Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP) - Foundation
Global Director for Advancement
Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP) - Foundation, Poland, New York, United States
About CSP
The Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP) was initiated at the first, 2015 iteration of the Impact Investing for the Next Generation training program at the Initiative for Responsible Investment (IRI) at Harvard Kennedy School. Since then, CSP has grown into a global platform with entities in EMEA (Zurich), Asia-Pacific (Singapore), and the Americas (US; with close collaborators at MIT Sloan and Stanford PACS), and academic home at the University of St.Gallen (HSG), working to advance sustainable finance in private wealth as a key lever for social and environmental sustainability.
In 2025, CSP established the CSP Foundation in Zurich as the global coordinating node, bringing together our various entities under a unified strategy to maximize impact in sustainable finance education and research.
Position Overview
The Global Director for Advancement will play a pivotal role in securing CSP's long-term sustainability and global impact by leading comprehensive development (fundraising) and alumni engagement strategies across all CSP entities. This position offers a unique opportunity to build and implement advancement infrastructure and strategy for a leading organization in sustainable finance education and research.
This is a relationship-driven, strategically focused role requiring exceptional donor cultivation skills, operational excellence in development systems, and the ability to orchestrate complex, multi-stakeholder fundraising campaigns across international entities.
Tasks Key Responsibilities
Global Fundraising Strategy and Execution (50%)
Design and lead the comprehensive global fundraising strategy for CSP across regions, defining all aspects of fundraising campaigns including: the who (donor prospects and solicitors), what (ask content, presentations, proposals), where, when, and how (logistics and execution) Design and coordinate annual fundraising campaigns and implementation of an annual fund program to enable each CSP entity to raise needed funds for operations and growth Lead design and development of a 2 - 3 year $25 million+ endowment campaign for the CSP Foundation, including strategies for major gifts, foundation grants, and annual fund programs
Prospect Research and Pipeline Management
Lead comprehensive prospect research activities to identify and qualify potential donors across all giving levels, including wealth screening and philanthropic interest analysis Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospects, including foundations, tracking readiness and capacity for major gifts Develop detailed prospect profiles and briefing materials for cultivation activities
Relationship Development and Solicitation
Develop and steward relationships with high-net-wealth individuals, family offices, and institutional donors, personally cultivating donor relationships with the goal of making up to six-figure asks where personal connections are strong Coordinate and prepare leadership and board members for donor meetings and solicitations Develop pitch decks, grant proposals, and all other necessary collateral Manage the cultivation-to-solicitation timeline and process for major gift prospects
Donor Stewardship
Design and implement comprehensive stewardship programs for all donor levels, ensuring timely and personalized acknowledgment of gifts Create meaningful recognition and engagement opportunities for donors Develop impact reporting and communications to demonstrate philanthropic outcomes
Development Operations and Data Management
Manage all fundraising-related data and systems, ensuring data integrity, accessibility, and establishing best practices for donor prospecting, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship Develop systems and processes for tracking and reporting on fundraising activities and metrics Create compelling case statements, fundraising materials, and donor communications while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and best practices in international fundraising
Alumni Relations & Engagement (30%)
Strategic Alumni Programming
Build and lead a global alumni engagement strategy, integrated with the fundraising strategy, across all CSP entities Oversee comprehensive offerings for CSP's growing alumni network, helping to build their capacity as sustainable finance leaders and increase their engagement with CSP Create opportunities for alumni to remain involved with CSP's mission and contribute to its growth
Collaboration with Growth Initiatives
Work extremely closely with the Director of Growth to create seamless alumni engagement pathways Support alumni engagement around referrals for training programs and encourage alumni registration for level 2 programs Develop integrated strategies that move alumni along the engagement continuum from program completion to active ambassadorship and philanthropic support
Regional and Global Programming
Develop and implement programs to maintain strong connections with alumni worldwide Coordinate with regional alumni managers to ensure consistent, high-quality alumni experiences globally
Team Leadership and Coordination (20%)
