To learn more about this job and Climate Central, please click here.

About Climate Central

Day to day, our scientists, technology experts, and communications professionals work together to spotlight the local effects of climate change across the US and globally. We identify trends, look for solutions, and package that information in ways that help people understand how a heating planet is affecting them here and now. 

The direct products of this multi-disciplinary teamwork include eye-catching graphics, newsworthy stories, research reports, photorealistic visualizations, web-based tools and new datasets – all designed to bring home (literally and figuratively) the impacts of climate change. 

Our nationally distributed team is nimble and reacts quickly to changing conditions. We boost our effectiveness by using tech and trusted messengers as “force multipliers.” These partners include:

• Meteorologists, who use our graphics and data in local TV weather reports and in social media;
• Journalists at print, broadcast, and web outlets who use our tools, cover our reports, and work with us to develop stories about local impacts of climate change;
• Government officials at all levels whom we help communicate more effectively with their constituents about how extreme weather threatens lives and property;
• Educators who incorporate our research and graphics into their curricula;
• NGOs in the US and around the world who can boost our signal even farther;

Our strategy is designed to reach more people more often and with more impact, which is the key to fulfilling our objective: To inform and build public will for effective responses to climate change and empower decision-makers to act now. Our ultimate goal is a safer and healthier climate for all. 

Climate Central remains committed to advancing the science of climate change towards practical and fair solutions. As a trusted, independent source of data and analysis, we do not take policy positions or party lines.

Our current annual budget is around $11.5M, with plans to grow to $14M by 2027. Established in 2008, our board includes prominent scientists, philanthropists, business leaders, and communicators. Our staff is led by CEO and Chief Scientist Dr. Benjamin Strauss from our offices in Princeton, New Jersey.

Our Impact and Highlighted Accomplishments

• In 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, Climate Central’s work directly contributed to an average of at least 100 news stories per day, including 17,000 stories about our Climate Shift Index.
• In one year alone, Climate Matters content appeared in more than 8,000 TV segments and our network grew by 24%, broadening the reach of trusted, science-based reporting.
• In 2024, we conducted 56 trainings that taught 4,000 trusted messengers how to use Climate Central’s data for maximum impact.
• Media in 150 nations have covered our research and used the tools developed by our program on Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding.
• Our online sea level tools, led by Coastal Risk Finder, have helped over 10,000,000 users worldwide see, communicate about, and plan for threats to their coastal communities.
• The Climate Shift Index earned a 2024 Anthem Award as one of the best uses of online technology. The Anthem Awards were established to recognize each year's best purpose and mission-driven work from around the world.
• Climate Central’s Edge of America Tour collected data along 7,260 miles of US coastline from Maine to Mexico and can now provide photorealistic visualizations of storm surges anywhere a hurricane might strike along the Gulf or Atlantic coasts.

About the Opportunity 

Climate Central seeks a talented Chief Development Officer (CDO) to join a dynamic team at a time of new leadership and opportunity. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Development Officer is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and will play a crucial role in driving organizational growth and sustainability. This person will develop and implement a strategy that encourages continued support of Climate Central’s mission and programs and promotes a culture of philanthropy. Working closely with the CEO and the board, the CDO will define the organization’s vision and direction to achieve philanthropic goals, ensuring Climate Central’s growth and success; establish and cultivate relationships with core funding partners and prospects; lead an expanding team of development professionals; and serve as an ambassador of the organization.

Climate Central has been working with Orr Group for the past four months to complete a thorough assessment focused on how to increase philanthropic revenue. Now, we are looking for the right experienced leader to bring the roadmap from theory to action. This position is ideal for an entrepreneurial, results-driven development leader who is committed to climate science, effective communication, and a safe and healthy climate for all. 

