship activities, donor briefings, and engagement events.
Draft, edit, and submit letters of inquiry, grant applications, and donor reports - this is a hands-on role, not solely a management role.
Prepare compelling grant proposals, donor materials, and impact reports, tailored to diverse funder audiences.
Collaborate with program teams to gather relevant data, outcomes, and stories for fundraising materials.
Monitor and evaluate progress against grant deliverables and impact metrics, ensuring transparency and accountability to funders.
Manage grant compliance and budget reporting requirements for institutional funders, including financial reporting and narrative deliverables.
Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that supports innovation, accountability, and professional growth.
Contribute to organizational vision and decision-making, providing fundraising perspectives to inform strategic planning.
Support the CIO in Board engagement and fundraising initiatives.
Promote alignment and integration with other departments.