Provide strategic direction and management to reports (0.5 FTE Operations and Fundraising Manager, 1.0 FTE Senior Manager Alumni), building their as well as the larger global team’s capacity in donor relations, prospect research, and advancement best practices Coordinate advancement activities across CSP's entities in EMEA, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, fostering collaboration between fundraising and alumni engagement functions Report to Management Team on advancement strategy, progress, and opportunities
Success Metrics
Within the first 18 months, the Global Director for Advancement will:
Establish a global fundraising strategy with clear goals, timelines, and accountability across all CSP entities Build a qualified prospect pipeline of 50+ major gift prospects ($50K+) and lead implementation of the strategy with key staff and stakeholders Personally cultivate and solicit at least 10 major gift prospects Launch the $25 million endowment campaign with documented case for support and campaign plan Implement donor database systems and reporting protocols across all entities Increase alumni engagement metrics by 30% (measured by event participation, program referrals, and communications engagement)
Requirements Essential Experience
7+ years of progressive experience in development/fundraising, with significant focus on major gifts (six and seven figures and above) and alumni relations Proven track record of personally soliciting and closing six-figure+ gifts Demonstrated success in securing seven-figure gifts and managing successful multi-million dollar fundraising campaigns Extensive experience with full-cycle fundraising: prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship Expertise in donor pipeline management and fundraising data systems Experience managing fundraising professionals and building high-performing teams
Technical Skills
Expert knowledge of contemporary donor management/fundraising CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, Blackbaud) Strong analytical skills for prospect research, wealth screening, and portfolio management Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to craft compelling proposals and cases for support Proficiency in creating donor presentations and fundraising materials
Domain Knowledge
Strong understanding of sustainable finance, impact investing, or related fields Knowledge of the sustainable finance ecosystem and key players Understanding of family office and high-net-wealth philanthropic decision-making
Personal Attributes
Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills Strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities High degree of professionalism, discretion, and ethical standards Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively across international contexts Self-starter with entrepreneurial mindset and ability to build programs from the ground up Comfort with ambiguity and ability to thrive in a dynamic, growing organization
Practical Requirements
Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus Permission to work in Switzerland or UK/EU/US as relevant to location Willingness to travel internationally (up to ~25%) Willingness to work in a hybrid set-up, depending on location
Preferred Experience
Advanced degree in relevant field Experience in higher education or research institution fundraising Experience working across multiple international entities or geographies Track record of building development programs and systems from the ground up Experience with endowment campaigns or comprehensive capital campaigns Demonstrated success engaging alumni in both philanthropic and non-financial ways
Benefits Opportunity to shape the future of sustainable finance education and research at a critical growth stage Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with Swiss NGO/Foundation standards Global exposure and networking opportunities with leaders in sustainable finance Professional development and learning opportunities Flexible working arrangements with potential for hybrid/remote work Being part of a dynamic, mission-driven team committed to global sustainability Annual personal development budget Standard Swiss vacation and benefits package (or equivalent for UK/EU/US locations)
Application Process
Please submit:
Your CV/Resume highlighting relevant fundraising achievements, including specific campaign results and gift amounts secured A detailed cover letter (2 pages max) explaining your interest, relevant experience, and fit for this role A development strategy outline (2-3 pages) describing your approach to:
Building a qualified major gifts pipeline from scratch Launching the $25 million endowment campaign Integrating alumni engagement with fundraising strategy Managing fundraising data and systems across multiple international entities Note: Due to technical limitations, please submit Item 3 together with Item 2 in a consolidated file.
Application Timeline Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Interview Process Shortlisted candidates will participate in: Initial screening interview In-depth interview with Managing Director Panel interview with Management Team members Final interview including case presentation on fundraising strategy
Equal Opportunity Statement
CSP Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives who are passionate about sustainable finance and advancing our mission.