About the Role

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute a scalable development strategy and fundraising plan to align with Climate Central’s plans to diversify revenue, increase fundraising capacity, and restructure the development team to meet the organization’s needs. 
• Identify, cultivate and solicit a dynamic portfolio of around 50 principal-level individual and institutional donors, driving cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities. Co-own around half of the portfolio with the CEO.
• Lead a development team of 4-6 fundraisers and support staff to help them reach the combined goal of $12-$14M annually.
• Serve as an external spokesperson and chief fundraiser for Climate Central, articulating our impact, amplifying the mission, and successfully balancing (at times) a rigorous travel schedule, meeting with potential and current funders.
• Refine and leverage Climate Central’s case for support, tailoring to secure gifts of $100K+.
• Identify giving opportunities, channels and prospects nationwide, to establish new relationships and networks of support.
• Work closely with department leaders to produce compelling messaging and ensure collaboration across Climate Central verticals. 
• Own the messaging and marketing collateral used by the Development team, ensuring it matches both the needs of the team and the organization.
• Curate bespoke donor events for the purposes of engagement and stewardship.
• Encourage a culture of philanthropy across Climate Central, communicating philanthropic goals throughout the organization and equipping colleagues and board members to reach them. Lead the Development Committee of the board.

• Develop and monitor the department budget and expenses.
• Set and invest the development team in annual fundraising metrics, including prospect meetings and touchpoints, new prospect identification, gift commitments, and donor retention.
• Manage the development team to accurately project revenue and track progress towards goals. Produce reports for senior management, the board, and staff regarding projected and achieved goals.
• Develop, lead, attract, inspire, retain, and manage a diverse, talented, and high-performing team, to ensure that the mission and core values of Climate Central are put into practice by holding everyone accountable for quantifiable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Implement and manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects, including a CRM or database and wealth screening tools.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Required Skills and Experience

Skills and Experiences

• At least fifteen (15) years of experience developing and executing winning fundraising strategies is required
• Proven success soliciting and securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individual donors and philanthropic foundations, along with managing ongoing relationships with donors
• A proven track record of increasing donors and increasing their contributions outside of a natural core funding base such as alumni, patients, families, etc.
• Demonstrated success fundraising from a variety of sources, including individuals, private foundations, the private sector, and government agencies
• Ability to think critically and leverage data in decision-making
• Understanding of and/or enthusiasm to learn about climate science, the environment, and communications. Experience in one or more of these spaces is preferred.
• Ability to lead internal and external stakeholders in collaboratively achieving the reality of a broad vision
• Exceptional relationship management and networking skills required to establish and advance significant funding partnerships
• Demonstrated success leading a remote team to meet annual goals
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, along with evidence of the ability to present to a wide array of audiences. Experience translating science to the public is preferred.
• Proficient in Salesforce, along with a keen interest and strong facility in exploring and adopting new technologies to meet goals and work more efficiently
• CFRE Certification preferred

Attributes and Competencies

• Strategic thinker, ready and eager to further develop and drive Climate Central’s development strategy and fundraising success across multiple verticals
• Well-suited to leadership in an entrepreneurial, collegial setting; excited to be part of a “roll-up-your-sleeves” culture

• Advanced problem-solving skills, flexibility and adaptability
• Energetic, positive outlook – a natural “people” person
• Exceptional connector, at ease identifying, cultivating, and stewarding new donors
• Unquestionable integrity and commitment to professional ethics, and the ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Collaborative, flexible, and innovative leadership and managerial style
• Ability to instill upbeat team culture and manage a growing team with shifting responsibilities

Compensation

The expected base salary range for this position is $170,000-$190,000. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Climate Central offers generous benefits including:

• Medical benefits
• Dental/ Vision benefits
• More than 7 weeks of paid vacation and holidays available annually
• 12 weeks of paid family leave
• 401k with up to 12% matching
• Partial college tuition for children of employees who qualify

Location and Employment Eligibility

This position can be mostly remote, in accordance with Climate Central organizational policy. Presence at headquarters or other U.S.-based locations is required for periodic team and organizational meetings, events and convenings. Climate Central’s headquarters are in Princeton, N.J. Candidates must be eligible for employment in the United States.

Equal Employment Opportunity at Climate Central

Climate Central is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee on the basis of race, color, religious creed, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other classification protected by applicable discrimination laws.

How To Apply

To be considered for this search, please apply via this link. Please upload your resume and a cover letter describing your interest in this role.