Vice President of Development

Rockstar is recruiting for a mission-driven non-profit organization dedicated to equipping the next generation of Americans with the skills to communicate and collaborate across lines of difference. This organization partners with U.S. colleges and universities, providing curricular programming for students, professional development for faculty and staff, and strategic guidance to leadership. Co-founded by psychologist Jonathan Haidt, bestselling author of The Righteous Mind and The Anxious Generation, the organization aims to foster constructive dialogue at every level and create the conditions for lasting organizational change.

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About the Role

The organization is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial leader to serve as Vice President of Development. Reporting to the Co-Founder and Executive Director, the Vice President will lead the development strategy and oversee all aspects of philanthropic revenue—including major donors, foundations, and regional funders.

This is both a strategic and hands-on role. The Vice President will build and drive a comprehensive development function from the ground up: cultivating a personal portfolio, closing significant gifts, developing systems and materials, and laying the foundation for future team growth. The ideal candidate brings 10–12 years of fundraising experience, a track record of securing major gifts, and the mindset of a builder who moves fast, brings fresh ideas, and leads with clarity and confidence.

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Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy

- Lead the organization’s fundraising strategy, with accountability for setting and achieving ambitious, sustainable philanthropic revenue goals in partnership with the Executive Director

- Work closely with the Growth Team to identify and match funders to aligned programmatic and institutional opportunities

- Design and lead thoughtful engagement—updates, convenings, and learning opportunities—that effectively leverage team members

- Represent the organization externally at donor meetings, conferences, and events

Relationship Management

- Identify, manage, and grow a portfolio of institutional and high-net-worth donors—driving cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

- Strategically direct the Executive Director’s involvement with funders for greatest impact

Grants & Fundraising Communications

- Lead development and submission of compelling grant proposals, reports, and donor materials

- Maintain and refine core assets—case studies, pitch decks, templates, and messaging

- Ensure all deliverables reflect the organization’s voice, strategy, and impact

Systems & Operations

- Build and manage HubSpot and development systems for accurate data, pipeline tracking, and reporting

- Oversee grant tracking, deadlines, and donor relationship milestones

- Partner with Finance on forecasting and philanthropic reporting

- Develop scalable infrastructure—workflows, tools, and documentation—to support growth

- Define and execute short- and long-term staffing strategy for the development function, in collaboration with Operations

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About You

- 10–12+ years of fundraising experience, including at least 3 in a leadership role shaping and executing development strategy

- Proven track record securing six- and seven-figure gifts from both foundations and individuals

- Skilled relationship-builder who earns trust with individuals across the ideological spectrum

- Strategic and entrepreneurial—brings vision, takes initiative, and generates ideas that move fundraising forward

- Strong communicator who translates complex work into compelling narratives and cases for support

- Equally comfortable zooming out and diving in—able to manage a portfolio, write proposals, run systems, and drive strategy

- Exceptionally organized and self-motivated—keeps details tight, systems running, and work moving without hand-holding

- Deeply aligned with the organization’s mission and excited to help bridge divides and promote constructive dialogue

- Bonus: background in academia or higher education

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Benefits

- Compensation: $175,000 – $195,000

- A Mission-Driven Culture: a work culture characterized by intellectual humility, continuous improvement, and open-mindedness

- Remote-First: founded as a remote-first organization, with a strong team culture maintained across vast distances

- Unlimited PTO — plus 13 company holidays

- Remote Work Support: up to $500 reimbursed for home office equipment (desks, chairs, webcams) and up to $50/month reimbursed for home internet or cell phone expenses

- Other Benefits: employer-supported health, vision, and dental plans; subsidized parental leave; 3% 401k match; short- and long-term disability insurance; life and AD&D insurance; $1,000 annual professional development budget