We look forward to hearing from you!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP) was initiated at the first, 2015 iteration of the Impact Investing for the Next Generation training program at the Initiative for Responsible Investment (IRI) at Harvard Kennedy School. Since then, CSP has grown into a global platform with entities in EMEA (Zurich), Asia-Pacific (Singapore), and the Americas (US; with close collaborators at MIT Sloan and Stanford PACS), and academic home at the University of St.Gallen (HSG), working to advance sustainable finance in private wealth as a key lever for social and environmental sustainability.
In 2025, CSP established the CSP Foundation in Zurich as the global coordinating node, bringing together our various entities under a unified strategy to maximize impact in sustainable finance education and research.
Position Overview
The Global Director for Advancement will play a pivotal role in securing CSP's long-term sustainability and global impact by leading comprehensive development (fundraising) and alumni engagement strategies across all CSP entities. This position offers a unique opportunity to build and implement advancement infrastructure and strategy for a leading organization in sustainable finance education and research.
This is a relationship-driven, strategically focused role requiring exceptional donor cultivation skills, operational excellence in development systems, and the ability to orchestrate complex, multi-stakeholder fundraising campaigns across international entities.
Tasks Key Responsibilities
Global Fundraising Strategy and Execution (50%)
Design and lead the comprehensive global fundraising strategy for CSP across regions, defining all aspects of fundraising campaigns including: the who (donor prospects and solicitors), what (ask content, presentations, proposals), where, when, and how (logistics and execution) Design and coordinate annual fundraising campaigns and implementation of an annual fund program to enable each CSP entity to raise needed funds for operations and growth Lead design and development of a 2 - 3 year $25 million+ endowment campaign for the CSP Foundation, including strategies for major gifts, foundation grants, and annual fund programs
Prospect Research and Pipeline Management
Lead comprehensive prospect research activities to identify and qualify potential donors across all giving levels, including wealth screening and philanthropic interest analysis Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospects, including foundations, tracking readiness and capacity for major gifts Develop detailed prospect profiles and briefing materials for cultivation activities
Relationship Development and Solicitation
Develop and steward relationships with high-net-wealth individuals, family offices, and institutional donors, personally cultivating donor relationships with the goal of making up to six-figure asks where personal connections are strong Coordinate and prepare leadership and board members for donor meetings and solicitations Develop pitch decks, grant proposals, and all other necessary collateral Manage the cultivation-to-solicitation timeline and process for major gift prospects
Donor Stewardship
Design and implement comprehensive stewardship programs for all donor levels, ensuring timely and personalized acknowledgment of gifts Create meaningful recognition and engagement opportunities for donors Develop impact reporting and communications to demonstrate philanthropic outcomes
Development Operations and Data Management
Manage all fundraising-related data and systems, ensuring data integrity, accessibility, and establishing best practices for donor prospecting, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship Develop systems and processes for tracking and reporting on fundraising activities and metrics Create compelling case statements, fundraising materials, and donor communications while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and best practices in international fundraising
Alumni Relations & Engagement (30%)
Strategic Alumni Programming
Build and lead a global alumni engagement strategy, integrated with the fundraising strategy, across all CSP entities Oversee comprehensive offerings for CSP's growing alumni network, helping to build their capacity as sustainable finance leaders and increase their engagement with CSP Create opportunities for alumni to remain involved with CSP's mission and contribute to its growth
Collaboration with Growth Initiatives
Work extremely closely with the Director of Growth to create seamless alumni engagement pathways Support alumni engagement around referrals for training programs and encourage alumni registration for level 2 programs Develop integrated strategies that move alumni along the engagement continuum from program completion to active ambassadorship and philanthropic support
Regional and Global Programming
Develop and implement programs to maintain strong connections with alumni worldwide Coordinate with regional alumni managers to ensure consistent, high-quality alumni experiences globally
Team Leadership and Coordination (20%)
