Director of Business Development Operations, Potlikker Capital
Organization Overview
Potlikker Capital is dedicated to fostering sustainable agriculture and creating equitable access to capital for underserved communities. Our mission supports small farmers, ranchers, and food producers by providing the financial resources necessary to build sustainable and equitable food systems. We are committed to addressing systemic inequities and driving transformative change through innovative funding and operational strategies.
Job Description
Potlikker Capital is seeking to expand its operation by adding an experienced, mission-driven Director of Business Development Operations to join the Development Team.
The Director of Business Development Operations will serve as a key leader, driving the strategic vision, execution, and oversight of Potlikker Capital’s fundraising and business development efforts. This role is responsible for leading high-impact initiatives to cultivate, secure, and steward a diverse range of funding sources, including major gifts, grants, and philanthropic investments. The ideal person is an organizer at heart and believes in values-based and community-centric fundraising. They are experienced in building relationships with foundation funders and individual donors, have strong interpersonal skills, and are excited by the opportunity to be involved with new, as well as established, development projects.
The Director will oversee operational frameworks, manage donor and partner relationships, and work cross-functionally to ensure alignment with organizational goals. This position will also support fundraising for local coalition work, statewide and regional networks, and fiscally sponsored projects. The Business Development leader needs to be a perceptive listener, a clear and persuasive writer, a good storyteller, and adept at identifying opportunities to build support for our work. The ideal candidate is an experienced leader with a proven track record of securing high-value funding, implementing strategic business development initiatives, and managing partnerships in mission-driven organizations.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Fundraising
- Develop and lead comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure annual, major, endowment, and capital gifts.
- Build and maintain relationships with high-net‑worth individuals, foundations, and corporate donors, ensuring tailored stewardship plans.
- Drive innovative approaches to philanthropic engagement, identifying opportunities for long‑term funding sustainability.
- Manage a portfolio of fund advisors and high‑potential prospects.
- Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for long‑term donor relationships.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward fund advisors and prospects.
- Forge long‑term relationships to secure principal gifts (gifts of $1,000,000+).
- Business Development Leadership
- Oversee all business development operations, including partnership cultivation, grant applications, and strategic funding initiatives.
- Identify and secure new funding opportunities, including grants, contracts, and corporate sponsorships that align with Potlikker Capital’s mission.
- Expand the organization’s donor base by leveraging networks, partnerships, and strategic outreach efforts.
- Operational Oversight
- Establish and refine business development processes and systems, including CRM tools, to optimize tracking, reporting, and resource allocation.
- Develop metrics‑driven dashboards to evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising and business development efforts.
- Collaborate with the finance and program teams to align fundraising goals with organizational priorities and operational needs.
- Partnership Development
- Forge strategic partnerships with mission‑aligned organizations, corporations, and institutions to expand funding streams and collaborative opportunities.
- Act as the primary liaison for key stakeholders, representing Potlikker Capital in external meetings, conferences, and forums.
- Team Leadership and Collaboration
- Lead a team of business development and fundraising professionals, fostering growth, accountability, and innovation.
- Work cross‑functionally with marketing, program, and finance teams to ensure integrated strategies and unified messaging.
- Data‑Driven Strategy and Reporting
- Utilize data analytics to inform strategy and track progress against organizational goals.
- Provide executive‑level reporting on business development operations, offering insights to support decision‑making and growth strategies.
Qualifications
Experience: 5‑10 years in business development, fundraising, or nonprofit management, with a proven track record of securing high‑value gifts and partnerships. Experience in a community foundation setting is beneficial. Demonstrated track record of soliciting/closing principal and major gifts of $1 million and above.
- Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, related field or equivalent years of experience.
- Skills
- Expertise in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for major gifts, endowments, and philanthropic investments.
- Exceptional strategic planning and leadership skills, with experience in designing and executing comprehensive funding strategies.
- Strong proficiency in CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) and project management tools.
- Outstanding communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to inspire trust and collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
- Experience in managing metrics‑driven reporting and performance evaluations to inform continuous improvement.
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Preferred Qualifications
- Background in agriculture, environmental sustainability, or social impact‑driven sectors.
- Proven success in managing large grants, multi‑stakeholder partnerships, and philanthropic initiatives.
- Familiarity with impact investing, social enterprise models, and reparative capital frameworks, and donor databases.
- Four or more years of experience as senior‑level development professional or senior‑level nonprofit manager at an organization with a $2+ million annual budget.
- Familiarity with development practices for 501(c)(4) organizations.
Apply By
Mar 1, 2025
Location
Remote (Dover, DE)
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