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About the Role

Room to Read is seeking an experienced fundraising leader to lead and grow its North America market. This role will set the market’s fundraising strategy, lead performance against an annual revenue target of approximately US$35MM+, personally manage and solicit high-value donors, and lead the North America development team. The position will build a strong, sustainable pipeline across major gifts, corporate and foundation partnerships, annual giving, legacy giving, and events. The role will collaborate with senior leaders, the North America Regional Development Board, volunteer leaders, and colleagues across Development & Communications to expand fundraising opportunities and strengthen Room to Read’s presence in the North American philanthropic market. This position is a member of the Development & Communications Department Leadership Team and reports to the Vice President, Global Business Development and Operations.

Responsibilities

Own and execute the North America fundraising strategy, translating organizational priorities into clear market goals, donor priorities, and revenue plans.
Lead achievement of the market’s annual revenue target of approximately US$35MM+ across major gifts, corporate and foundation partnerships, annual giving, legacy giving, and events.
Assess market performance, donor trends, portfolio health, and growth opportunities to determine where the team should focus time and resources.
Maintain disciplined pipeline management and forecasting, identifying risks, opportunities, and actions needed to deliver revenue goals.
Personally manage a portfolio of high-value donors and prospects, including HNW and UHNW individuals, with an expectation of raising approximately US$7-10MM+ annually through direct relationship management, collaboration on priority accounts, and major solicitations.
Build and advance a healthy pipeline through prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Guide portfolio strategy across the market to strengthen donor relationships, increase giving, and develop long-term fundraising opportunities.
Lead, coach, and develop a North America development team of approximately 3-5 staff, with clear goals and accountability for results.
Set priorities and ways of working that keep the team focused on the highest-value fundraising opportunities.
Strengthen team members’ fundraising skills, strategic judgment, donor management, and external relationship-building capabilities.
Partner with Room to Read senior leaders and the North America Regional Development Board to strengthen fundraising strategy, generate pipeline, activate networks, and support board recruitment.
Equip executives, board members, and volunteer leaders to cultivate prospects, represent Room to Read, and advance fundraising opportunities.
Serve as a senior external representative for Room to Read in donor meetings, events, and other market-facing opportunities.
Lead the fundraising strategy for signature North America events, including the annual New York City gala, ensuring events support revenue, donor cultivation, pipeline development, and long-term relationships.
Partner with the Global Events team and other stakeholders to integrate events into the broader donor engagement and market growth strategy.
Identify opportunities to strengthen Room to Read’s visibility and relationships across the North American philanthropic landscape.
Collaborate across Development & Communications, including Global Business Operations, Global Partnerships, Marketing & Communications, and other markets, to strengthen fundraising execution and share effective practices.
Contribute to broader departmental strategy and maintain strong operational discipline in planning, forecasting, board management, donor data integrity, and revenue reporting.

Requirements

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located.
Room to Read is not able to provide sponsorship.
10+ years of progressive fundraising and/or business development experience, including leadership of a significant market, team, or portfolio with substantial revenue accountability.
Proven success securing six- and seven-figure gifts from HNW/UHNW individuals, foundations, and/or corporate partners.
Demonstrated track record of personally closing at least US$5MM annually in philanthropic revenue, with the ability to manage and grow a high-value donor portfolio at greater scale.
Experience developing and executing fundraising strategies for a multi-million-dollar market or portfolio.
Strong major-gift portfolio and pipeline management experience, including prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and forecasting.
Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, and developing fundraising staff.
Experience partnering with senior executives, boards, and volunteer leaders to generate and advance fundraising opportunities.
Demonstrated ability to analyze market and portfolio performance, prioritize opportunities, and adjust strategy based on results.
Experience integrating high-value events and other engagement opportunities into broader donor cultivation and revenue strategies.
Strong relationship-building and communication skills, with experience representing an organization with senior donors, prospects, and external partners.
All personnel must adhere to Room to Read’s Child Protection Policy, Child Protection Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy.

Skills

Fundraising
Business Development
Major Gifts
Corporate Partnerships
Foundation Partnerships
Annual Giving
Legacy Giving
Event Fundraising
Pipeline Management
Forecasting
Donor Cultivation
Donor Solicitation
Donor Stewardship
Team Leadership
Coaching
Staff Development
Board Engagement
Executive Engagement
Volunteer Leadership
Market Analysis
Strategic Planning
Relationship Building
Communication

Location

New York, NY

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

Director
Senior Director
10+ years

Salary/Compensations

Director: $150,000 to $170,000 annually
Senior Director: $175,000 to $200,000 annually

Benefits

100% employer-paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision coverage
50% medical and 100% dental and vision premium coverage for eligible dependents
22 days of PTO (+1 additional day accrued each year up to 27 days)
12.5 paid holidays
401(k) plan with up to a 6% match
$600/yr allowance for home office

About the Company

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow – creating lasting change.
Through our Literacy Portfolio, we train and coach teachers of the early grades in literacy instruction; create and publish quality books and curricular materials in local languages; and establish children’s libraries filled with diverse children’s books that can be enjoyed at school and home.
Our Gender Equality Portfolio supports adolescents, particularly girls, in developing life skills that promote gender equality, helping them to pursue lifelong learning and make informed decisions.
We support young people of all genders to overcome gender biases and build the knowledge and skills to create a gender-equal world.
Room to Read collaborates with local communities, partner organizations, publishers, and governments to test and implement innovative models that can be integrated into the education system to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale.
To date, Room to Read has benefited more than 50 million children in 28 countries.
Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.

Equal Opportunity

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.
Room to Read is committed to the education and welfare of children and protecting them from abuse and exploitation
Room to Read has zero tolerance for child abuse and exploitation.
All children have the right to be free from abuse and exploitation, including neglect, maltreatment, and physical, mental or sexual violence, injury or abuse.
All children should be treated with respect and dignity.
The well-being of the child is Room to Read’s first priority when dealing with all identified or suspected cases of child abuse.
Room to Read shall integrate child protection into all its organizational strategies, structures and work practices.
Room to Read Representatives must create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.
Room to Read has zero tolerance for adult sexual exploitation and abuse.
Sexual exploitation and abuse are serious violations of fundamental human rights and will not be accepted or tolerated.
All adults should be treated with respect and dignity.
Room to Read implements a survivor-centered approach, putting the survivor’s rights and dignity at the forefront.
Survivors referred to available professional assistance (e.g. mental health counselling), upon consent.