Provide strategic direction and management to reports (0.5 FTE Operations and Fundraising Manager, 1.0 FTE Senior Manager Alumni), building their as well as the larger global team’s capacity in donor relations, prospect research, and advancement best practices Coordinate advancement activities across CSP's entities in EMEA, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, fostering collaboration between fundraising and alumni engagement functions Report to Management Team on advancement strategy, progress, and opportunities
Success Metrics
Within the first 18 months, the Global Director for Advancement will:
Establish a global fundraising strategy with clear goals, timelines, and accountability across all CSP entities Build a qualified prospect pipeline of 50+ major gift prospects ($50K+) and lead implementation of the strategy with key staff and stakeholders Personally cultivate and solicit at least 10 major gift prospects Launch the $25 million endowment campaign with documented case for support and campaign plan Implement donor database systems and reporting protocols across all entities Increase alumni engagement metrics by 30% (measured by event participation, program referrals, and communications engagement)
Requirements Essential Experience
7+ years of progressive experience in development/fundraising, with significant focus on major gifts (six and seven figures and above) and alumni relations Proven track record of personally soliciting and closing six-figure+ gifts Demonstrated success in securing seven-figure gifts and managing successful multi-million dollar fundraising campaigns Extensive experience with full-cycle fundraising: prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship Expertise in donor pipeline management and fundraising data systems Experience managing fundraising professionals and building high-performing teams
Technical Skills
Expert knowledge of contemporary donor management/fundraising CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, Blackbaud) Strong analytical skills for prospect research, wealth screening, and portfolio management Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to craft compelling proposals and cases for support Proficiency in creating donor presentations and fundraising materials
Domain Knowledge
Strong understanding of sustainable finance, impact investing, or related fields Knowledge of the sustainable finance ecosystem and key players Understanding of family office and high-net-wealth philanthropic decision-making
Personal Attributes
Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills Strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities High degree of professionalism, discretion, and ethical standards Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively across international contexts Self-starter with entrepreneurial mindset and ability to build programs from the ground up Comfort with ambiguity and ability to thrive in a dynamic, growing organization
Practical Requirements
Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus Permission to work in Switzerland or UK/EU/US as relevant to location Willingness to travel internationally (up to ~25%) Willingness to work in a hybrid set-up, depending on location
Preferred Experience
Advanced degree in relevant field Experience in higher education or research institution fundraising Experience working across multiple international entities or geographies Track record of building development programs and systems from the ground up Experience with endowment campaigns or comprehensive capital campaigns Demonstrated success engaging alumni in both philanthropic and non-financial ways
Benefits Opportunity to shape the future of sustainable finance education and research at a critical growth stage Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with Swiss NGO/Foundation standards Global exposure and networking opportunities with leaders in sustainable finance Professional development and learning opportunities Flexible working arrangements with potential for hybrid/remote work Being part of a dynamic, mission-driven team committed to global sustainability Annual personal development budget Standard Swiss vacation and benefits package (or equivalent for UK/EU/US locations)
Application Process
Please submit:
Your CV/Resume highlighting relevant fundraising achievements, including specific campaign results and gift amounts secured A detailed cover letter (2 pages max) explaining your interest, relevant experience, and fit for this role A development strategy outline (2-3 pages) describing your approach to:
Building a qualified major gifts pipeline from scratch Launching the $25 million endowment campaign Integrating alumni engagement with fundraising strategy Managing fundraising data and systems across multiple international entities Note: Due to technical limitations, please submit Item 3 together with Item 2 in a consolidated file.
Application Timeline Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Interview Process Shortlisted candidates will participate in: Initial screening interview In-depth interview with Managing Director Panel interview with Management Team members Final interview including case presentation on fundraising strategy
Equal Opportunity Statement
CSP Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives who are passionate about sustainable finance and advancing our mission.
We look forward to hearing from you!
#J-18808-Ljbffr