Job title: Development Director
Reporting to: CEO
Location: Remote (ET/CET time zone desirable)
We are seeking a Development Director to join our dynamic, rapidly growing, and innovative organisation.
RELP is an impact-driven, independent nonprofit that aims to make cheaper and faster deployment of renewable energy in emerging and developing countries. We aspire to increase reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy, thereby mitigating climate change.
Our MISSION is to accelerate the transition to clean energy by unlocking renewable energy markets to scalable private investments at low prices, promoting sustainable economic development for the people.
Our prominent Advisory Board consists of Michael Liebreich, Rachel Kyte, Rebecca Collyer, Angelina Galiteva, David Rogers, Daniel Magallón, Charles Bai, Felix Zhang, and Liz Bronder as part of our team and board.
We are funded by philanthropic organisations, including the Rockefeller Foundation, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Ballmer Group, European Climate Foundation, and Packard Foundation, IKEA Foundation, Oak Foundation and Good Energies Foundation through Climate Breakthrough.
If you like challenges, you are passionate about renewable energy, and you are looking for a job with a meaningful impact in scaling up clean energy systems in the world while contributing to fighting climate change in a significant way, RELP will be a great fit for you!
Role Purpose
The Development Director (DD) grows RELP’s philanthropic revenue and co‑funding, represents RELP to major donors and partners, and embeds a high‑performing fundraising function. This new position is a pivotal part of the senior leadership team that helps drive the overall strategy and acts as a strategic ambassador for RELP locally, nationally and internationally. The DD focuses both internally and externally, representing the CEO at selected external events and leading fundraising and funder management activity in partnership with the Management Team.
The DD will report directly to the CEO on day‑to‑day matters and work closely with the COO and the rest of the Management Team on key strategy and budget decisions, leading a small team covering major gifts, foundations/grants and donor communications.
The DD translates programme strategy into donor‑ready offers with outcomes and learning, in partnership with the COO and Programme Leads.
Core Responsibilities
1) Principal giving & partnerships
* Personally manage a focused portfolio of 20–30 top prospects (foundations, collaboratives, selected family offices) and lead asks at 7‑ and 8‑figure levels, progressing to multi‑year commitments.
* Build co‑funding mechanisms (e.g. pooled funds/matches) that mobilise additional capital beyond RELP’s direct income and deliver against the Growth Plan.
2) Grants & contribution agreements
* Own the full lifecycle: prospecting, concept notes, proposals, due diligence, contracting, reporting and renewal.
* Maintain an annual calendar for reports and deliverables; ensure quality and timeliness.
3) Case for support & packaging
* Translate programme strategy into donor‑ready offers with outcomes, indicators and a learning agenda (in partnership with the COO and Programme Leads).
* Develop and maintain the case for support and donor materials; ensure message discipline across channels.
4) External representation
* Act as a strategic ambassador for RELP in priority markets; represent the CEO where appropriate.
* Convene targeted briefings with peer funders and partners; speak at relevant forums.
* Develop and manage partnerships with aligned organisations that enhance RELP’s activities and impact.
* Support the CEO, COO and Management Team to build relationships with stakeholders (government officials, NGOs, corporate partners and donors).
5) Systems, pipeline & forecasting
* Own CRM discipline, pipeline stages and a monthly forecasting; report to the CEO/Management Team with variance analysis.
* Track and report capital mobilised via co‑funding as a distinct KPI.
* Work closely with the COO, Operations/Admin and Management on planning and budgeting, including forecasting and reporting.
6) Governance, ethics & risk
* Uphold RELP’s gift acceptance policy; oversee donor due diligence, sanctions/AML checks, safeguarding/conflict‑of‑interest processes, and GDPR‑compliant data practices.
* Staff the Board Development/Resource Committee (once established); support board giving and introductions.
Required Leadership Skills
Growth Strategy and Management:
This individual takes a hands-on approach to leading priority initiatives. The ideal candidate has a strong record of delivering performance-led, outcome-driven programmes and teams, and has designed and implemented growth strategies that have taken a programme or organisation to its next stage. They bring credible experience in climate and energy projects and are comfortable operating at the interface of policy, finance and implementation.
Exceptional Communication and Influencing Skills:
As a voice and advocate for RELP, the DD is a clear and confident communicator in writing and in person. They can translate complex technical and policy topics into concise, donor-ready messages, and build trust with senior stakeholders across governments, multilaterals, foundations and partners. They are effective in professional settings and public fora and can act as spokesperson for the organisation when asked. Native-level proficiency in English is required.
Team Building and Development:
The successful candidate has recruited, managed and developed high-performing teams of staff, programme/project managers and development professionals. They operate as a player-coach, setting clear standards and objectives, providing constructive feedback and mentoring, and fostering a collaborative, low-ego culture that enables colleagues to deliver at pace inside and outside RELP.
Work schedule:
* Full-time position.
* Fully remote (ET / CET time zones).
* Flexibility to travel
Our Value proposition:
* Competitive fee.
* International work environment.
* Flexibility and work-life balance.
* Paid Time Off
* Learning Programme
Be part of a high-impact project that makes a difference to people and the planet. Develop your knowledge and experience in an excellent work environment and challenging projects. Work and learn from a professional and expert team renowned in the renewable energy field.
Anti-discrimination statement:
RELP is an equal opportunity talent acquisition player. You are welcome no matter where you come from, what you believe, or what you look like. All applicants are considered regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. We are interested to see what you can bring to the organisation. We are convinced that our different views, talents, and personalities make us better at understanding ourselves and our partners, and inspire us to think differently.
How to apply:
Send us your resume and a cover letter to jobs@relp.ngo, indicating the job code (Development Director - EU/UK)