Senior Director, Business Development and Fundraising

PACT Overview A global nonprofit with experience in more than 60 countries, Pact fosters thriving, resilient communities that chart their own development paths. We deliver solutions that are rooted in evidence and driven by data.

Department Public Business Development (PUBD) - The Business Development team drives Pact's mission forward by leading the pursuit and capture of new funding from U.S. government, foundation, corporate, and institutional funders. The team leads across all parts of the fundraising cycle, from early opportunity identification, teaming strategy, and positioning, through proposal design, technical writing, and pricing. BD staff lead the proposal process end-to-end, while partnering closely with technical practice leads, country teams, and finance to build competitive, compliant bids. Ideal candidates stay organized and effective under proposal deadlines, adapt quickly when requirements or priorities, and bring a collaborative, collegial spirit to cross-team work.

Position Overview

The Senior Director, Business Development and Fundraising plays a leadership role in Pact’s new business development and fundraising function, both inward and outward facing. They are responsible for co-developing and executing a cross-organizational plan for meeting or exceeding annual sign-on targets by diversifying revenue streams, including bilateral and multilateral development agencies, foundations, corporations and corporate foundations, and other funders. Pact’s core Impact Areas include Health, Governance, Capacity Development & Innovation, and Sustainable Markets; the Senior Director will have subject matter expertise in at least one of these areas along with experience and success leading public sector bid processes. They provide strategic direction to the Business Development unit through responsive and inclusive leadership as a core member of the Business Development leadership team. They work with Impact Area leads, Country Directors, and other department staff to pursue and win new business to achieve Pact’s long-term organizational, technical, and country strategies. The Senior Director will oversee the Business Development team to ensure that Pact submits competitive, compliant proposals to public and private funders and builds relationships with private sector partners and funders. They will maintain a robust network of relationships in international development and philanthropic communities to inform their nuanced understanding of diverse donor and industry trends and the competitive landscape. The Senior Director, Business Development and Fundraising will lead a team of business development professionals and report to the Chief Development Officer.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the Business Development (BD) unit. This includes managing a BD team ensuring BD team’s role and function aligns with organizational goals and structure; leading and executing strategic growth priorities.

Maximize existing relationships and help source new prospects; identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward support from private funders, including foundations, corporations, and corporate foundations, to secure new investments and diversify Pact’s pipeline.

Contribute to the implementation of Pact’s three-year strategy, including setting agenda and execution of plans for new business prospecting and fundraising.

In collaboration with the Chief Development Officer, lead implementation of diversified development strategy in line with strategic plan and annual goals by leading change management, process improvements, strategic growth, and other initiatives.

Work with iComms and Programs teams to develop external communications, proposals, and pitches demonstrating impact and aligning with shared priorities for diverse funder audiences.

Provide high-level oversight and when needed, personally lead and execute the proposal development process. This includes contributing to go/no-go decisions; supporting BD managers to resource bids, such as identifying consultants; conducting color team / gate reviews; providing technical assistance for proposals in area(s) of subject matter expertise; advising and providing written inputs and other targeted support for strategic bids; ensuring alignment with funder priorities; and ensuring quality, compliant and on-time bid submission.

Advise on donor and client relationships, partnerships, and pre-bid intelligence especially for large, strategic new business opportunities, including global awards and institutional partnerships.

Serve as a subject matter expert in at least one of Pact’s Impact Areas to support program design and strategic positioning and growth.

With Country Directors and Impact Area Leads, ensure that regional and Impact Area business development strategies align with donor trends and priorities, as well as Pact’s competitive strengths.

Capture best practices and lessons learned to improve business development tools, methodologies, approaches, and practices and procedures contributing to more successful bids, especially to diversify revenue streams.

With other Business Development team leadership, lead retention strategies related to professional development, work-life balance, process improvements, team culture, etc.

Engage collaboratively across departments to support ongoing organizational improvement initiatives, organizing training and supporting the ethos that new business is everyone’s business.

Make informed recommendations and decisions about investment of resources that align with Pact’s competitive strengths and priorities for growth.

Lead on the collection and analysis of key new business metrics, updating executive leadership and/or Board on a quarterly and ad-hoc basis.

Provide updates and recommendations to executive leadership to drive decisions and exercise judgment in elevating issues, especially around competing priorities.

Remain current on industry trends through independent research and relationship building with donors, partners, small businesses, and competitors.

Represent Pact at external events, including industry meetings, networking opportunities, and conferences to build new strategic partnerships.

Model of Pact’s values of Respect, Integrity and Inclusion, including fostering a culture that contributes to GEDI.

All other duties as assigned

Basic Requirements

Master’s degree and 12+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, including 7 years of management experience.

Track record of winning new work from public sector donors, such as US Department of State or other USG entities, UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, World Bank or other multilaterals, Global Affairs Canada.

Subject matter expertise in one or more of Pact’s impact areas (Capacity Development, Global Health, Governance, Sustainable Markets

Excellent oral communication skills, including an ability to effectively present complex ideas to diverse audiences; superior written communication skills, including an ability to revise the written work of others for improved clarity

Understanding of current funder and industry trends and the overall competitive landscape

Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills

Demonstrated ability to have influence without direct authority

Ability to travel internationally, often on short notice

Demonstrated ability to work cross-culturally with collegiality, humility, and respect

Fluency in English

Preferred Qualifications

Graduate degree in a related field

Experience overseeing and coordinating with international field offices preferred

Experience winning work from foundations or corporations (private sector philanthropy)

Established network of professional relationships in funder and peer organizations

Experience living and working in countries and/or regions where Pact is present

Professional proficiency in Spanish or French

Strong preference will be given to candidates based in the Washington, DC area. Candidates outside the DC area may be considered if they reside in one of the following states where Pact is registered to employ staff: CO, DC, ID, MA, MD, MI, NV, and VA. This is a hybrid role requiring two in-office days per week.

The salary for this position is determined based on a wide variety of factors including but not limited to an individuals skill sets, experience, training, certifications, education, as well as business needs and internal equity. At Pact, employees are typically not hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are made based on the aforementioned circumstances. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $130,000-$180,000