Director, Strategic Relationships

Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

About Heifer International

In 1944, Heifer International’s founder, Dan West, began outlining a simple but groundbreaking plan to tackle hunger around the world. West, a farmer from the Midwest and Church of the Brethren member, had recently returned from feeding weary refugees during volunteer service in the Spanish Civil War.

He had seen firsthand that giving people food was a short-term solution, whereas providing them with animals offered a steady supply of nutritious food for an entire family. His philosophy still inspires Heifer’s work today. Partnering with farmers across a range of different livestock and crops, we create unique solutions to local challenges.

Today, Heifer International has operations in 19 countries around the world, working alongside local farmers, business owners and their communities, as they mobilize and envision their futures. Together, we build inclusive, resilient economies, so communities can develop effective ways to end global hunger and poverty in a sustainable way.

To date, we have supported more than 42 million farming families across Africa, Asia and the Americas and in the past five years alone. We have worked alongside 2.7 million families to close the living income gap or set them on a path to doing so. Between now and 2030, we will support an additional 10 million people to reach a living income by scaling up our signature programs. To achieve this, Heifer International relies on its passionate, committed, and highly skilled staff.

ROLE FUNCTION

The Director of Strategic Relationships leads strategy, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention efforts for a portfolio of strategic partners with the capacity to make meaningful multi-year, six-, seven, and eight-figure investments in Heifer International's mission. As a member of the Revenue & Partnerships Cultivation (RPC) team, this role contributes to a globally connected resource mobilization network by partnering across Heifer’s global network of resource mobilization experts to identify, develop, and advance donor opportunities. Working closely with the Vice President of Philanthropy and Strategic Giving and colleagues across Heifer, this role builds a strong pipeline, develops tailored proposals and engagement strategies, and grows revenue through collaborative, donor-centered relationship management.

This role is expected to blend savvy frontline relationship management with cross-functional internal coordination, coaching, and influencing, proposal development, donor communications, and disciplined use of CRM and moves management systems to inspire donors to partner with Heifer in our mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

Funder Relationship and Portfolio Management (55%)

• In partnership with leadership and global colleagues, establish annual fundraising goals and an integrated short- and long-term strategy for securing strategic, 7-8 figure gifts across multiple donor audiences.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of prospects and funders, building a healthy pipeline through strategic identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention.
• Collaborate across global business development, programs, and RPC teams to develop tailored donor engagement plans, proposals, concept notes, and other fundraising materials that translate programmatic information into compelling funding opportunities which align donor priorities with Heifer programs and geographies.
• Coordinate the co-management of donor relationships, ensuring seamless stewardship and transitions as funder priorities evolve or expand across multiple programs, geographies, and strategic funding opportunities.
• Deepen knowledge of Heifer’s mission, program model, and impact so the role can confidently respond to donor questions and present funding opportunities in a timely, informed way.
• Use donor insight to segment and prioritize partners, develop and implement individualized engagement strategies that deepen relationships, expand funding opportunities, and maximize long-term philanthropic investment.
• Adhere to ethical fundraising practices and maintain professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality in all donor interactions.

Cross-Functional Integration & Influence (30%)

• Contribute to a new organizational approach to strategic partnerships that unlocks large, flexible, mission-aligned, and long-term funding opportunities from a broad range of donors and positions Heifer for long-term financial sustainability and impact growth.
• Partner with country teams to develop and operationalize tailored fundraising strategies, including identifying high-potential funders, opening doors to prospective partners, and shaping initial engagement and funding asks.
• Model and champion strong CRM practices by consistent and timely documenting donor engagement, correspondence, next steps, and proposal activity; leverage CRM data, pipeline reporting, and donor intelligence to actively manage portfolio health, forecast revenue, identify risks and opportunities, and influence consistent, strategic CRM use across teams.
• Work with Heifer Foundation colleagues when connected opportunities arise.
• Influence global communications strategies to effectively position Heifer as a partner of choice for large individuals, organizations, and funder networks

Collaboration and Special Projects (15%)

• Contribute to a globally connected fundraising culture by sharing donor intelligence, coordinating strategies across teams, mentoring colleagues, and identifying opportunities for collaborative engagement that advance Heifer's business model.
• Partner with senior leadership, communications, programs, and other internal stakeholders to shape donor-facing opportunities and strengthen organizational alignment.
• Participate in internal planning discussions and special initiatives that advance our mission.
• Support special projects and strategic initiatives that strengthen the team’s overall growth and success.
• May perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent education and experience.
• A minimum of ten years of progressive experience in large gift fundraising with a proven track record of securing 7-8 figure gifts from a variety of funders.
• Minimum of 7 years of fundraising management and leadership.
• Experience/proven success working with funders in the international development space.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-capacity funders or institutional. partners, with experience developing tailored asks based on partner interests.
• Strong record of building and managing relationships that lead to measurable fundraising results.
• Excellent writing, presentation, relationship-building, and project management skills.
• Experience with CRM systems and disciplined recordkeeping.

Most Critical Proficiencies

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
• Ability to independently manage the portfolio, set priorities, and move opportunities forward in a fast-paced environment
• Strong proposal writing and donor communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and influence without authority in a highly-matrixed, networked organization.
• Detail-oriented, organized, energetic, positive, collaborative, and timely.
• Demonstrated ability in change management leadership and comfort navigating ambiguity, evolving priorities, and organizational complexity.
• Commitment to Heifer’s mission, values, and model.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands

• Proven interpersonal and communication skills, with the aptitude to relate to individuals and groups diplomatically and tactfully. This role utilizes many forms of communication with the expectation of daily telephone, face-to-face, and electronic communication with global colleagues and the public.
• Willingness and capability to work effectively from a home office, as well as travel frequently both nationally and internationally.
• Commitment to Heifer’s mission, Cornerstones values, and model. Knowledge of international development and the overall nonprofit sector with awareness of the context in which nonprofit organizations operate.

Salary Information:

• The U.S. salary range for this position is $145,000 to $165,000 annually. Placement within the range will be based on the experience and competency level of the candidate. Please apply to the Director of Strategic Partnerships role by September 30, 2026.
• In addition, please submit a cover letter with your application to be considered for this role.

What We Offer:

• Heifer International offers a variety of benefits for U.S. based employees working 30 or more hours per week.
• Health and wellness benefits including Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Saving Account
• Employee assistance program
• 403(b) retirement plan (match 1% employee to 2% employer up to a maximum of 4% match +3% employer discretionary contribution regardless of employee contribution)
• 22 vacation days in addition to 12 statutory and discretionary holidays, and 10 sick days per year
• Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
• Professional development and annual merit increase opportunities
• Optional critical illness insurance, legal assistance plan and pet protection
• And more!

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of disability.