Senior Director of Development

Liberty in North Korea•Long Beach, CA

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

Liberty in North Korea is an international NGO working with the North Korean people to achieve their freedom by increasing access to information and technology inside the country, supporting resettled North Korean refugees in becoming agents of change, and providing humanitarian assistance through refugee rescues. At LiNK, fundraising is not transactional. It’s relational, creative, and deeply tied to real human impact. LiNK is entering a significant growth phase, and we are seeking a Senior Director of Development to help lead us into our next chapter. This is a senior leadership role for an experienced fundraiser who brings both strategic vision and hands-on execution, and most critically, a strong, proven track record of managing, mentoring, and coaching fundraising teams. The Senior Director of Development will lead and oversee LiNK’s fundraising strategy while remaining actively engaged in the work: building systems, managing donor relationships, and supporting a small but high-performing development team. This leader will be responsible for driving revenue growth across multiple fundraising channels, cultivating a select portfolio of major donors, and ensuring that the team has the structure, tools, and coaching needed to succeed. We are looking for someone who leads with confidence and humility - someone who can set direction, hold high standards, and develop people, while also rolling up their sleeves when needed. You will partner closely with LiNK’s CEO on strategy and high-level donor engagement and collaborate with the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors to build sustainable, measurable growth that advances our mission. If you are an entrepreneurial, mission-driven fundraising leader who is energized by complexity, motivated by impact, and excited by the opportunity to build and lead in a growing organization, we would love to meet you. This role is designed as a senior, hands-on leadership position with the opportunity to evolve into a Chief Development Officer role as LiNK continues to scale. As revenue grows, systems mature, and the fundraising team expands, this position may assume broader executive-level ownership over organizational revenue strategy, team leadership, and cross-functional planning. We are looking for a leader who is excited to build, execute, and grow alongside the organization, and who is motivated by both near-term impact and long-term leadership potential.

Requirements

8+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success securing and stewarding major gifts
Experience leading fundraising efforts within a $3M–$10M nonprofit or similarly complex, scaling organization
Proven ability to think strategically while also executing hands-on
Strong track record of managing and developing fundraising staff
Demonstrated experience owning donor portfolios, pipelines, and revenue targets
Experience building or significantly improving fundraising systems, processes, and infrastructure (moves management, forecasting, stewardship)
Highly data-driven, organized, and comfortable using CRM systems (Salesforce or similar)
Excellent communicator with high emotional intelligence and strong relationship-building skills
Collaborative, humble leader with a passion for mentoring and developing people
Deep alignment with LiNK’s mission, values, and commitment to human rights
Must be authorized to work in the States

Responsibilities

Lead and drive LiNK’s overall fundraising strategy and performance across major revenue channels
Develop and execute annual and multi-year fundraising plans with clear goals, metrics, and accountability
Partner closely with the CEO to set ambitious revenue targets and donor growth objectives
Collaborate with the Director of Finance on fundraising forecasts, budgeting, and revenue reporting
Personally manage a focused portfolio of board members and six-figure+ donors
Partner with the CEO on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of top-tier donors and partners
Design and lead high-impact donor experiences, briefings, and events
Serve as a trusted fundraising partner to donors and philanthropic supporters
Lead, mentor, and develop a fundraising team that includes: Annual Fund Manager Two Senior Development Managers (frontline fundraisers managing $5k–$100k portfolios) Development Operations & Administrative Coordinator
Establish clear roles, performance expectations, KPIs, and coaching rhythms
Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, learning, and results
Train and support frontline fundraisers in donor strategy, moves management, and solicitation
Build and continuously improve systems for: Moves management and portfolio strategy Forecasting and pipeline management Donor stewardship and communications Campaign and event follow-up
Ensure strong CRM (Salesforce) usage, data integrity, and reporting
Use data and analytics to inform fundraising strategy and resource allocation
Align fundraising strategy with Programs, Marketing & Communications, and Finance to ensure cohesive storytelling and execution
Work with the CEO to support Board of Directors engagement in giving and fundraising
Partner with the Board’s Fundraising Committee to provide tools, reporting, and guidance
Support board members with clarity, coaching, and resources to help them succeed as fundraisers